46 CFR 15.710: Working hour limits for credentialed mariners

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section describes 46 U.S.C. 8104, which limits working hours, sets rest periods, and prohibits unnecessary work on Sundays and certain holidays when the vessel is in a safe harbor. The Master or Person in Charge is responsible for ensuring these limits are met. Under 46 U.S.C. 8104(f), the Master or another credentialed officer can require crew to work for certain listed needs.

Applies toThe section applies to credentialed officers and crew members, and to the Master or Person in Charge responsible for meeting the limits.

What it says

  1. 46 U.S.C. 8104 sets limits on the working hours of credentialed officers and crew members and prescribes certain rest periods.

    “46 U.S.C. 8104 sets limitations on the working hours of credentialed officers and crew members, prescribes certain rest periods”

  2. 46 U.S.C. 8104 prohibits unnecessary work on Sundays and certain holidays when the vessel is in a safe harbor.

    “prohibits unnecessary work on Sundays and certain holidays when the vessel is in a safe harbor”

  3. The Master or Person in Charge is responsible for ensuring that these limitations are met.

    “It is the responsibility of the Master or Person in Charge to ensure that these limitations are met.”

  4. Under 46 U.S.C. 8104(f), the Master or other credentialed officer can require any part of the crew to work when, in their judgment, they are needed for maneuvering, shifting berth, mooring, or unmooring.

    46 CFR 15.710(a)“Maneuvering, shifting berth, mooring, unmooring;”

  5. Under 46 U.S.C. 8104(f), the Master or other credentialed officer can require crew to work when, in their judgment, they are needed for work necessary for the safety of the vessel, or the vessel's passengers, crew, or cargo.

    46 CFR 15.710(b)“Performing work necessary for the safety of the vessel, or the vessel's passengers, crew, or cargo;”

  6. Under 46 U.S.C. 8104(f), the Master or other credentialed officer can require crew to work when, in their judgment, they are needed for saving of life onboard another vessel in jeopardy.

    46 CFR 15.710(c)“Saving of life onboard another vessel in jeopardy; or,”

  7. Under 46 U.S.C. 8104(f), the Master or other credentialed officer can require crew to work when, in their judgment, they are needed for fire, lifeboat, or other drills in port or at sea.

    46 CFR 15.710(d)“Performing fire, lifeboat, or other drills in port or at sea.”

Common questions

Who is responsible for making sure working hour limits are met?

The Master or Person in Charge is responsible for ensuring that the limitations are met.

“It is the responsibility of the Master or Person in Charge to ensure that these limitations are met.”

Can a Master require crew to work for drills?

Yes. Under 46 U.S.C. 8104(f), the Master or other credentialed officer can require any part of the crew to work when, in their judgment, they are needed for fire, lifeboat, or other drills in port or at sea.

“Performing fire, lifeboat, or other drills in port or at sea.”

What does 46 U.S.C. 8104 say about work on Sundays and holidays?

The section says 46 U.S.C. 8104 prohibits unnecessary work on Sundays and certain holidays when the vessel is in a safe harbor.

“prohibits unnecessary work on Sundays and certain holidays when the vessel is in a safe harbor”

The text of 46 CFR 15.710

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

Working hours

In addition to prescribing watch requirements, 46 U.S.C. 8104 sets limitations on the working hours of credentialed officers and crew members, prescribes certain rest periods, and prohibits unnecessary work on Sundays and certain holidays when the vessel is in a safe harbor. It is the responsibility of the Master or Person in Charge to ensure that these limitations are met. However, under 46 U.S.C. 8104(f), the Master or other credentialed officer can require any part of the crew to work when, in their judgment, they are needed for:

(a) Maneuvering, shifting berth, mooring, unmooring;

(b) Performing work necessary for the safety of the vessel, or the vessel's passengers, crew, or cargo;

(c) Saving of life onboard another vessel in jeopardy; or,

(d) Performing fire, lifeboat, or other drills in port or at sea.

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.