(a) Before proceeding either upon a foreign, intercoastal, or coastwise voyage (including a voyage on the Great Lakes) listed in paragraph (b) of this section or with the engagement or replacement of a merchant mariner for such a voyage, each master or individual in charge of a vessel or seagoing barge of the United States must execute shipping articles however prepared, manually or electronically. The master or individual in charge and each mariner engaged or replaced must sign the articles.

(b) Except as provided by § 14.203 of this subpart, articles are required upon each voyage by a vessel of the United States—

(1) Of 100 GRT or more, on a foreign voyage, which is a voyage from a port in the United States to any foreign port other than a port in—

(i) Canada;

(ii) Mexico; or

(iii) The West Indies.

(2) Of 75 GRT or more on a voyage between a port of the United States on the Atlantic Ocean and a port of the United States on the Pacific Coast; or

(3) Of 50 GRT or more on a voyage between a port in one State and a port in another State other than an adjoining State.

Although they may be used for the voyage; shipping articles are not required for any voyage by—

(a) A yacht;

(b) A vessel engaged exclusively in fishing or whaling;

(c) A vessel aboard which the merchant mariners are by custom or agreement entitled to participate in the profits or results of a cruise or voyage;

(d) A vessel employed exclusively in trade on the navigable rivers of the United States; or

(e) A ferry, or a tug used in ferrying, if the vessel is employed exclusively in trade on the Great Lakes, other lakes, bays, sounds, bayous, canals, or harbors.

On engagement for a voyage upon which shipping articles are required, each merchant mariner must present to the master or individual in charge of the vessel every document, certificate, credential, or license required by law for the service the mariner would perform.

(a)(1) The content and form of shipping articles for each vessel of the United States of 100 GRT or more upon a foreign or intercoastal voyage must comply with the requirements of 46 U.S.C. 10302,10303,10304,and. The articles must identify the nature of the voyage and specify at least the name, license, MMD or MMC number, capacity of service, time due onboard to begin work, name and address of the next of kin, and wages due to each merchant mariner, either who was discharged or whose services were otherwise terminated during the month.

(2) The content and form of articles for each such vessel upon a coastwise voyage (including a voyage on the Great Lakes) must also comply with the requirements of 46 U.S.C. 10502. The articles must specify at least the matter identified by paragraph (a)(1) of this section, except that they must not specify the wages due to the mariner. The wages section of the form must be left blank for coastwise voyages.

(b) Any shipping company that manually prepares the articles may, upon request, obtain a form from the Coast Guard.

(c) Any company that electronically prepares the articles may develop its own software or buy it off the shelf; but, in either of these cases, it must secure approval to use the software for these purposes from the National Maritime Center at any of the addresses provided in § 14.103 of this part.

Each master or individual in charge of a vessel when shipping articles are required must prepare an original and two copies of the articles. The original and one copy must be signed by the master or individual in charge and by each merchant mariner; but the second copy must not be signed by any of them.

On commencement of a foreign, intercoastal, or coastwise voyage (including a voyage on the Great Lakes), each master or individual in charge of a vessel when shipping articles are required must ensure that a legible copy of the articles, unsigned by the mariner, and without the next of kin information, is posted at a place accessible to the crew.

(a) When a vessel of the United States sails upon a foreign, intercoastal, or coastwise voyage (excluding a voyage on the Great Lakes), each master or individual in charge must, at the commencement of the voyage, send one copy of shipping articles, signed by the master and by each merchant mariner, to the owner, charterer, or managing operator. The master must keep the original throughout the voyage and enter in it all charges made to the crew during the voyage.

(b) When a vessel of the United States sails exclusively on the Great Lakes—

(1) Each master or individual in charge must, at the commencement of the season, or once the vessel is put into service, whichever occurs earlier, send one copy of articles, signed by the master and by each mariner, to the owner, charterer, or managing operator;

(2) The master or individual in charge must every 60 days send supplementary particulars of engagement covering each mariner engaged during this period, signed by the master and by each mariner, to the owner, charterer, or managing operator; and

(3) The master or individual in charge must, at the close of the season, or once the vessel is withdrawn from service, whichever occurs later, send articles, signed by the master and by each mariner, to the owner, charterer, or managing operator.

(c) When a vessel of the United States sales exclusively on bays or sounds, each master or individual in charge must, at least every 60 days, send articles, signed by the master and by each mariner, to the owner, charter, or managing operator.

(d) Any person who fails to comply with the requirements of this section is subject to a civil penalty of $5,000.