46 CFR 15.725: Sailing short when crew is unavailable

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section lets a Master or Person in Charge continue a voyage when the vessel is deprived of a member of its complement and no appropriate credentialed personnel can be found. The Master or Person in Charge must first determine the vessel is sufficiently manned for the voyage. A report of sailing short must be filed within 12 hours after arrival at the next port, and a civil penalty may be assessed for failing to file.

Applies toIt applies to the Master or Person in Charge of a vessel that is deprived of the service of a member of its complement.

What it says

  1. When a vessel is deprived of a member of its complement and the Master or Person in Charge cannot find appropriate credentialed personnel, the Master or Person in Charge may proceed on the voyage, having determined the vessel is sufficiently manned for the voyage.

    “the Master or Person in Charge may proceed on the voyage, having determined the vessel is sufficiently manned for the voyage.”

  2. A report of sailing short must be filed with the OCMI having cognizance for inspection in the area in which the vessel is operating, or the OCMI within whose jurisdiction the voyage is completed.

    “A report of sailing short must be filed with the OCMI having cognizance for inspection in the area in which the vessel is operating, or the OCMI within whose jurisdiction the voyage is completed.”

  3. The report must explain the cause of each deficiency and must be submitted within 12 hours after arrival at the next port.

    “The report must explain the cause of each deficiency and be submitted within 12 hours after arrival at the next port.”

  4. The actions of the Master or Person in Charge are subject to review, and it must be shown the vacancy was not due to the consent, fault or collusion of the Master or other individuals specified in 46 U.S.C. 8101(e).

    “it must be shown the vacancy was not due to the consent, fault or collusion of the Master or other individuals specified in 46 U.S.C. 8101(e).”

  5. A civil penalty may be assessed against the Master or Person in Charge for failure to submit the report.

    “A civil penalty may be assessed against the Master or Person in Charge for failure to submit the report.”

Common questions

How long do I have to file a sailing short report?

The report must be submitted within 12 hours after arrival at the next port.

“The report must explain the cause of each deficiency and be submitted within 12 hours after arrival at the next port.”

Who receives the report of sailing short?

The report must be filed with the OCMI having cognizance for inspection in the area in which the vessel is operating, or the OCMI within whose jurisdiction the voyage is completed.

“A report of sailing short must be filed with the OCMI having cognizance for inspection in the area in which the vessel is operating, or the OCMI within whose jurisdiction the voyage is completed.”

What happens if I do not file a sailing short report?

A civil penalty may be assessed against the Master or Person in Charge for failure to submit the report.

“A civil penalty may be assessed against the Master or Person in Charge for failure to submit the report.”

The text of 46 CFR 15.725

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

Sailing short

Whenever a vessel is deprived of the service of a member of its complement, and the Master or Person in Charge is unable to find appropriate credentialed personnel to man the vessel, the Master or Person in Charge may proceed on the voyage, having determined the vessel is sufficiently manned for the voyage. A report of sailing short must be filed with the OCMI having cognizance for inspection in the area in which the vessel is operating, or the OCMI within whose jurisdiction the voyage is completed. The report must explain the cause of each deficiency and be submitted within 12 hours after arrival at the next port. The actions of the Master or Person in Charge in such instances are subject to review and it must be shown the vacancy was not due to the consent, fault or collusion of the Master or other individuals specified in 46 U.S.C. 8101(e). A civil penalty may be assessed against the Master or Person in Charge for failure to submit the report.

Sections it refers to

  • 46 U.S.C. 8101(e)

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.