1. Ocean and coastwise.
2. Lakes, bays and sounds.
3. Rivers.
Qualifications for the officers properly vary according to these three classes of service, to which is added a number of other special classifications, as, for instance, ferry steamers on rivers, passenger barges on rivers, etc.; or in the case of engineers, as, for instance, condensing river steamer and noncondensing river steamer. These requirements are set forth in full detail in the Regulations of the Steamboat Inspection Service, with which all officers should be familiar.
Certain minimum requirements in the case of deck officers have been prescribed by statute, the latest law being that of March 11, 1918, which with certain minor exceptions, provides for one licensed master for every vessel; for vessels 1,000 gross tons or over, three licensed mates, and for vessels between 200 and 1,000 tons, two licensed mates; for vessels between 100 and 200 tons, one licensed mate. The inspectors, however, are permitted to increase these requirements if they consider the vessel not sufficiently manned for safe navigation.
The same law of 1918 prohibits officers from assuming deck watches on leaving port unless they have had at least six hours off duty within the twelve hours preceding sailing; and also prohibits licensed officers on both ocean and coastwise vessels from doing duty exceeding nine hours of any twenty-four while in port, or more than twelve hours of any twenty-four while at sea, except in case of emergency endangering life or property.
VIII. Qualifications of Seamen
Before the passage of the Seamen's Act in 1915, there were no statutory requirements as to the ability or experience of the crew, other than the general requirement that the vessel should be properly manned. This act, however, presents a body of highly stringent requirements. Its principal requirements may be summarized as follows: