46 CFR § 15.850 - Lookouts.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s15.850"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 15.850 - Lookouts."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "15.850"
section_name: "Lookouts."
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"
---


# 15.850 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.

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 78008, Dec. 24, 2013]