Skip to content
LexBuild

46 CFR § 15.405 - Familiarity with vessel characteristics.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s15.405"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 15.405 - Familiarity with vessel characteristics."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "15.405"
section_name: "Familiarity with vessel characteristics."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "MERCHANT MARINE OFFICERS AND SEAMEN"
part_number: "15"
part_name: "MANNING REQUIREMENTS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "46 U.S.C. 2101, 2103, 3306, 3703, 8101, 8102, 8103, 8104, 8105, 8301, 8304, 8502, 8503, 8701, 8702, 8901, 8902, 8903, 8904, 8905(b), 8906 and 9102; sec. 617, Pub. L. 111-281, 124 Stat. 2905; and DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4."
regulatory_source: "CGD 81-059, 52 FR 38652, Oct. 16, 1987, as amended by USCG-2021-0097, 89 FR 93118, Nov. 25, 2024, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "15"
---

# 15.405 Familiarity with vessel characteristics.

Each credentialed crewmember must become familiar with the relevant characteristics of the vessel appropriate to their duties and responsibilities prior to assuming those duties and responsibilities. As appropriate, these may include, but are not limited to, general arrangement of the vessel, maneuvering characteristics, proper operation of the installed navigation equipment, proper operation of firefighting and lifesaving equipment, stability and loading characteristics, emergency duties, and main propulsion and auxiliary machinery, including steering gear systems and controls.