---identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s131.960"source: "ecfr"legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"title: "46 CFR § 131.960 - Use of auto-pilot."title_number: 46title_name: "Shipping"section_number: "131.960"section_name: "Use of auto-pilot."chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"subchapter_number: "L"subchapter_name: "OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSELS"part_number: "131"part_name: "OPERATIONS"positive_law: falsecurrency: "2026-03-24"last_updated: "2026-03-24"format_version: "1.1.0"generator: "[email protected]"authority: "33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 6101, 10104; E.O. 12234, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; E.O. 12777, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4. Section 131.990 also issued under sec. 617, Pub. L. 111-281, 124 Stat. 2905."regulatory_source: "CGD 82-004 and CGD 86-074, 62 FR 49340, Sept. 19, 1997, unless otherwise noted."cfr_part: "131"---
Identifier
/us/cfr/t46/s131.960
Currency
2026-03-24
Positive Law
No
Updated
2026-03-24
Chapter
Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security
Authority
33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 6101, 10104; E.O. 12234, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; E.O. 12777, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4. Section 131.990 also issued... 33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 6101, 10104; E.O. 12234, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; E.O. 12777, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4. Section 131.990 also issued under sec. 617, Pub. L. 111-281, 124 Stat. 2905.
# 131.960 Use of auto-pilot.When the automatic pilot is used in areas of high traffic density, conditions of restricted visibility, or any other hazardous navigational situations, the master shall ensure that—(a) It is possible to immediately establish manual control of the vessel's steering;(b) A competent person is ready at all times to take over steering control; and(c) The changeover from automatic to manual control of the vessel's steering and the reverse is made by, or under the supervision of, the master or officer of the watch.