Regulations last checked for updates: Oct 18, 2024

Title 46 - Shipping last revised: Oct 15, 2024
§ 140.670 - Use of auto pilot.

Except for towing vessels in compliance with requirements in 33 CFR 164.13(d), when an automatic pilot is used in areas of high traffic density, conditions of restricted visibility, or any other hazardous navigational situations, the master must ensure that:

(a) It is possible to immediately establish manual control of the ship's steering;

(b) A competent person is ready at all times to take over steering control; and

(c) The changeover from automatic to manual steering and vice versa is made by, or under, the supervision of the officer in charge of the navigational watch.

authority: 46 U.S.C. 3103,3301,3306,3308,3316,8104,8904; 33 CFR 1.05; DHS Delegation 0170.1
source: USCG-2006-24412, 81 FR 40101, June 20, 2016, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 46 CFR 140.670