---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 115.114"
title: "46"
number: "115.114"
heading: "Alternative requirements for a vessel operating as other than a small passenger vessel."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/115.114"
---

# §115.114. Alternative requirements for a vessel operating as other than a small passenger vessel.

- (a) When authorized by the cognizant OCMI by an endorsement of the vessel's Certificate of Inspection, a small passenger vessel carrying six or less passengers, or operating as a commercial fishing vessel or other uninspected vessel, or carrying less than twelve passengers and operating as a recreational vessel, need not meet requirements of:
  - (1) Subparts [C](/cfr/46/subpartC.md), [D](/cfr/46/subpartD.md), and E, of [part 117](/cfr/46/part117.md) of this chapter if the vessel is in satisfactory compliance with the lifesaving equipment regulations for an uninspected vessel or recreational vessel in similar service;
  - (2) [Subpart C of part 116](/cfr/46/part116-subpartC.md) of this chapter and subchapter S of this chapter if the vessel is in satisfactory compliance with applicable regulations for an uninspected vessel or recreational vessel in a similar service or if the owner of the vessel otherwise establishes to the satisfaction of the cognizant OCMI that the vessel is seaworthy for the intended service; and
  - (3) Sections [121.404](/cfr/46/121.404.md), [121.408](/cfr/46/121.408.md), and [121.410](/cfr/46/121.410.md) of this subchapter providing the vessel is in satisfactory compliance with any navigational equipment requirements for an uninspected or recreational vessel in a similar service.
- (b) **A vessel operating under the alternative regulations of paragraph (a) of this section must—**
  - (1) Not alter the arrangement of the vessel nor remove any equipment required by the certificate for the intended operation, without the consent of the cognizant OCMI;
  - (2) Comply with minimum manning specified on the Certificate of Inspection, which may include reduced manning depending on the number of passengers and operation of the vessel;
  - (3) When carrying from one to six passengers except for a vessel being operated as a recreational vessel, make the announcement required by [§ 122.506(a)](/cfr/46/122.506.md?p=a) of this subchapter before getting underway; and
  - (4) If a vessel of more than 15 gross tons, not carry freight for hire.
- (c) The endorsement issued under [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section must indicate the route, maximum number of passengers, and the manning required to operate under the provisions of this section.

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 892, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended by USCG-2014-0688, 79 FR 58283, Sept. 29, 2014]

### Authority

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3205, 3306, 3307; 49 U.S.C. App. 1804; E.O. 11735, 38 FR 21243, 3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 277; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

### Source

Source: CGD 85-080, 61 FR 892, Jan. 10, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 892, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended by USCG-2014-0688, 79 FR 58283, Sept. 29, 2014]