§ 20.1202 Filing of pleadings.

(a) Complaint. If the Coast Guard has temporarily suspended a merchant mariner's license, certificate of registry, or document, it shall immediately file a complaint under §20.307. The complaint must contain both a copy of a notice of temporary suspension and an affidavit stating the authority and reason for temporary suspension.

(b) Answer. In a case under this subpart

(1) §20.308 does not govern answers, and

(2) The respondent shall therefore enter his or her answer at the pre-hearing conference.

§ 20.1203 Commencement of expedited hearings.

Upon receipt of a complaint with a copy of the notice of temporary suspension and the affidavit supporting the complaint, the Chief ALJ will immediately assign an ALJ and designate the case for expedited hearing.

§ 20.1205 Motion for return of temporarily suspended license, certificate of registry, or document.

(a) Procedure. At any time during the expedited hearing, the respondent may move that his or her license, certificate of registry, or document be returned on the grounds that the agency lacked probable cause for temporary suspension. The motion must be in writing and explain why the agency lacked probable cause.

(b) Ruling. If the ALJ grants the motion, the ALJ may issue such orders as are necessary for the return of the suspended license, certificate, or document and for the matter to continue in an orderly way under standard procedure.

§ 20.1206 Discontinuance of expedited hearings.

(a) Procedure. At any time during the expedited hearing, the respondent may move that the hearing discontinue and that the matter continue under standard procedure. A motion to discontinue must be in writing and explain why the case is inappropriate for expedited hearing.

(b) Ruling. If the ALJ grants the motion to discontinue, the ALJ may issue such orders as are necessary for the matter to continue in an orderly way under standard procedure.

§ 20.1207 Pre-hearing conferences.

(a) When held. As early as practicable, the ALJ shall order and conduct a pre-hearing conference. He or she may order the holding of the conference in person, or by telephonic or electronic means.

(b) Answer. The respondent shall enter his or her answer at the pre-hearing conference. If the answer is an admission, the ALJ shall either issue an appropriate order or schedule a hearing on the order.

(c) Content. (1) At the pre-hearing conference, the parties shall:

(i) Identify and simplify the issues in dispute and prepare an agreed statement of issues, facts, and defenses.

(ii) Establish a simplified procedure appropriate to the matter.

(iii) Fix a time and place for the hearing 30 days or less after the temporary suspension.

(iv) Discuss witnesses and exhibits. (2) The ALJ shall issue an order directing the exchange of witness lists and documents.

(d) Order. Before the close of the prehearing conference, the ALJ shall issue an order setting forth any agreements reached by the parties. The order must specify the issues for the parties to address at the hearing.

(e) Procedures not to cause delay. Neither any filing of pleadings or motions, nor any conduct of discovery, may interfere with

(1) The holding of the hearing 30 days or less after the temporary suspension

§ 20.1208 Expedited hearings.

(a) Procedures. As soon as practicable after the close of the pre-hearing conference, the ALJ shall hold a hearing, under subpart G of this part, on any issue that remains in dispute.

(b) Oral and written argument. (1) Each party may present oral argument at the close of the hearing or present(i) Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law; and

(ii) Post-hearing briefs, under § 20.710. (2) The ALJ shall issue a schedule, such as will enable him or her to consider the findings and briefs without delaying the issuance of the decision.

(c) ALJ's decision. The ALJ may issue his or her decision as an oral decision from the bench. Alternatively, he or she may issue a written decision. He or she shall issue the decision 45 days or less after the temporary suspension.

§ 20.1209 Appeals of ALJs' decisions.

Any party may appeal the ALJ's decision as provided in subpart J.

Subpart M-Supplementary Evidentiary Rules for Suspension and Revocation Hearings

$20.1301 Purpose.

This subpart contains evidentiary rules that apply only in certain circumstances in S&R proceedings. They supplement, not supplant, the evidentiary rules in subpart H.

§ 20.1303 Authentication and certification of extracts from shipping articles, logbooks, and the like.

(a) The investigating officer, the Coast Guard representative, any other commissioned officer of the Coast Guard, or any official custodian of extracts from shipping articles, logbooks, or records in the custody of the Coast Guard may authenticate and certify the extracts.

(b) Authentication and certification must include a statement that the person acting has seen the original, compared the copy with it, and found the copy to be a true one. This person shall sign his or her name and identify himself or herself by rank or title and by duty station.

§ 20.1305 Admissibility and weight of entries from logbooks.

(a) Any entry in any official logbook of a vessel concerning an offense enumerated in 46 U.S.C. 11501, made in substantial compliance with the procedural requirements of 46 U.S.C. 11502, is admissible in evidence and constitutes prima facie evidence of the facts recited.

(b) Any entry in any such logbook made in substantial compliance with the procedural requirements of 46 U.S.C. 11502 may receive added weight from the ALJ.

§ 20.1307 Use of judgments of conviction.

(a) A judgment of conviction by a Federal court is conclusive in any S&R proceeding under this part concerning any act or offense described in 46 U.S.C. 7703 or 7704 when the act or offense is the same as in the Federal conviction.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, no judgment of conviction by a State court is conclusive in any S&R proceeding under this part concerning any act or offense described in 46 U.S.C. 7703 or 7704, even when an act or offense forming the basis of the charge in the proceeding is the same as in the State conviction. But the judgment is admissible in evidence and constitutes substantial evidence adverse to the respondent.

(c) A judgment of conviction by a Federal or State court for a violation is conclusive in the proceeding if an S&R proceeding alleges conviction for

(1) A violation of a dangerous-drug law;

(2) An offense that would prevent the issuance or renewal of a merchant mariner's license, certificate of registry, or document; or

(3) An offense described in subparagraph 205(a)(3)(A) or (B) of the National Driver Register Act of 1982 (23 U.S.C.S. 401, note).

(d) If the respondent participates in the scheme of a State for the expungement of convictions, and if he or she pleads guilty or no contest or, by order of the trial court, has to attend classes, contribute time or money, receive treatment, submit to any manner

of probation or supervision, or forgo appeal of the finding of the trial court, the Coast Guard regards him or her, for the purposes of 46 U.S.C. 7703 or 7704, as having

received a conviction. The Coast Guard does not consider the conviction expunged without proof that the expungement is due to the conviction's having been in error.

(e) No respondent may challenge the jurisdiction of a Federal or State court in any proceeding under 46 U.S.C. 7703 or 7704.

§ 20.1309 Admissibility of respondents' criminal records and records with the Coast Guard before entry of findings and conclusions.

(a) The prior disciplinary record of the respondent is admissible when offered by him or her.

(b) The prior disciplinary record of the respondent is admissible when offered by the Coast Guard representative to impeach the credibility of evidence offered by the respondent.

(c) The use of a judgment of conviction is permissible on the terms prescribed by § 20.1307.

§ 20.1311 Admissions by respondent.

No person may testify regarding admissions made by the respondent during an investigation under 46 CFR part 4, except to impeach the credibility of evidence offered by the respondent.

§ 20.1313 Medical examination of respondents.

In any proceeding in which the physical or mental condition of the respondent is relevant, the ALJ may order him or her to undergo a medical examination. Any examination ordered by the ALJ is conducted, at Federal expense, by a physician designated by the ALJ. If the respondent fails or refuses to undergo any such examination, the failure or refusal receives due weight and may be sufficient for the ALJ to infer that the results would have been adverse to the respondent.

§ 20.1315 Submission of prior records and evidence in aggravation or mitigation.

(a) The prior disciplinary record of the respondent comprises the following items less than 10 years old:

(1) Any written warning issued by the Coast Guard and not contested by the respondent.

(2) Final agency action by the Coast Guard on any S&R proceeding in which a sanction or consent order was entered.

(3) Any agreement for voluntary surrender entered into by the respondent. (4) Any final judgment of conviction in Federal or State courts.

(5) Final agency action by the Coast Guard resulting in the imposition against the respondent of any civil penalty or warning in a proceeding administered by the Coast Guard under this title.

(6) Any official commendatory information concerning the respondent of which the Coast Guard representative is aware. The Coast Guard representative may offer evidence and argument in aggravation of any charge proved. The respondent may offer evidence of, and argument on, prior maritime service, including both the record introduced by the Coast Guard representative and any commendatory evidence.

(b) The respondent may offer evidence and argument in mitigation of any charge proved.

(c) The Coast Guard representative may offer evidence and argument in rebuttal of any evidence and argument offered by the respondent in mitigation.

and commission pennant and Coast Guard emblem.

(b) Coast Guard vessels and aircraft are distinguished from other vessels and aircraft by an ensign; a personal flag, command pennant, or commissioned pennant, if so authorized; or other identifying insignia or marking. [CGFR 57-35, 22 FR 6765, Aug. 22, 1957, as amended by CGFR 66-67, 31 FR 15239, Dec. 6, 1966]

§23.05 Where and when displayed.

(a) The Coast Guard Ensign is a mark of authority and is required to be displayed whenever a Coast Guard vessel takes active measures in connection with boarding, examining, seizing, stopping or heaving to of a vessel for the purposes of enforcing the laws of the United States. The distinctive markings of Coast Guard aircraft serve the same purpose.

(b) The Coast Guard Commission pennant indicates a Coast Guard cutter under the command of a commissioned officer or commissioned warrant offi

cer.

(c) When applicable, these distinctive marks shall be displayed, the Coast Guard Ensign at the masthead of the foremast, and the commission pennant at the after masthead. On ships having but one mast the Coast Guard Ensign and commission pennant shall be at the masthead on the same halyard. In mastless ships they shall be displayed from the most conspicuous hoist.

[CGFR 67-26, 32 FR 6576, Apr. 28, 1967] $23.10 Coast Guard emblem.

(a) The distinctive emblem of the Coast Guard shall be as follows:

On a disc the shield of the Coat of Arms of the United States circumscribed by an annulet edged and inscribed "UNITED STATES COAST GUARD 1790" all in front of two crossed anchors.

(b) The emblem in full color is described as follows:

White anchors and white ring all outlined in medium blue (Coast Guard blue), letters and numerals medium blue (Coast Guard blue), white area within ring, shield with medium blue (Coast Guard blue) chief and 13 alternating white and red (Coast Guard red) stripes (7 white and 6 red) with narrow medium blue (Coast Guard blue) outline.

(c) The Coast Guard emblem is intended primarily for use as identification on Coast Guard ensigns, flags, pennants, vessels, aircraft, vehicles, and shore units. It may also be reproduced for use on such items as stationery, clothing, jewelry, etc.

(d) Any person who desires to reproduce the Coast Guard emblem for nonCoast Guard use must first obtain approval from the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, D.C. 20593.

(Sec. 6(b)(1), 80 Stat. 937; 49 U.S.C. 1655(b)(1); 49 CFR 1.46(b))

[CGFR 67-26, 32 FR 6577, Apr. 28, 1967, as amended by CGFR 70-95, 35 FR 12541, Aug. 6, 1970]

§ 23.12 Coast Guard identifying insignia.

(a) The distinctive identification insignia of the Coast Guard consists of a broad diagonal red stripe followed to the right or left by two narrow stripes, first a white stripe and then a blue stripe. The Coast Guard emblem, as described in § 23.10(b), is centered within the confines of the broad red diagonal stripe.

(b) The Coast Guard identifying insignia is intended primarily for the identification of Coast Guard vessels, aircraft, vehicles, and shore units. It may also be reproduced for use on Coast Guard publications, stationery, jewelry, and similar items.

(c) Any person who desires to reproduce the Coast Guard identifying insignia for non-Coast Guard use must first obtain approval from the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, D.C. 20593.

(Sec. 6(b)(1), 80 Stat. 937; 49 U.S.C. 1655(b)(1); 49 CFR 1.46(b))

[CGFR 70-95, 35 FR 12541, Aug. 6, 1970]

§ 23.15 Coast Guard ensign.

The Coast Guard ensign has sixteen perpendicular stripes alternate red and white, beginning with the red at the hoist. In the upper quarter, next to the hoist, is the union, being the Coat of Arms of the United States, in dark blue on a white field, half of the length of the flag, and extending down the hoist halfway. The distinctive emblem of the Coast Guard in blue and white is placed with its center on a line with the lower