46 CFR 15.845: Lifeboat Operator requirements for vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section covers the Lifeboat Operators a vessel must carry. Part 199 of this chapter sets the number required. On vessels subject to STCW, the individual must also hold an STCW endorsement for Proficiency in Survival Craft.

Applies toVessels that must carry Lifeboat Operators under part 199 of this chapter, and vessels subject to STCW for the endorsement requirement.

What it says

  1. Part 199 of this chapter specifies the number of Lifeboat Operators a vessel must have.

    46 CFR 15.845(a)“The number of Lifeboat Operators required for a vessel is specified in part 199 of this chapter”

  2. On a vessel not equipped with lifeboats, a Lifeboat Operator may be replaced by a Lifeboat Operator-Limited.

    46 CFR 15.845(a)“on vessels not equipped with lifeboats, a Lifeboat Operator may be replaced by a Lifeboat Operator-Limited”

  3. On vessels subject to STCW, the individual meeting the requirement of this section must also hold an STCW endorsement for Proficiency in Survival Craft.

    46 CFR 15.845(b)“On vessels subject to STCW, the individual meeting the requirement of this section must also hold an STCW endorsement for Proficiency in Survival Craft”

  4. The STCW endorsement requirement has an exception for vessels on domestic near-coastal voyages, as noted in § 15.105(g).

    46 CFR 15.845(b)“except as noted in § 15.105 (g) for vessels on domestic near-coastal voyages”

Common questions

How many Lifeboat Operators does a vessel need?

Part 199 of this chapter specifies the number of Lifeboat Operators required for a vessel.

“The number of Lifeboat Operators required for a vessel is specified in part 199 of this chapter”

Can a Lifeboat Operator-Limited replace a Lifeboat Operator?

Yes, on vessels not equipped with lifeboats, a Lifeboat Operator may be replaced by a Lifeboat Operator-Limited.

“on vessels not equipped with lifeboats, a Lifeboat Operator may be replaced by a Lifeboat Operator-Limited”

Does a Lifeboat Operator need an STCW survival craft endorsement?

On vessels subject to STCW, the individual must also hold an STCW endorsement for Proficiency in Survival Craft. Section 15.105(g) notes an exception for vessels on domestic near-coastal voyages.

“must also hold an STCW endorsement for Proficiency in Survival Craft, except as noted in § 15.105 (g) for vessels on domestic near-coastal voyages”

The text of 46 CFR 15.845

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

Lifeboat Operators

(a) The number of Lifeboat Operators required for a vessel is specified in part 199 of this chapter; however, on vessels not equipped with lifeboats, a Lifeboat Operator may be replaced by a Lifeboat Operator-Limited.

(b) On vessels subject to STCW, the individual meeting the requirement of this section must also hold an STCW endorsement for Proficiency in Survival Craft, except as noted in § 15.105 (g) for vessels on domestic near-coastal voyages.

Sections it refers to

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.