# 46 C.F.R. § 15.720 (2026): Use of non-U.S.-credentialed personnel

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P15_S15_720

## Section

- **Citation:** 46 C.F.R. § 15.720 (2026)
- **Heading:** Use of non-U.S.-credentialed personnel
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 46 CFR: Shipping / Chapter I: COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY / Part 15: MANNING REQUIREMENTS / Subpart G: Limitations and Qualifying Factors / § 15.720: § 15.720   Use of non-U.S.-credentialed personnel.

## Text

(a) United States vessels which need to replace one or more persons while on a foreign voyage and outside the jurisdiction of the United States, in order to meet manning requirements, may use non-U.S. credentialed personnel without a TWIC, except for the positions of Master and Radio Officer, until the vessel returns to a port at which in the most expeditious manner replacements who are citizens of the United States can be obtained.
(b) The citizenship requirements of 46 U.S.C. 8103(a) and (b) and the TWIC requirement of 46 U.S.C. 70105 are waived, except for the requirement that the Master must be a U.S. citizen holding a TWIC, with respect to the following vessels:
(1) A U.S.-documented offshore supply vessel (OSV) (as that term is defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101) that is operating from a foreign port; and
(2) A U.S.-documented mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) (as that term is defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101) that is operating beyond the water above the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.
(c) The waiver provided in paragraph (b) of this section does not apply to any vessel operating in water above the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (as that term is defined in 43 U.S.C. 1331(a)).
(d) The Master must assure that any replacements of crewmembers by non-U.S. citizens made in accordance with this section will be with an individual who holds a credential that required experience, training, and other qualifications equivalent to the U.S. credential required for the position and that the person possesses or will possess the training required to communicate to the extent required by § 15.730.
ter must assure that any replacements of crewmembers by non-U.S. citizens made in accordance with this section will be with an individual who holds a credential that required experience, training, and other qualifications equivalent to the U.S. credential required for the position and that the person possesses or will possess the training required to communicate to the extent required by § 15.730.
(e) Non-U.S.-credentialed officers serving onboard vessels subject to STCW must hold a “Certificate attesting recognition” in accordance with part 11, subpart J of this subchapter. A mariner may serve for a period not to exceed 3 months onboard the vessel while the Coast Guard is processing their application for such a certificate.
[CGD 89-061, 55 FR 1212, Jan. 12, 1990, as amended by USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11261, Mar. 16, 2009; USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 78005, Dec. 24, 2013; USCG-2024-1103, 90 FR 52880, Nov. 24, 2025]

## Nearby sections

- [46 C.F.R. § 15.701 (2026) § 15.701   Officers Competency Certificates Convention, 1936.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P15_S15_701.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 15.705 (2026) § 15.705   Watches.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P15_S15_705.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 15.710 (2026) § 15.710   Working hours.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P15_S15_710.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 15.715 (2026) § 15.715   Automated vessels.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P15_S15_715.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 15.720 (2026) § 15.720   Use of non-U.S.-credentialed personnel.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P15_S15_720.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 15.725 (2026) § 15.725   Sailing short.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P15_S15_725.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 15.730 (2026) § 15.730   Language requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P15_S15_730.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P15_S15_720. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.