Ship Driver Maritime Laws and Licensing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is required for a commercial vessel operating on navigable US waters regarding registration?
- Only a state boating registration sticker
- Either state registration or USCG documentation depending on vessel size and use (Correct answer)
- No registration is required for commercial vessels
- International Maritime Organization (IMO) registration
Correct answer: Either state registration or USCG documentation depending on vessel size and use
Commercial vessels must either hold state registration (smaller vessels) or federal USCG documentation (5+ net tons), depending on their size, use, and trade route.
Question 2: What does STCW stand for and what is its purpose?
- Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping — sets international crew competency standards (Correct answer)
- Shipboard Traffic Control and Weather — governs harbor navigation
- Safety Training for Commercial Waterways — US inland rules
- Standard Technical Compliance Worksheet — USCG inspection checklist
Correct answer: Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping — sets international crew competency standards
STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) is an international convention setting minimum training and competency standards for merchant marine officers and crew.
Question 3: Under the Jones Act, what restriction applies to cargo shipping between US ports?
- Foreign vessels must pay a higher tariff
- Only US-built, US-flagged, US-owned, and US-crewed vessels may carry cargo between US ports (Correct answer)
- Foreign vessels may carry cargo only with a USCG permit
- All US cargo must be shipped by air
Correct answer: Only US-built, US-flagged, US-owned, and US-crewed vessels may carry cargo between US ports
The Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act of 1920) requires cargo shipped between US ports to be carried on vessels that are US-built, US-flagged, US-owned, and crewed by US citizens.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a Certificate of Inspection (COI) issued by the USCG?
- Certifies that an inspector has reviewed safety equipment
- Certifies that an inspected vessel meets USCG standards for its route, trade, and passenger/cargo capacity (Correct answer)
- Verifies the vessel's documentation number
- Approves a vessel to enter foreign ports
Correct answer: Certifies that an inspected vessel meets USCG standards for its route, trade, and passenger/cargo capacity
A COI issued to inspected USCG vessels certifies they meet federal safety standards for their specific route, trade, and authorized number of passengers and crew.
Question 5: When is a vessel required to display its state registration numbers?
- Only when operating at night
- At all times while on navigable waters, clearly visible on both sides of the bow (Correct answer)
- Only during USCG inspections
- Only in restricted waterways
Correct answer: At all times while on navigable waters, clearly visible on both sides of the bow
State registration numbers must be displayed on both sides of the forward hull (bow) at all times while on navigable waters, in contrasting colors and block letters.
Question 6: Under federal law, what are the penalties for operating a vessel while intoxicated (BUI)?
- Only a fine of up to $500
- Civil penalties up to $5,000, criminal penalties up to $5,000 and/or 1 year imprisonment (Correct answer)
- Vessel impoundment only
- Mandatory 30-day boating license suspension
Correct answer: Civil penalties up to $5,000, criminal penalties up to $5,000 and/or 1 year imprisonment
Federal BUI penalties include civil fines up to $5,000 and criminal penalties of up to $5,000 fine and/or 1 year imprisonment, with state penalties often additional.
Ship Driver Maritime Laws and Licensing 2
What is required for a commercial vessel operating on navigable US waters regarding registration?