AR 56-9 — Army Intratheater Watercraft Systems
AR 56-9 governs Department of the Army watercraft planning, budgeting, execution, operations, and maritime qualification requirements.
- Publication number: AR 56-9
- Title: ARMY INTRATHEATER WATERCRAFT SYSTEMS
- Date: 10/02/2020
- Proponent: G-4
- Status: ACTIVE
View AR 56-9 on armypubs.army.mil
It covers watercraft classes, maritime policies, safety, ship personnel duties, vessel support, qualifications, and logbooks. It requires procedures for sailing orders, vessel operations, certifications, accident reporting, drills, inspections, and records.
Applies to: This regulation applies to all DA-controlled-or-leased watercraft used in operations and as directed during a logistics-over-the-shore (LOTS) operation, or in coastal, harbor, intratheater, inland waterway, and ocean operations.
Topics covered
- Army watercraft classes
- Maritime policies
- Watercraft safety
- Ship personnel duties
- Maritime qualifications
- Sailing orders
- Vessel logbooks
Questions and answers
What certification must radar operators on Army watercraft hold?
All masters, mates, and operators of Army watercraft equipped with radio detection and ranging (radar) must hold the appropriate certificate from a U.S. Coast Guard-approved-or-accepted radar (unlimited) operator course.
What ECDIS endorsement is required for MOS 88K40 and MOS 880A?
All Service members holding the MOS 88K40 and MOS 880A must hold an ECDIS endorsement on their U.S. Army Maritime License. (paragraph 7)
When must watertight doors be kept closed?
All watertight doors in subdivision bulkheads and sea chest valves will be kept properly closed during: (1) Navigation, except when necessarily opened for working of the vessel. In such cases, they must always be ready to be closed immediately. (2) Periods when the vessel is unmanned. (paragraph 1-4)
What must be recorded in official Army watercraft logbooks?
All events of importance, interest, or historical value about the crew, passengers, operation, location, condition, and safety of Army watercraft will be recorded daily in the appropriate logbook. (paragraph 2)