46 CFR 15.815: Radar Observer endorsement requirements

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section says who must hold an endorsement as Radar Observer. It covers deck officers on inspected, radar-equipped vessels of 300 GRT or over, and Pilots on radar-equipped vessels of 300 GRT or over. It also covers certain Masters and Mates on radar-equipped towing vessels of 8 meters (26 feet) or more in length.

Applies toDeck officers on inspected vessels, Pilots, and certain towing vessel Masters and Mates on radar-equipped vessels, as described in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c).

What it says

  1. Each person in the required complement of deck officers, including the Master, on inspected vessels of 300 GRT or over that are radar equipped must hold an endorsement as Radar Observer.

    46 CFR 15.815(a)“Each person in the required complement of deck officers, including the Master, on inspected vessels of 300 GRT or over which are radar equipped, must hold an endorsement as Radar Observer.”

  2. Each person employed or serving as Pilot in accordance with Federal law on radar-equipped vessels of 300 GRT or over must hold an endorsement as Radar Observer.

    46 CFR 15.815(b)“Each person who is employed or serves as Pilot in accordance with Federal law onboard radar-equipped vessels of 300 GRT or over must hold an endorsement as Radar Observer.”

  3. A person who must hold an MMC officer endorsement under 46 U.S.C. 8904(a) to serve as Master or Mate on a towing vessel of 8 meters (26 feet) or more in length must hold a Radar Observer endorsement if the vessel is equipped with radar.

    46 CFR 15.815(c)“Each person having to hold an MMC officer endorsement under 46 U.S.C. 8904(a) for employment or service as Master or Mate onboard a towing vessel of 8 meters (26 feet) or more in length must, if the vessel is equipped with radar, hold an endorsement as Radar Observer.”

  4. Until July 22, 2024, a person may satisfy the requirements in paragraph (a), (b), or (c) by having immediately available a valid course completion certificate from an appropriate Coast Guard-approved or accepted radar course issued within the previous 5 years.

    46 CFR 15.815(d)“Until July 22, 2024, a person may satisfy the requirements in paragraph (a), (b), or (c) by having immediately available a valid course completion certificate”

Common questions

Does a ship's Master need a Radar Observer endorsement?

Yes, on inspected vessels of 300 GRT or over that are radar equipped. The Master is part of the required complement of deck officers.

“Each person in the required complement of deck officers, including the Master, on inspected vessels of 300 GRT or over which are radar equipped, must hold an endorsement as Radar Observer.”

Do pilots need a Radar Observer endorsement?

Yes. A person employed or serving as Pilot in accordance with Federal law on radar-equipped vessels of 300 GRT or over must hold the endorsement.

“Each person who is employed or serves as Pilot in accordance with Federal law onboard radar-equipped vessels of 300 GRT or over must hold an endorsement as Radar Observer.”

Do towing vessel Masters and Mates need a Radar Observer endorsement?

Yes, if they must hold an MMC officer endorsement under 46 U.S.C. 8904(a) as Master or Mate on a towing vessel of 8 meters (26 feet) or more in length that is equipped with radar.

“Each person having to hold an MMC officer endorsement under 46 U.S.C. 8904(a) for employment or service as Master or Mate onboard a towing vessel of 8 meters (26 feet) or more in length must, if the vessel is equipped with radar, hold an endorsement as Radar Observer.”

The text of 46 CFR 15.815

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

Radar Observers

(a) Each person in the required complement of deck officers, including the Master, on inspected vessels of 300 GRT or over which are radar equipped, must hold an endorsement as Radar Observer.

(b) Each person who is employed or serves as Pilot in accordance with Federal law onboard radar-equipped vessels of 300 GRT or over must hold an endorsement as Radar Observer.

(c) Each person having to hold an MMC officer endorsement under 46 U.S.C. 8904(a) for employment or service as Master or Mate onboard a towing vessel of 8 meters (26 feet) or more in length must, if the vessel is equipped with radar, hold an endorsement as Radar Observer.

(d) Until July 22, 2024, a person may satisfy the requirements in paragraph (a), (b), or (c) by having immediately available a valid course completion certificate from an appropriate Coast Guard-approved or accepted radar course that was issued within the previous 5 years.

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.