OFFICERS AND MERCHANT SEAMEN 171 



Registration of pursers and surgeons; creation of staff depart- 

 ments on vessels; medical division; purser's division; oath or 

 affirmation 



46 U.S.C. 244 



Each staff officer receiving a certificate of registry under the pro- 

 visions of sections 242-248 of this title shall make oath or affirma- 

 tion before an officer empowered to administer oaths, to be designated 

 by the Commandant, that he will faithfully and honestly perform 

 all the duties required of him by law. No such staff officer shall be 

 required to obtain any other certificate of service or efficiency or 

 behavior as a condition of service in such capacity other than as 

 herein provided. 



Registration of pursers and surgeons; creation of staff depart- 

 ments on vessels ; medical division ; purser's division ; members 

 of Naval Reserve, insignia 



46 U.S.C. 245 



(a) Staff officers registered under the provisions of sections 242- 

 248 of this title who are members of the Naval Reserve shall wear 

 on their uniforms such special distinguishing insignia as may be 

 approved by the Secretary of the Navy. 



(b) The uniform stripes, decoration, or other insignia to be worn 

 by such officers shall be of gold braid or woven gold or silver mate- 

 rial, and no member of the ship's crew other than such staff officers 

 shall be allowed to wear any uniform with such staff officer's identi- 

 fying insignia. 



Registration of pursers and surgeons; creation of staff depart- 

 ments on vessels; medical division; purser's division; offenses; 

 penalties; Great Lakes. 



46 U.S.C. 246 



(a) It shall be unlawful to employ any person or for any person 

 to serve in any grade or perform the duties of any grade specified 

 in section 242 of this title on any such vessel of the United States 

 designated tlierein unless he shall be in bona fide possession of a 

 certificate of registry, issued under the provisions of sections 242- 

 248 of this title, as an officer in such grade; and anyone violating 

 this provision shall be liable to a penalty of $100 for each offense: 

 Provided^ That in the event no registered staff officer is available 

 and obtainable at the time of sailing, the vessel may sail with an 

 unregistered staff officer or without any staff officer: Provided fur- 

 ther^ That such staff officer shall not be included in the vessel's in- 

 spection certificate. 



(b) Any staff officer registered under the proAasions of sections 

 242-248 of this title who shall change by addition, interpolation, or 

 erasure of any kind, any certificate of registry referred to in this 

 section shall have his registry and his certificate of registry revoked 

 and be punished by a fine of not more than $100: Provided^ That 

 the provisions of said sections shall not apply to any vessel of the 

 United States operated on bays, sounds, inland waterways, and lakes. 



