(a) After loading and prior to departure, and at all other times necessary to assure the safety of the vessel, the master shall determine that the vessel complies with all applicable stability requirements in the vessel's trim and stability book, stability letter, Certificate of Inspection, and Load Line Certificate, as the case may be. The vessel may not depart until it is in compliance with these requirements.

(b) In order to fulfill the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section and avoid overloading the vessel, the master must take into account the total weight of passengers, crew, and variable loads.

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 935, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended by USCG-2007-0030, 75 FR 78082, Dec. 14, 2010]