46 C.F.R. Subpart 12.10—Lifeboatman
Title 46 - Shipping
Every person employed in a rating as lifeboatman on any United States vessel requiring certificated lifeboatmen shall produce a certificate as lifeboatman or merchant mariner's document endorsed as lifeboatman or able seaman to the shipping commissioner, United States collector or deputy collector of customs, or master before signing articles of agreement. No certificate of efficiency as lifeboatman is required of any person employed on any unrigged vessel, except on a seagoing barge and on a tank barge navigating waters other than rivers and/or canals. (a) An applicant to be eligible for certification as lifeboatman must meet one of the following requirements: (1) At least 1 year's sea service in the deck department, or at least 2 years' sea service in the other departments of ocean, coastwise, Great Lakes, and other lakes, bays, or sounds vessels. (2) Graduation from a schoolship approved by and conducted under rules prescribed by the Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center. (3) Satisfactory completion of basic training by a Cadet of the United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps. (4) Satisfactory completion of 3 years' training at the U.S. Naval Academy or the U.S. Coast Guard Academy including two training cruises. (5) Satisfactory completion of a course of training approved by the Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center, and service aboard a training vessel. (6) Successful completion of a training course, approved by the Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center, such course to include a minimum of 30 hours' actual lifeboat training; provided, however, that the applicant produces satisfactory evidence of having served a minimum of 6 months at sea board ocean or coastwise vessels. (b) An applicant, to be eligible for certification as lifeboatman, shall be able to speak and understand the English language as would be required in the rating of lifeboatman and in an emergency aboard ship. (c) An applicant shall be 18 years old to be certified as proficient in survival craft under STCW Regulation VI/2 (incorporated by reference in §12.01–3). [CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50460, Sept. 29, 1995; CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34537, June 26, 1997; USCG-1998–4442, 63 FR 52189, Sept. 30, 1998; USCG-1999–5610, 67 FR 66068, Oct. 30, 2002; USCG-2004–18884, 69 FR 58343, Sept. 30, 2004] (a) Before an applicant is certified as a lifeboatman, he or she shall prove to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard by oral or other means of examination, and by actual demonstration, his or her knowledge of seamanship and the ability to carry out effectively all the duties that may be required of a lifeboatman. The applicant shall demonstrate that he or she: (1) Has been trained in all the operations connected with the launching of lifeboats and liferafts, and in the use of oars; (2) Is acquainted with the practical handling of boats; and (3) Is capable of taking command of the boat's crew. (b) The examination, whether administered orally or by other means, must be conducted only in the English language and must consist of questions regarding: (1) Lifeboats and liferafts, the names of their essential parts, and a description of the required equipment; (2) The clearing away, swinging out, and lowering of lifeboats and liferafts, the handling of lifeboats under oars and sails, including questions relative to the proper handling of a boat in a heavy sea; and, (3) The operation and functions of commonly used types of davits. (c) The practical examination shall consist of a demonstration of the applicant's ability to carry out the orders incident to launching lifeboats, and the use of the boat's sail, and to row. (d) After July 31, 1998, each applicant for a lifeboatman's certificate endorsed for proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats shall be not less than 18 years old and shall produce satisfactory evidence that he or she meets the requirements of STCW Regulation VI/2 (incorporated by reference in §12.01–3), paragraph 1, and the appropriate provisions of Section A-VI/2 of the STCW Code (also incorporated by reference in §12.01–3). [CGFR 60–50, 30 FR 16640, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGD 71–161R, 37 FR 28263, Dec. 21, 1972; CGD 94–029, 61 FR 47064, Sept. 6, 1996; CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34537, June 26, 1997; USCG-1999–5610, 67 FR 66068, Oct. 30, 2002] A merchant mariner's document endorsed as able seaman is the equivalent of a certificate as lifeboatman or of an endorsement as lifeboatman and will be accepted as either of these wherever either is required by law; provided, however, that, when the holder documented as an able seaman has to be certificated as either proficient in survival craft and rescue boats or proficient in fast rescue boats, he or she shall hold an endorsement under the STCW (incorporated by reference in §12.01–3). [CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34537, June 26, 1997; CGD 95–062, 62 FR 40140, July 25, 1997, as amended by USCG-1999–5610, 67 FR 66069, Oct. 30, 2002] (a) Each person engaged or employed as a lifeboatman proficient in fast rescue boats shall hold either a certificate of proficiency in these boats or a merchant mariner's document endorsed for proficiency in them. (b) To be eligible for either a certificate of proficiency in fast rescue boats or a merchant mariner's document endorsed for proficiency in them, an applicant shall— (1) Be qualified as a lifeboatman with proficiency in survival craft and fast rescue boats under this subpart; and (2) Furnish satisfactory proof that he or she has met the requirements for training and competence of STCW Regulation, VI/2 (incorporated by reference in §12.01–3), paragraph 2, and the appropriate requirements of Section A-VI/2 of the STCW Code. [CGD 95–062, 62 FR 34537, June 26, 1997, as amended by USCG-1999–5610, 67 FR 66069, Oct. 30, 2002; USCG-2004–18884, 69 FR 58343, Sept. 30, 2004]
Title 46: Shipping
PART 12—CERTIFICATION OF SEAMEN
Subpart 12.10—Lifeboatman
§ 12.10-1 Certification required.
§ 12.10-3 General requirements.
§ 12.10-5 Examination and demonstration of ability.
§ 12.10-7 General provisions respecting merchant mariner's document endorsed as lifeboatman.
§ 12.10-9 Certificates of proficiency in fast rescue boats.
