7 FAM 720
Definitions and Descriptions
(CT:CON-804; 04-30-2018)
(Office of Origin: CA/OCS)
7 FAM 721 definitions/descriptions
(CT:CON-111; 09-15-2005)
Classification society a non-governmental organization
that establishes safe standards for the strength of the hull and reliability of
the machinery of a vessel and may issue certificates on behalf of a government
(e.g. American Bureau of Shipping or Det Norske Veritas for the United States).
Crew of a vessel every person engaged or employed in any
capacity in the business of a vessel who has not contributed consideration for
carriage and who is paid for on board services. Passengers (see 46 U.S.C.
2101(21)) are not crew. Laborers or other persons hired locally for work
aboard ship while the vessel is in port are not crew.
Discharge dismiss from employment.
Demise charter a contract between a vessel owner and a charter
where the charter takes over the use, operation (including supplying a crew),
and navigation of the owners vessel. The level of control the demise charter
is to the level that it is considered functionally equivalent to ownership, but
title doesnt change. Agencies such as the United States Navys Military
Sealift Command often demise charter a vessel.
Foreign vessel any foreign-owned vessel or any vessel, regardless
of ownership, which is documented under the laws of a foreign country. A
vessel owned by a United States citizen, but registered under a foreign flag is
a foreign vessel.
Master the individual having command of a vessel. The
master of a United States documented vessel must be a United States citizen.
Official log book an official record for required
information pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 11301. Consular officers may certify an
entry in the official log book concerning an event of which he/she may have
personal and positive knowledge.
Owner the person to whom the vessel belongs.
Passenger vessel a vessel of at least 100 gross tons authorized
to carry more than 12 passengers including at least one passenger for hire (a
person providing consideration in return for passage) in addition to the
master, crew, or other persons employed or engaged on board a vessel in any
capacity connected with the business of the vessel. (See 46 U.S.C. 2101(22)).
Seaman an individual (except scientific personnel, a
sailing school instructor, or a sailing school student) engaged or employed in
any capacity on board a vessel. (See 46 U.S.C. 10101.)
Seaman of the United States United States citizens and
lawful resident aliens of the United States when they are sailing on a United States flag vessel under the authority of United States Coast Guard issued licenses
or merchant mariner documents.
Ships papers the Certificate of Documentation of a United States flag vessel; if a commercial vessel, a Coast Guard issued Certificate of
Inspection; its shipping articles; and its official crew list.
Shipment the signing of a crew member on board a vessel
under shipping articles.
Shipping articles a written contract of employment
entered into by a master of a United States flag vessel and a seaman employed
on the vessel.
Small passenger vessel a vessel of less than 100 gross
tons authorized to carry more than 6 passengers including at least one
passenger for hire (a person providing consideration for passage) in addition
to the master, crew, or other persons employed or engaged on board a vessel in
any capacity connected with the business of the vessel, or a vessel chartered
without crew provided and carrying more than 12 passengers. (See 46 U.S.C.
2101(35)).
Straggler a seaman who fails to join the ship without
the intent to desert.
United States public vessel any vessel, except a
warship, owned or demise chartered, and operated by a United States Government
Agency and not engaged in commercial service, e.g., some of the vessels in
service to the United States Navys Military Sealift Command. (See 46 U.S.C.
2101(24)).
United States undocumented vessel any United States vessel, not having and not required to have a certificate of documentation
issued under Federal law. (See 46 U.S.C. Chapter 121).
Vessel for the purpose of statutes and regulations concerning
this manual, includes every kind of water craft used as a means of
transportation by water except seaplanes or other aircraft.
Vessel of the United States (also known as a United
States flag vessel) a vessel documented or numbered under the laws of the United States or titled under the law of a state. (See 46 U.S.C. 2101 (46)).
7 FAM 722 THROUGH 729 UNASSIGNED