Use of auto pilot.

Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when the automatic pilot is used in— (a) Areas of high traffic density; (b) Conditions of restricted visibility; and (c) All other hazardous navigational situations, the master shall ensure that— (1) It is possible to immediately establish human control of the ship's steering: (2) A competent person is ready at all times to take over steering control; and (3) The changeover from automatic to manual steering and vice versa is made by, or under, the supervision of the officer of the watch. [CGFR 75-074, 42 FR 5964, Jan. 17, 1977]