# Improper Manning Investigations **URL:** \ **Category:** Professional Mariner Forum\ **Created:** [March 8, 2024, 4:24am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/improper-manning-investigations/68741 "2024-03-08T04:24:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 4:24am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/improper-manning-investigations/68741/1 "2024-03-08T04:24:12Z")
Continuing the discussion from [License?](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/license/8244/7): > [@License?](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/license/8244/7): > > On ANY towing vessel, even a light boat, you need a license mate or master of towing vessels (or have a license for 500 GRT or more, and have 30 days on a towing vessel and a completed TOAR). Not only will your time not be accepted, the matter will probably be referred to a Coast Guard field unit to investigate improper manning. Has anyone ever known this to actually happen without an incident or a report? I know a case where a mate with a near coastal license and no towing endorsement did a few tug deliveries 10 years ago and I highly doubt anyone ever looked into that. ---
**Author:** ![LI\_Domer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/li_domer/32/768_2.png) [@LI\_Domer](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/LI_Domer)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 4:39am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/improper-manning-investigations/68741/2 "2024-03-08T04:39:47Z")
If he was just doing deliveries, would he need towing endorsement? ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 4:43am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/improper-manning-investigations/68741/3 "2024-03-08T04:43:49Z")
Any operation of a towing vessel requires a towing license, even light boat deliveries. ---
**Author:** ![BeerCaptain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@BeerCaptain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/BeerCaptain)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 7:29am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/improper-manning-investigations/68741/4 "2024-03-08T07:29:48Z")
Do you have a reference for this? Because I also may know a guy who delivered some light boat tugs without a towing endorsement 🤠 ---
**Author:** ![jdcavo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/jdcavo/32/108_2.png) [@jdcavo](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/jdcavo)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 11:29am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/improper-manning-investigations/68741/5 "2024-03-08T11:29:12Z")
> [@BeerCaptain](#): > > Do you have a reference for this? [46 CFR 15.535](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-46/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-15/subpart-E/section-15.535). There are no exceptions for light boat, deliveries, harbor assist, etc. If it’s a towing vessel, it applies. Getting away with something doesn’t necessarily mean it’s allowed. See also “FAQ” no. 19 in Enclosure (1) to [NVIC 03-16](https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/5ps/MMC/CG-MMC-2%20Policies/NVIC%2003-16%20Towing%20(Incl%20CH-6)%2020231215.pdf?ver=soDF7fdbYN_AyuvnO7ecbg%3d%3d). ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 11:38am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/improper-manning-investigations/68741/6 "2024-03-08T11:38:02Z")
[46 CFR 15.535 (b)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-46/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-15/subpart-E/section-15.535) [46 CFR 15.805 (a)(5)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-46/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-15/subpart-H/section-15.805) [46 CFR 15.810 (d)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-46/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-15/subpart-H/section-15.810) ---
**Author:** ![silverbk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@silverbk](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/silverbk)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 12:17pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/improper-manning-investigations/68741/7 "2024-03-09T12:17:02Z")
I was hired once as master of towing vessels to deliver a light tug. The USCG had been on board and would not allow the owner to move the boat. He had a 200 NC license.