SUBCHAPTER I—RULES

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).

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.

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.

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.

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).

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).

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.