Section 8702 specifies certain crew requirements.

Subsection (a) applies this section to the same vessels to which section 8701 applies.

Subsection (b) requires that 75 percent of the crew in each department on board a vessel understand any order spoken by the officers and that 65 percent of the deck crew be at least able seamen, except for the licensed officers. For 2-watch system vessels under section 8104, the 65-percent deck crew requirement may be reduced to 50 percent.

Subsection (c) exempts certain inland towing vessels from the able seaman requirement.

Subsection (d) prohibits anyone having a rating of less than able seamen from serving as a helmsman in congested vessel traffic or under hazardous conditions.

Subsection (e) prescribes the penalty for violation of this section.

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–324, § 732(1), inserted “as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title” after “100 gross tons” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 104–324, § 732(2), inserted “as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title” after “1,600 gross tons”.

1990—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 101–595, § 602(e)(2)(A), substituted “vessel (except a fish tender vessel engaged in the Aleutian trade)” for “vessel”.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 101–595, § 602(e)(2)(B), inserted provisions authorizing reduction to 50 percent of the deck crew in the case of a fish tender vessel engaged in the Aleutian trade.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101–380 substituted “$10,000” for “$500”.

1988—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–239 substituted “operate” for “depart from a port of the United States”.

1984—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 98–364, § 402(12)(B)(i), substituted “fishing, fish tender, or whaling” for “fishing or whaling”.

Subsec. (a)(6), (7). Pub. L. 98–364, § 402(12)(B)(ii)– (iv), added pars. (6) and (7).

Amendment by section 602(e)(2)(A) of Pub. L. 101–595 effective Nov. 16, 1990, and requirements imposed by subsec. (b)(2), as amended by section 602(e)(2)(B) of Pub. L. 101–595, effective 1 year after Nov. 16, 1990, see section 602(f) of Pub. L. 101–595, set out as a note under section 4502 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 101–380 applicable to incidents occurring after Aug. 18, 1990, see section 1020 of Pub. L. 101–380, set out as an Effective Date note under section 2701 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.

Certain fish processing vessels exempt from crew requirements of subsec. (b) of this section, see section 403(b) of Pub. L. 98–364, as amended, set out as a note under section 3302 of this title.