46 CFR 140.1005: Suspension and revocation of mariner credentials

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section says an individual who holds a license, certificate of registry, merchant mariner document, or merchant mariner credential is subject to proceedings for suspension or revocation. The proceedings fall under 46 U.S.C. 7703 and 7704, and part 5 of this chapter. The section lists four grounds: misconduct, negligence or incompetence; dangerous drug use or addiction; violating this subchapter or other marine safety laws; and becoming a security risk.

Applies toAn individual who holds a license, certificate of registry, merchant mariner document, or merchant mariner credential.

What it says

  1. An individual who holds a license, certificate of registry, merchant mariner document, or merchant mariner credential is subject to proceedings under 46 U.S.C. 7703 and 7704, and part 5 of this chapter, if one of the listed grounds applies.

    “An individual is subject to proceedings under the provisions of 46 U.S.C. 7703 and 7704, and part 5 of this chapter with respect to suspension or revocation of a license, certificate, document, or credential”

  2. An individual who commits an act of misconduct, negligence or incompetence is subject to these proceedings.

    46 CFR 140.1005(a)“Commits an act of misconduct, negligence or incompetence;”

  3. An individual who uses or is addicted to a dangerous drug is subject to these proceedings.

    46 CFR 140.1005(b)“Uses or is addicted to a dangerous drug; or”

  4. An individual who violates or fails to comply with this subchapter, or any other law or regulation intended to promote marine safety, is subject to these proceedings.

    46 CFR 140.1005(c)“Violates or fails to comply with this subchapter or any other law or regulation intended to promote marine safety; or”

  5. An individual who becomes a security risk, as described in 46 U.S.C. 7703, is subject to these proceedings.

    46 CFR 140.1005(d)“Becomes a security risk, as described in 46 U.S.C. 7703.”

Common questions

Can my mariner credential be suspended or revoked for violating Subchapter M?

Yes. An individual who holds a covered license, certificate of registry, document, or credential and violates or fails to comply with this subchapter is subject to suspension or revocation proceedings.

“Violates or fails to comply with this subchapter or any other law or regulation intended to promote marine safety; or”

Does drug use put a mariner's license at risk?

Yes. An individual who uses or is addicted to a dangerous drug is subject to proceedings for suspension or revocation.

“Uses or is addicted to a dangerous drug; or”

Which documents can be suspended or revoked under this section?

The section covers an individual who holds a license, certificate of registry, merchant mariner document, or merchant mariner credential.

“if the individual holds a license, certificate of registry, merchant mariner document, or merchant mariner credential and:”

The text of 46 CFR 140.1005

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Suspension and revocation

An individual is subject to proceedings under the provisions of 46 U.S.C. 7703 and 7704, and part 5 of this chapter with respect to suspension or revocation of a license, certificate, document, or credential if the individual holds a license, certificate of registry, merchant mariner document, or merchant mariner credential and:

(a) Commits an act of misconduct, negligence or incompetence;

(b) Uses or is addicted to a dangerous drug; or

(c) Violates or fails to comply with this subchapter or any other law or regulation intended to promote marine safety; or

(d) Becomes a security risk, as described in 46 U.S.C. 7703.

Sections it refers to

  • 46 U.S.C. 7703
  • 46 U.S.C. 7704
  • part 5 of this chapter

The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.