46 CFR 15.715: Manning credit for automated vessel systems
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers Coast Guard acceptance of automated systems that replace specific personnel or reduce overall crew requirements. Acceptance depends on the system's capabilities, its reliability, and a planned maintenance program. Until a system is proven reliable, the COI specifies a manning level adequate for continuously attended operation.
What it says
Coast Guard acceptance of an automated system to replace specific personnel or reduce overall crew requirements is predicated upon the system's capabilities, its demonstrated and continuing reliability, and a planned maintenance program.
46 CFR 15.715(a)“Coast Guard acceptance of automated systems to replace specific personnel or to reduce overall crew requirements is predicated upon the capabilities of the system”
The planned maintenance program must ensure continued safe operation of the vessel.
46 CFR 15.715(a)“a planned maintenance program that ensures continued safe operation of the vessel”
The OCMI considers the capabilities of an automated system in establishing initial manning levels.
46 CFR 15.715(b)“The OCMI considers the capabilities of an automated system in establishing initial manning levels”
Until the system is proven reliable, a manning level adequate to operate in a continuously attended mode will be specified on the vessel's COI.
46 CFR 15.715(b)“until the system is proven reliable, a manning level adequate to operate in a continuously attended mode will be specified on a vessel's COI”
The vessel's Master remains responsible for determining when a continuous watch is necessary.
46 CFR 15.715(b)“It remains the responsibility of the vessel's Master to determine when a continuous watch is necessary.”
Common questions
What does the Coast Guard consider before accepting an automated system to reduce crew?
Acceptance depends on the system's capabilities, its demonstrated and continuing reliability, and a planned maintenance program that ensures continued safe operation of the vessel.
“the system's demonstrated and continuing reliability, and a planned maintenance program that ensures continued safe operation of the vessel”
What manning level goes on the COI before an automated system is proven reliable?
A manning level adequate to operate in a continuously attended mode will be specified on the vessel's COI until the system is proven reliable.
“until the system is proven reliable, a manning level adequate to operate in a continuously attended mode will be specified on a vessel's COI”
Who decides when a continuous watch is necessary on an automated vessel?
The vessel's Master remains responsible for deciding when a continuous watch is necessary.
“It remains the responsibility of the vessel's Master to determine when a continuous watch is necessary.”
The text of 46 CFR 15.715
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Automated vessels
(a) Coast Guard acceptance of automated systems to replace specific personnel or to reduce overall crew requirements is predicated upon the capabilities of the system, the system's demonstrated and continuing reliability, and a planned maintenance program that ensures continued safe operation of the vessel.
(b) The OCMI considers the capabilities of an automated system in establishing initial manning levels; however, until the system is proven reliable, a manning level adequate to operate in a continuously attended mode will be specified on a vessel's COI. It remains the responsibility of the vessel's Master to determine when a continuous watch is necessary.
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.