33 CFR § 95.015 - Operating a vessel.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s95.015"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 95.015 - Operating a vessel."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "95.015"
section_name: "Operating a vessel."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "F"
subchapter_name: "VESSEL OPERATING REGULATIONS"
part_number: "95"
part_name: "OPERATING A VESSEL WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR A DANGEROUS DRUG"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "33 U.S.C. 2071; 46 U.S.C. 2302; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1."
regulatory_source: "CGD 84-099, 52 FR 47532, Dec. 14, 1987, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "95"
---
# 95.015 Operating a vessel.
For purposes of this part, an individual is considered to be operating a vessel when:
(a) The individual has an essential role in the operation of a recreational vessel underway, including but not limited to navigation of the vessel or control of the vessel's propulsion system.
(b) The individual is a crewmember (including an officer), pilot, or watchstander not a regular member of the crew, of a vessel other than a recreational vessel.
[CGD 84-099, 52 FR 47532, Dec. 14, 1987, as amended at USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11211, Mar. 16, 2009]