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www.marinelink.com MN25in the areas and on the routes where the vessel operates. The scope of the vessel?s operation must be taken into account when determining the prop- er crew. The requirements change for vessels operating in areas designated as: Oceans, Near Coastal, Great Lakes-Inland, Western Rivers or a limited local area. At the top of the chart, every UTV of at least 26 feet in length must beunder the command of an officer thatis properly credentialed. Pursuant to 46 CFR 15.610, officers with theendorsements of Master of Towing Vessels, Master of Inspected Self- Propelled Vessels greater than 200 GRT, with either an endorsement for towing vessels or accompanied by a completed Towing Officer?s Assessment Record (TOAR), or Master of Towing Vessels (Harbor Assist) or (Limited) for vessels operat- ing within the restrictions on the cre- dential. Under the rules, only one Master needs to be aboard the vessel at any given time; however, the ves- sel?s navigation and maneuvering functions can also be performed by a Mate when the Master is off watch. At the next level, the Coast Guard mandates that each person in chargeof the navigation or maneuvering of a UTV of at least 26 feet in length mustinclude one of several officer endorse- ments. Under 46 CFR 15.610, these endorsements include: Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels, Mate of Inspected Self-Propelled Vessels greater than 200 GRT with either an endorsement for towing vessels or accompanied by a completed TOAR, or Mate of Towing Vessels (Harbor Assist) or (Limited) for vessels operating within the restrictions on the credential. Depending upon the size of the crew, vessel operation duties are often shared between the Master and the Mate pursuant to the hours of service regulations applicable to the vessel. In addition to making sure that you have the proper number of officers on board, you must also make sure that the officers on board have the proper route endorsements. According to the Coast Guard?s Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular, the following route endorsements apply to towing vessels: a Master or Mate who has obtained an endorsement for Oceans is authorized to operate on oceans and on the subordinate routes of the Near Coastal and Great Lakes-Inland Waters without any additional endorsements. A Master or Mate who MN#5 (18-31):MN 2011 Layouts 5/7/2012 9:55 AM Page 25