140 LAWS GOVERNING MARINE INSPECTION 



that of coal passer or wiper in the engine department of vessels re- 

 quired by this section to have such certificated men or proof that he 

 is a graduate of a school ship approved by and conducted under rules 

 prescribed by the Commandant of the Coast Guard. 



Requirements as to watches; duties of seamen; hours of work; 

 penalty ; right of seamen to discharge ; effective date 



46 U.S.C. 673 



In all merchant vessels of the United States of more than one 

 hundred tons gross, excepting those navigating rivers, harbors, lakes 

 (other than Great Lakes), bays, sounds, bayous, and canals, ex- 

 clusively, the licensed officers and sailors, coal passers, firemen, 

 oilers and water tenders shall, while at sea, be divided into at least- 

 three watches, which shall be kept on duty successivel)' for the 

 performance of ordinary work incident to the sailing and manage- 

 ment of the vessel : Provided^ That in the case of radio-telegraph 

 operators this requirement shall be applicable only when three or 

 more radio officers are employed. No licensed officer or seaman in 

 the deck or engine department of any tug documented under the 

 laws of the United States (except boats or vessels used exclusively 

 for fishing purposes) navigating tlie Great Lakes, harbors of the 

 Great Lakes, and connecting and tributary waters between Gary, 

 Indiana ; Duluth, Minnesota ; Niagara Falls, New York ; and Ogdens- 

 burg. New York, shall be required or permitted to work more than 

 eight hours in one day except in cases of extraordinary emergency 

 affecting the safety of the vessel and/or life or property. The sea- 

 men shall not be shipped to work alternately in the fireroom and 

 on deck, nor shall those shipped for deck duty be required to work 

 in the fireroom, or vice versa; nor shall any licensed officer or sea- 

 man in the deck or engine department be required to work more than 

 eight hours in one day; but these provisions shall not limit either 

 the authority of the master or other officer or the obedience of the 

 seamen w^hen in the judgment of the master or other officer the 

 w^hole or any part of the crew are needed for maneuvering, shifting 

 berth, mooring, or unmooring the vessel, or the performance of 

 work necessary for the safety of the vessel, her passengers, crew, 

 and cargo, or for the saving of life aboard other vessels in jeopardy, 

 or when in port or at sea, from requiring the whole or any part 

 of the crew to participate in the performance of fire, lifeboat, or 

 other drills. While such vessel is in a safe harlwr no seaman shall 

 be required to do any unnecessary work on Sundays or the following- 

 named days: New Year's Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, 

 Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, but this shall not prevent 

 the dispatch of a vessel on regular schedule or when ready to 

 proceed on her voyage. And at all times while such vessel is in 

 a safe harbor, eight hours, inclusive of the anclior Avatch, shall con- 

 stitute a day's Avork. "Whenever the master of an}' vessel shall fail 

 to comply with this section and the regulation issued thereunder, 

 the owner shall be liable to a penalty not to exceed $500, and the 

 seamen shall be entitled to discharge from such vessel and to receive 

 the wages earned. But this section shall not apply to vessels engaged 



