46 CFR 131.960
§ 131.960 Use of auto-pilot.
United States · 46 CFR — Shipping · Status: effective
Cite this
- Citation
- 46 CFR 131.960, § 131.960 Use of auto-pilot, United States, version 1 as recorded 2026-07-09, yourstate.us, https://yourstate.us/provision/227970
- Permanent ID
ys:prov:227970@1- SHA-256
7424646310b50c385621f83e9ad6956c7b2894aeafe12c819aa7de450f22bb20
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Full text
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.
Legislative history
This is a federal regulation, adopted through agency rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act — not enacted by a recorded vote of Congress.