Notes on inland navigational rules : US Code - Notes

Search Notes on inland navigational rules : US Code - Notes

SUBCHAPTER I - RULES

PART A - GENERAL
Sec.
2001. Application (Rule 1).
(a) United States inland waters and Canadian waters
of the Great Lakes.
(b) International Regulations.
(c) Special rules.
(d) Vessel traffic service regulations.
(e) Alternative compliance.
(f) Acceptance of certificates of alternative
compliance from contracting parties to
International Regulations.
2002. Responsibility (Rule 2).
(a) Exoneration.
(b) Departure from rules when necessary to avoid
immediate danger.
2003. Definitions (Rule 3).

PART B - STEERING AND SAILING RULES

SUBPART I - CONDUCT OF VESSELS IN ANY CONDITION OF VISIBILITY
2004. Application (Rule 4).
2005. Look-out (Rule 5).
2006. Safe speed (Rule 6).
2007. Risk of collision (Rule 7).
(a) Determination if risk exists.
(b) Radar.
(c) Scanty information.
(d) Considerations taken into account in
determining if risk exists.
2008. Action to avoid collision (Rule 8).
(a) General characteristics of action taken to
avoid collision.
(b) Readily apparent alterations in course or
speed.
(c) Alteration of course to avoid close-quarters
situation.
(d) Action to result in passing at safe distance.
(e) Slackening of vessel speed; stopping or
reversing means of propulsion.
(f) Early action to allow room for safe passage.
2009. Narrow channels (Rule 9).
(a) Keeping near to outer limit of channel or
fairway which lies on vessel's starboard side;
exception.
(b) Vessels of less than 20 meters in length;
sailing vessels.
(c) Vessels engaged in fishing.
(d) Crossing narrow channels or fairways.
(e) Overtaking vessels.
(f) Areas of obscured visibility due to intervening
obstructions.
(g) Avoidance of anchoring in narrow channels.
2010. Traffic separation schemes (Rule 10).
(a) Obligations under other Rules unaffected.
(b) Duties for vessel using scheme.
(c) Crossing traffic lanes.
(d) Use of inshore traffic lane.
(e) Entering separation zone or crossing separation
line.
(f) Caution in areas near termination of scheme.
(g) Anchoring.
(h) Avoidance of scheme.
(i) Fishing vessels.
(j) Power-driven vessels.
(k) Exemption; maintenance of safety of navigation.
(l) Exemption; laying, servicing, or picking up
submarine cable.

SUBPART II - CONDUCT OF VESSELS IN SIGHT OF ONE ANOTHER
2011. Application (Rule 11).
2012. Sailing vessels (Rule 12).
(a) Keeping out of the way.
(b) Windward side.
2013. Overtaking (Rule 13).
(a) Overtaking vessel to keep out of the overtaken
vessel's way.
(b) Overtaking vessel defined.
(c) Assumption that vessel is overtaking another in
cases of doubt.
(d) Overtaking vessel to become crossing vessel
only when finally past and clear.
2014. Head-on situation (Rule 14).
(a) Course alterations to starboard; port side
passage.
(b) Existence of head-on situation.
(c) Assumption that head-on situation exists in
cases of doubt.
(d) Vessel operating on Great Lakes, Western
Rivers, or other specified waters, and
proceeding downbound with following current.
2015. Crossing situation (Rule 15).
(a) Vessel which must keep out of the other
vessel's way.
(b) Vessels crossing river.
2016. Action by give-way vessel (Rule 16).
2017. Action by stand-on vessel (Rule 17).
(a) Stand-on vessel to keep course and speed;
action allowed when give-way vessel fails to
take appropriate action.
(b) Action by stand-on vessel allowed when action
by give-way vessel alone cannot avoid
collision.
(c) Crossing situations.
(d) Give-way vessel not relieved of obligation to
keep out of the way.
2018. Responsibilities between vessels (Rule 18).
(a) Power-driven vessels underway.
(b) Sailing vessels underway.
(c) Vessels engaged in fishing when underway.
(d) Seaplanes on the water.

SUBPART III - CONDUCT OF VESSELS IN RESTRICTED VISIBILITY
2019. Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility (Rule 19).
(a) Vessels to which rule applies.
(b) Safe speed; engines ready for immediate
maneuver.
(c) Due regard to prevailing circumstances and
conditions.
(d) Detection of vessel by radar alone.
(e) Reduction of speed to minimum.

PART C - LIGHTS AND SHAPES
2020. Application (Rule 20).
(a) Compliance in all weathers.
(b) Rules concerning lights complied with from
sunset to sunrise; other lights.
(c) Lights during daylight hours in restricted
visibility; other circumstances.
(d) Rules concerning shapes; compliance by day.
(e) Annex.
2021. Definitions (Rule 21).
2022. Visibility of lights (Rule 22).
(a) Vessels of 50 meters or more in length.
(b) Vessels of 12 meters or more but less than 50
meters in length.
(c) Vessels of less than 12 meters in length.
(d) Inconspicuous, partly submerged vessels or
objects being towed.
2023. Power-driven vessels underway (Rule 23).
(a) Lights exhibited by power-driven vessels
underway.
(b) Air-cushion vessels.
(c) Alternative lights for power-driven vessels of
less than 12 meters in length.
(d) Power-driven vessels when operating on Great
Lakes.
2024. Towing and pushing (Rule 24).
(a) Power-driven vessels when towing astern.
(b) Pushing vessel and pushed vessel rigidly
connected in composite unit.
(c) Power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or
towing alongside.
(d) Compliance with other requirements.
(e) Vessels being towed.
(f) Vessels being towed alongside or pushed in a
group.
(g) Inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or
object being towed.
(h) Alternative lighting of vessel or object being
towed.
(i) Western Rivers or other specified waters;
exception.
(j) Towing another vessel in distress or otherwise
in need of assistance.
2025. Sailing vessels underway and vessels under oars (Rule
25).
(a) Sailing vessels underway.
(b) Sailing vessels of less than 20 meters in
length.
(c) Additional lights.
(d) Sailing vessels of less than 7 meters in
length; vessels under oars.
(e) Vessels proceeding under sail.
2026. Fishing vessels (Rule 26).
(a) Exhibition of only prescribed lights and
shapes.
(b) Vessels engaged in trawling.
(c) Vessels engaged in fishing other than trawling.
(d) Vessels engaged in fishing in close proximity
to other vessels engaged in fishing.
(e) Vessels when not engaged in fishing.
2027. Vessels not under command or restricted in their
ability to maneuver (Rule 27).
(a) Vessels not under command.
(b) Vessels restricted in their ability to
maneuver.
(c) Vessels engaged in towing operations.
(d) Vessels engaged in dredging or underwater
operations.
(e) Vessels engaged in diving operations.
(f) Vessels engaged in mineclearance operations.
(g) Vessels of less than 12 meters in length.
(h) Signals of vessels in distress and requiring
assistance.
2028. [Reserved] (Rule 28).
2029. Pilot vessels (Rule 29).
(a) Vessels engaged on pilotage duty.
(b) Vessels when not engaged on pilotage duty.
2030. Anchored vessels and vessels aground (Rule 30).
(a) Vessels at anchor.
(b) Vessels of less than 50 meters in length;
alternative light.
(c) Illumination of decks.
(d) Vessels aground.
(e) Vessels of less than 7 meters in length when at
anchor.
(f) Vessels of less than 12 meters in length when
aground.
(g) Vessels of less than 20 meters in length while
at anchor in special anchorage.
2031. Seaplanes (Rule 31).

PART D - SOUND AND LIGHT SIGNALS
2032. Definitions (Rule 32).
2033. Equipment for sound signals (Rule 33).
(a) Vessels of 12 meters or more in length.
(b) Vessels of less than 12 meters in length.
2034. Maneuvering and warning signals (Rule 34).
(a) Whistle signals.
(b) Light signals.
(c) Overtaking situations.
(d) Doubts or failure to understand signals.
(e) Vessels in areas of obscured visibility due to
intervening obstructions.
(f) Use of one whistle only on a vessel.
(g) Power-driven vessels leaving dock or berth.
(h) Agreement between vessels using radiotelephone.
2035. Sound signals in restricted visibility (Rule 35).
(a) Power-driven vessels making way through the
water.
(b) Power-driven vessels underway but stopped and
making no way through the water.
(c) Vessels not under command; vessels restricted
in ability to maneuver; sailing vessels;
vessels engaged in fishing; vessels engaged in
towing or pushing.
(d) Vessels towed.
(e) Pushing and pushed vessels connected in
composite unit.
(f) Vessels at anchor.
(g) Vessels aground.
(h) Vessels of less than 12 meters in length.
(i) Pilot vessels.
(j) Vessels anchored in special anchorage areas.
2036. Signals to attract attention (Rule 36).
2037. Distress signals (Rule 37).

PART E - EXEMPTIONS
2038. Exemptions (Rule 38).

SUBCHAPTER II - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
2071. Inland navigation rules.
2072. Violations of Inland Navigational Rules.
(a) Liability of operator for civil penalty.
(b) Liability of vessel for civil penalty; seizure
of vessel.
(c) Assessment of civil penalty by Secretary;
collection.
(d) Withholding of clearance.
2073. Navigation Safety Advisory Council.
(a) Establishment; membership; Council panels;
publication in Federal Register.
(b) Functions and purpose of Council.
(c) Executive secretary; staff; travel expenses and
status of members.
(d) Termination of Council.