Blue Text = Different from “72 COLREGS”/ International rules.
(a) These Rules apply to all vessels upon the inland waters of the United
States, and to vessels of the United States on the Canadian waters of the
Great Lakes to the extent that there is no conflict with Canadian law.
(b)
(i) These Rules constitute special rules made by an appropriate authority within the meaning of Rule 1(b) of the International Regulations.
(ii) All vessels complying with the construction and equipment requirements of the International Regulations are considered to be in compliance with these Rules.
(c) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of any special rules made by the Secretary of the Navy with respect to additional station or signal lights and shapes or whistleThe word 'whistle' means any sound signalling appliance capable of producing the prescribed blasts and which complies with the specifications in Annex III to these Regulations. More signals for ships of war and vessels proceeding under convoy, or by the Secretary with respect to additional station or signal lights and shapes for fishing vessels engaged in fishing as
a fleet. These additional station or signal lights and shapes or whistle signals shall, so far as possible, be such that they cannot be mistaken for any light, shape, or signal authorized elsewhere under these RulesSounds and light signals are described in Part D of the collision regulations. For a quick read go to Rule 32 Definitions. More. Notice of such special rules shall be published in the Federal Register and, after the effective date specified in such notice, they shall have effect as if they were a part of these Rules1.
(d) Traffic separation schemesA traffic separation scheme (TSS) is similar to a highway at sea. A TSS is often made up of 'traffic lanes' and 'separation zones' which prevent vessels from meeting head on and therefore reduce the likelihood of collision. It is common to find traffic separation schemes in areas of high traffic density such as straits and choke points. The rules relating to traffic separation schemes are described in Rule 10. More may be established for the purposes of these Rules. VesselThe word 'vessel includes every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water'. traffic service regulations may be in effect in certain areas.
(e) Whenever the Secretary determines that a vessel or class of vessels of special construction or purposeAn example of a 'vessel of special construction or purpose' is a submarine or aircraft carrier. An aircraft carrier has a large flight deck running down the center of the ship. This means that aircraft carriers cannot have a masthead light on the fore and aft centerline. Similar restrictions apply to submarine designs. Rule 1(e) permits governments to ignore some of the rules relating to lights and shapes when they are constructing special vessels. More cannot comply fully with the provisions of any of these Rules with respect to the number, position, range, or arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and characteristics of sound-signaling appliances, the vessel shall comply with such other provisions in regard to the number, position, range, or arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and characteristics of soundsignaling appliances, as the Secretary shall have determined to be the closest possible compliance with these Rules. The Secretary may issue a certificate of alternative compliance for a vessel or class of vessels specifying the closest possible compliance with these Rules. The Secretary of the Navy shall make these determinations and issue certificates of alternative compliance for vessels of the Navy.
(f) The Secretary may accept a certificate of alternative compliance issued by a contracting party to the International Regulations if he determines that the alternative compliance standards of the contracting party are substantially the same as those of the United States.
1 Submarines may display, as a distinctive means of identification, an intermittent flashing amber (yellow) beacon with a sequence of one flash per second for three (3) seconds followed by a three (3) second off-period. Other special rules made by the Secretary of the Navy with respect to additional station and signal lights are found in Part 706 of Title 32, Code of Federal Regulations (32 CFR 706).