---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 122.304"
title: "46"
number: "122.304"
heading: "Navigation underway."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/122.304"
---

# §122.304. Navigation underway.

- (a) The movement of a vessel shall be under the direction and control of the master or a licensed mate at all times. The master shall operate the vessel keeping the safety of the passengers and crew foremost in mind by directing the vessel in order to prevent a casualty. Special attention should be paid to:
  - (1) The current(s) velocity and direction of the transmitting area;
  - (2) Tidal state;
  - (3) Prevailing and forecasted visibility and environmental conditions, including wind and waves;
  - (4) Density of marine traffic;
  - (5) Potential damage caused by own wake;
  - (6) The danger of each closing visual or radar contact;
  - (7) Vessel's handling characteristics; and
  - (8) **Magnetic variation and deviation errors of the compass.**
- (b) [Reserved]

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 935, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended by 62 FR 51352, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2007-0030, 75 FR 78082, Dec. 14, 2010; USCG-2014-0688, 79 FR 58283, Sept. 10, 2014]

### Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306, 6101; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.2, paragraph (II)(92)(a).

### Source

Source: CGD 85-080, 61 FR 935, Jan. 10, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 935, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended by 62 FR 51352, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2007-0030, 75 FR 78082, Dec. 14, 2010; USCG-2014-0688, 79 FR 58283, Sept. 10, 2014]