The purpose of this part is to make sure that the safety of a vessel with automated vital systems, in maneuvering and all other sailing conditions, is equal to that of the vessel with the vital systems under direct manual operator supervision. The regulations in this part have preemptive effect over State or local regulations in the same field.

[CGD 81-030, 53 FR 17838, May 18, 1988, as amended by USCG 2006-24797, 77 FR 33874, June 7, 2012]