StacksVerified U.S. regulatory reference

46 CFR §131.960

Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
When the automatic pilot is used in areas of high traffic density, conditions of restricted visibility, or any other hazardous navigational situations, the master shall ensure that—
  1. (a)It is possible to immediately establish manual control of the vessel's steering;
  2. (b)A competent person is ready at all times to take over steering control; and
  3. (c)The changeover from automatic to manual control of the vessel's steering and the reverse is made by, or under the supervision of, the master or officer of the watch.