Virtually all vessels are subject to regulations enacted by the national maritime authority of the country in which they are registered — their flag state. In the United States, these regulations are written and enforced by the United States Coast Guard (USCG), pursuant to laws enacted by Congress. Under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, administered by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), vessels of any nation signatory to the convention and over a certain size, or carrying more than 12 passengers and operating internationally, also must comply with the requirements of the Convention with regard to construction, safety equipment, manning, crew training, etc. Compliance is documented in a “SOLAS Certificate” issued by the ship’s national maritime authority.

For each category of inspected vessel, there is a comprehensive set of regulatory requirements governing construction and arrangement, watertight integrity and stability, lifesaving and firefighting equipment, machinery and electrical systems, vessel control and equipment and operations.

With the exception of Uninspected Vessels, all categories of U.S.-registered vessels are subject to Coast Guard inspection on an annual basis and at regular intervals when hauled at drydock. Upon satisfactory completion of the inspection, a Certificate of Inspection (COI) is issued, and must be permanently displayed on board the vessel. The COI spells out what waters the vessel may operate on (its authorized route), how many total persons may be carried aboard (passengers or sailing school students in addition to the crew), the requirement for and location of lifesaving and firefighting equipment, when the next drydock exam is required and so forth. The type of COI to be issued to inspected vessels is determined by both the size and construction of the vessel and the operating intentions of the operator. Some vessels carry dual certification (for example: Small Passenger Vessel and Sailing School Vessel).

The Coast Guard issued COI is also where the minimum manning or crew complement is listed. Qualifications for officers and crew are determined by the size, complexity of sailing rig and route of the vessel. Merchant Mariner Credentials (licenses) are earned through a combination of documented time at sea, academic coursework and comprehensive examination.

Tall Ships America’s U.S.-registered vessels generally fall into one of the following categories (defined in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 46):

An SSV is a vessel of less than 500 gross tons, carrying six or more sailing school students or instructors, principally propelled by sail, and operated by a nonprofit educational organization exclusively for the purpose of sailing instruction. The SSV regulations take into account that the participants are not passengers but instead will be involved in educational activities or in the operation of the vessel. SSVs are required to meet full certification criteria with regard to the vessel’s design, construction, layout, stability and systems, and are subject to regular USCG inspection of the ship, all onboard equipment, and operations. Licensed captains are required, and minimum crew requirements are specified by the USCG. Routes and service areas are specified.

UPVs are not required to be inspected by the Coast Guard but they must comply with minimal federal standards for safety, navigation and pollution prevention. These vessels are minimally manned by a licensed captain; however, additional credentialed mariners are only required for the largest sized vessels.

  • UPVs under 100 gross tons are allowed to carry up to six passengers.
  • UPVs of 100 gross tons or greater are allowed to carry up to 12 passengers.
  • UPVs of 200 gross tons or greater are allowed to carry up to 12 passengers. Crew are required to hold merchant mariner documents, 50 percent of which must be rated at least Able Seaman

Small passenger vessels regulated under Subchapter T are less than 100 gross tons and carry more than six, but not more than 150, passengers or have overnight accommodations for 49 or fewer passengers. SPVs are required to meet full certification criteria with regard to the vessel’s design, construction, layout, stability, and systems, and are subject to regular USCG inspection of the ship, all onboard equipment, and operations. Licensed Captains are required, and minimum crew requirements are specified by the USCG. Routes and service areas are specified

Attraction Vessels are put on public display or used as a platform for a public exhibit and carry passengers only while moored to a dock. By charging admission or accepting donations or other valuable consideration, Attraction Vessels are subject to U.S. inspection laws as passenger or small passenger vessels and an Attraction Vessel COI is required whenever a vessel is open to public boarding or conducts dockside programs. The vessel may or may not be concurrently certified for underway passenger operation under one or more of the above sub-chapters, but the Attraction Vessel COI certifies its safety for dockside programs and visitation only.

For more information about U.S. regulations, contact the United States Coast Guard or the Government Printing Office for the above listed sections of the Code of Federal Regulations. For inspection criteria pertaining to non-U.S. flag vessels, contact the vessel’s home office for guidance to their national authorities.