---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 140.670"
title: "46"
number: "140.670"
heading: "Use of auto pilot."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/140.670"
---

# §140.670. Use of auto pilot.


Except for towing vessels in compliance with requirements in [33 CFR 164.13(d)](/cfr/33/164.13.md?p=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.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 3103, 3301, 3306, 3308, 3316, 8104, 8904; 33 CFR 1.05; DHS Delegation 0170.1.

### Source

Source: USCG-2006-24412, 81 FR 40101, June 20, 2016, unless otherwise noted.