(a)
There must be an individual holding an MMC or license endorsed as chief engineer or other credential authorizing service as chief engineer employed on board the following inspected mechanically propelled vessels:
(1)
Seagoing or Great Lakes vessels of 200 gross tons and over.
(2)
Offshore supply vessels of more than 200 gross tons.
(3)
Inland (other than Great Lakes) vessels of 300 gross tons and over, if the OCMI determines that an individual with a license or the appropriate MMC officer endorsement responsible for the vessel's mechanical propulsion is necessary.
(b)
An individual engaged or employed to perform the duties of chief engineer on a mechanically propelled, uninspected, seagoing, documented vessel of 200 gross tons or over must hold an appropriately endorsed license or MMC authorizing service as a chief engineer.
[CGD 81-059, 52 FR 38652, Oct. 16, 1987, as amended by USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11262, Mar. 16, 2009]