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USCG Navigation Rules and Regulations
Applies to vessels in sight of one another. - ✔✔Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, so far as possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear. Action by Stand-on Vessel (R17) Applies to vessels in sight of one another. - ✔✔(a)(i) Keep course and speed. (a)(ii) May take action to avoid collision by maneuver alone, as soon as it becomes apparent that the vessel required to keep out of the way is not taking appropriate action. (b) When you are so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone, take such action as will best aid to avoid collision. (c) Do not alter course to port for a vessel on your own port side. (d) This Rule does not relieve the give-way vessel of her obligation to keep out of the way. Action to Avoid Collision (R8)
Applies in any condition of visibility. - ✔✔(a) Any action taken to avoid collision shall be made in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship. (b) Any alteration of course and/or speed to avoid collision shall be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel; a succession of small alterations of course and/or speed should be avoided. (c) If there is sufficient sea room, alteration of course alone may be the most effective action to avoid a close-quarters situation provided that it is made in good time, is substantial and does not result in another close-quarters situation. (d) Action taken to avoid collision with another vessel shall be such as to result in passing at a safe distance. The effectiveness of the action shall be carefully checked until the other vessel is finally past and clear. (e) If necessary to avoid collision or allow more time to assess the situation, a vessel shall slacken her speed or take all way off by stopping or reversing her means of propulsion. (f) A vessel which, by any of these Rules, is required not to impede the passage or safe passage of another vessel shall, when required by the circumstances of the case, take early action to allow sufficient sea room for the safe passage of the other vessel. All-round light (R21) - ✔✔A light showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 360 degrees.
Crossing - Inland Only (R15) Applies to vessels in sight of one another. - ✔✔A power-driven vessel crossing a river shall keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel ascending or descending the river. Crossing (R15) Applies to vessels in sight of one another. - ✔✔When two power- driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel. Flashing light (R21) - ✔✔A light flashing at regular intervals at a frequency of 120 flashes or more per minute. Great Lakes (R3) - ✔✔INLAND ONLY The Great Lakes and their connecting and tributary waters including the Calumet River as far as the Thomas J. O'Brien Lock and Controlling Works (between mile 326 and 327), the Chicago River as far as the east side of the Ashland Avenue Bridge (between mile 321 and 322), and the Saint Lawrence River as far east as the lower exit of Saint Lambert Lock.
Head-on Situation - Inland Only (R14, R34) Applies to vessels in sight of one another. - ✔✔(d) A power-driven vessel proceeding downbound with a following current shall: -- have the right-of-way over an upbound vessel, -- propose the manner of passage, and -- shall initiate the following sound signals: . : I intend to leave you on my port side .. : I intend to leave you on my starboard side ... : I am operating astern propulsion Head-on Situation (R14) Applies to vessels in sight of one another. - ✔✔(a) When two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision each shall alter her course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other. (b) Such a situation shall be deemed to exist when a vessel sees the other ahead or nearly ahead and by night she could see the masthead lights of the other in a line or nearly in a line and/or both sidelights and by day she observes the corresponding aspect of the other vessel. (c) When in doubt, assume it is a head-on situation.
Lights and Shapes - Power-driven Vessels Underway - < 12 meters - INTERNATIONAL ONLY (R23) - ✔✔(d)(iii) the masthead light or all-round white light on a power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may be displaced from the fore and aft centerline of the vessel if centerline fitting is not practicable, provided that the sidelights are combined in one lantern which shall be carried on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel or located as nearly as practicable in the same fore and aft line as the masthead light or the all-round white light. Lights and Shapes - Power-driven Vessels Underway - < 12 meters (R23) - ✔✔(d)(i) A power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may exhibit - in lieu masthead light and sternlight - an all-round white light. (NOTE: Still need sidelights.) Lights and Shapes - Power-driven Vessels Underway - < 7 meters - INTERNATIONAL ONLY (R23) - ✔✔(d)(ii) a power-driven vessel of less than 7 meters in length whose maximum speed does not exceed 7 knots may exhibit - in lieu of masthead lights, sidelights, and stern light - an all-round white light and shall, if practicable, also exhibit sidelights. Lights and Shapes - Power-driven Vessels Underway - General (R23) - ✔✔(a) [This vessel, when] underway shall exhibit: (i) a masthead light forward;
(ii) a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one; except that a vessel of less than 50 meters in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such light but may do so; (iii) sidelights; and (iv) a sternlight. Lights and Shapes - Power-driven Vessels Underway - INLAND ONLY (GREAT LAKES) (R23) - ✔✔(d) [This vessel] when operating on the Great Lakes may carry an all-round white light in lieu of the second masthead light and sternlight. The light shall be carried in the position of the second masthead light and be visible at the same minimum range. Lights and Shapes - Application (R20) - ✔✔(a) Rules 20-31 (Lights and Shapes) apply in all weathers. (b) Use lights from sunset to sunrise. Don't use any other lights, unless they cannot be mistaken for required lights, do not impair the visibility or distinctive character of required lights, & do not interfere with keeping a proper look-out. (c) Use lights from sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility or other circumstances when it is deemed necessary. (d) Use shapes during the day. (e) The lights and shapes specified in these Rules shall comply with the provisions of Annex I to these Regulations.
(i) instead of masthead light forward and a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one, two masthead lights in a vertical line. When the tow exceeds 200 meters, three such lights in a vertical line; (ii) sidelights; (iii) a sternlight; (iv) a towing light in a vertical line above the sternlight; and (v) if > 200 meters, a diamond shape where it can best be seen. NOTE: In INLAND waters, this Rule applies to power-driven vessel when towing astern. Lights and Shapes - Towing and Pushing - Pushing ahead or towing alongside (R24) INLAND ONLY - ✔✔(i) A power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside on the Western Rivers above the Huey P. Long Bridge at mile 106.1 Above Head of Passes on the Mississippi River, shall exhibit: (i) Sidelights; and (ii) Two towing lights in a vertical line. NOTE: Does not require masthead lights.
NOTE: Does not apply to composite vessels. Lights and Shapes - Towing and Pushing - Pushing ahead or towing alongside (R24) - ✔✔(c) A power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside shall exhibit: (i) two masthead lights in a vertical line; (ii) sidelights; and (iii) a sternlight. NOTE: Does not apply to composite vessels. Look-out (R5) Applies in any condition of visibility. - ✔✔Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision. Masthead light - INLAND ONLY (R21) - ✔✔International rule applies, except that on a vessel of less than 12 meters in length the masthead light shall be placed as nearly as practicable to the fore and aft centerline of the vessel.
Applies in any condition of visibility. - ✔✔(f) A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a narrow channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall: -- navigate with particular alertness and caution and -- shall sound the appropriate signal ( ___ ) R34: Such signal shall be answered using the same signal by any vessel that may be within hearing. Narrow Channels - Right of Way - Inland Only (R9, R34) Applies in any condition of visibility. - ✔✔A power-driven vessel operating in narrow channels on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, and proceeding downbound with a following current shall: -- have the right-of-way over an upbound vessel -- propose the manner and place of passage, and -- initiate the sound signals as follows: . : I intend to leave you on my port side .. : I intend to leave you on my starboard side ... : I am operating astern propulsion Narrow Channels - Sound Signals - Crossing (R9, R34)
Applies in any condition of visibility. - ✔✔(d) A vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel may use the Danger Doubt sound signal if in doubt as to the intention of a crossing vessel. Narrow Channels - Sound Signals - Overtaking (R9, R34) Applies in any condition of visibility. - ✔✔(e)(i) A vessel intending to overtake another vessel shall indicate her intention by sounding the following signals: INTERNATIONAL: I intend to overtake you on your starboard side: ___ ___ . I intend to overtake you on your port side: *___ ___.. * INLAND: I intend to overtake you on your starboard side: . I intend to overtake you on your port side: . . RESPONSES INTERNATIONAL:
Applies to vessels in sight of one another. - ✔✔FILL THIS ONE OUT USING CHART Responsibility (R2) - ✔✔(a) Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master, or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to comply with these Rules or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case. (b) In construing and complying with these Rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved, which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger. Restricted visibility (R3) - ✔✔Any condition in which visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms or any other similar causes. Risk of Collision (R7) Applies in any condition of visibility. - ✔✔(a) Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions to determine if risk of collision exists. If there is any doubt such risk shall be deemed to exist.
(b) Proper use shall be made of radar equipment if fitted and operational, including long-range scanning to obtain early warning of risk of collision and radar plotting or equivalent systematic observation of detected objects. (c) Assumptions shall not be made on the basis of scanty information, especially scanty radar information. (d) In determining if risk of collision exists the following considerations shall be among those taken into account: (i) Such risk shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change. (ii) Such risk may sometimes exist even when an appreciable bearing change is evident, particularly when approaching a very large vessel or a tow or when approaching a vessel at close range. Rule 24 - copy/paste - ✔✔(d) A power-driven vessel to which paragraphs (a) or (c) of this Rule apply shall also comply with Rule 23(a) (i) and 23(a)(ii)(§83.23(a)(i) or (ii)). (e) A vessel or object other than those referred to in paragraph (g) of this Rule being towed shall exhibit: (i) Sidelights; (ii) A sternlight; and
(ii) If it is 25 meters or more in breadth, four all-round white lights to mark its length and breadth; (iii) If it exceeds 100 meters in length, additional all-round white lights between the lights prescribed in paragraphs (g)(i) and (ii) of this Rule so that the distance between the lights shall not exceed 100 meters: provided, that any vessels or objects being towed alongside each other shall be lighted as one vessel or object; (iv) A diamond shape at or near the aftermost Safe speed - defined (R6) Applies in any condition of visibility. - ✔✔Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions. Safe speed - determining factors for all vessels (R6) Applies in any condition of visibility. - ✔✔(i) The state of visibility; (ii) The traffic density including concentrations of fishing vessels or any other vessels;
(iii) The maneuverability of the vessel with special reference to stopping distance and turning ability in the prevailing conditions; (iv) At night, the presence of background light such as from shore lights or from back scatter from her own lights; (v) The state of wind, sea and current, and the proximity of navigational hazards; (vi) The draft in relation to the available depth of water. Safe speed - determining factors for vessels with operational radar (R6) Applies in any condition of visibility. - ✔✔(i) The characteristics, efficiency and limitations of the radar equipment; (ii) Any constraints imposed by the radar range scale in use; (iii) The effect on radar detection of the sea state, weather and other sources of interference; (iv) The possibility that small vessels, ice and other floating objects may not be detected by radar at an adequate range; (v) The number, location and movement of vessels detected by radar; (vi) The more exact assessment of the visibility that may be possible when radar is used to determine the range of vessels or other objects in the vicinity. Sailing vessel (R3) - ✔✔Any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used.
