46 CFR 97.27-5: Master's and officer's responsibility for watches
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section says that nothing in this part excuses a master or officer in command from the consequences of neglecting certain duties. These duties include keeping a proper lookout and a proper fire watch. It also requires additional watches when circumstances call for them.
Applies toThis section applies to any master or officer in command.
What it says
Nothing in this part excuses a master or officer in command from the consequences of neglecting to keep a proper lookout or to maintain a proper fire watch.
46 CFR 97.27-5(a)“Nothing in this part shall exonerate any master or officer in command from the consequences of any neglect to keep a proper lookout or to maintain a proper fire watch”
Nothing in this part excuses a master or officer in command from the consequences of neglecting any precaution required by the ordinary practice of seamen or by the special circumstances of the case.
46 CFR 97.27-5(a)“or from any neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen or by the special circumstances of the case”
When circumstances require it, additional watches must be maintained to guard against fire or other danger and to give an alarm in case of accident or disaster.
46 CFR 97.27-5(a)“When circumstances require it, additional watches shall be maintained to guard against fire or other danger and to give an alarm in case of accident or disaster.”
Common questions
Does compliance with this part relieve a master of responsibility for lookout?
No. Nothing in this part excuses a master or officer in command from the consequences of neglecting to keep a proper lookout.
“Nothing in this part shall exonerate any master or officer in command from the consequences of any neglect to keep a proper lookout”
When must additional watches be kept on a vessel?
Additional watches must be maintained when circumstances require it. They guard against fire or other danger and give an alarm in case of accident or disaster.
“When circumstances require it, additional watches shall be maintained to guard against fire or other danger”
Is a master responsible for precautions not listed in this part?
Yes. The master or officer in command is not excused from neglecting any precaution required by the ordinary practice of seamen or by the special circumstances of the case.
“any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen or by the special circumstances of the case”
The text of 46 CFR 97.27-5
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Master's and officer's responsibility
(a) Nothing in this part shall exonerate any master or officer in command from the consequences of any neglect to keep a proper lookout or to maintain a proper fire watch or from any neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen or by the special circumstances of the case. When circumstances require it, additional watches shall be maintained to guard against fire or other danger and to give an alarm in case of accident or disaster.
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.