---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 185.410"
title: "46"
number: "185.410"
heading: "Watchmen."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/185.410"
---

# §185.410. Watchmen.

- (a) The owner, charterer, master, or managing operator of a vessel carrying overnight passengers shall have a suitable number of watchmen patrol throughout the vessel during the nighttime, whether or not the vessel is underway, to guard against, and give alarm in case of, a fire, man overboard, or other dangerous situation.
- (b) Vessels described by [46 CFR 175.110(d)](/cfr/46/175.110.md?p=d) must submit plans to the cognizant OCMI, in accordance with [46 CFR 176.700](/cfr/46/176.700.md), for the installation and use of monitoring device to ensure the wakefulness of the watchmen required in [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section. Vessels with a keel laid date after March 28, 2022, must include plans for the monitoring device(s) within the plan submissions required in [46 CFR 177.202](/cfr/46/177.202.md). The Coast Guard will work with the vessel operators to determine a reasonable implementation schedule once the plans are accepted. The monitoring device(s) must:
  - (1) Ensure the wakefulness of the crew in the event that the watchman required in [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section is unresponsive;
  - (2) Remain operable during the nighttime watch; and
  - (3) Be arranged to ensure proper coverage of the passenger accommodation spaces, common areas, and spaces with potential fire hazards.

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 1005, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51359, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2021-0306, 86 FR 73172, Dec. 27, 2021]

### 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 1005, Jan. 10, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 1005, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51359, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2021-0306, 86 FR 73172, Dec. 27, 2021]