46 CFR 15.850: Lookout requirements and STCW endorsement

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section points to Rule 5 of the International Regulations and Rule 5 of the Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980 for the requirements to maintain a proper lookout. It says lookout is a function performed by a member of a navigational watch. On vessels subject to STCW, the individual meeting the requirement must also hold at least an STCW deck endorsement as RFPNW, except as noted in § 15.105(g) for vessels on domestic near-coastal voyages.

What it says

  1. The requirements for maintaining a proper lookout are specified in Rule 5 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, and in Rule 5 of the Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980 (33 CFR part 83).

    46 CFR 15.850(a)“The requirements for the maintenance of a proper lookout are specified in Rule 5 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1602(c))”

  2. Lookout is a function that a member of a navigational watch performs.

    46 CFR 15.850(a)“Lookout is a function to be performed by a member of a navigational watch.”

  3. On vessels subject to STCW, the individual meeting the requirement of this section must also hold at least an STCW deck endorsement as Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW), except as noted in § 15.105(g) for vessels on domestic near-coastal voyages.

    46 CFR 15.850(b)“On vessels subject to STCW, the individual meeting the requirement of this section must also hold at least an STCW deck endorsement as Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW), except as noted in § 15.105(g) for vessels on domestic near-coastal voyages.”

Common questions

Where are the lookout requirements found?

They are specified in Rule 5 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, and in Rule 5 of the Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980 (33 CFR part 83).

“The requirements for the maintenance of a proper lookout are specified in Rule 5 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1602(c))”

Who performs the lookout function?

Lookout is a function to be performed by a member of a navigational watch.

“Lookout is a function to be performed by a member of a navigational watch.”

Does a lookout need an RFPNW endorsement?

On vessels subject to STCW, the individual meeting the requirement must also hold at least an STCW deck endorsement as RFPNW. The text makes an exception as noted in § 15.105(g) for vessels on domestic near-coastal voyages.

“On vessels subject to STCW, the individual meeting the requirement of this section must also hold at least an STCW deck endorsement as Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW), except as noted in § 15.105(g) for vessels on domestic near-coastal voyages.”

The text of 46 CFR 15.850

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

Lookouts

(a) The requirements for the maintenance of a proper lookout are specified in Rule 5 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1602(c)), and Rule 5 of the Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980 (33 CFR part 83). Lookout is a function to be performed by a member of a navigational watch.

(b) On vessels subject to STCW, the individual meeting the requirement of this section must also hold at least an STCW deck endorsement as Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW), 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.