[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 33, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 33CFR161.1]

[Page 562-563]
 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
    CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED)
 
PART 161--VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT--Table of Contents
 
                   Subpart A--Vessel Traffic Services
 
Sec. 161.1  Purpose and Intent.

                              General Rules


    (a) The purpose of this part is to promulgate regulations 
implementing and enforcing certain sections of the Ports and Waterways 
Safety Act (PWSA) setting up a national system of Vessel Traffic 
Services that will enhance navigation, vessel safety, and marine 
environmental protection, and promote safe vessel movement by reducing 
the potential for collisions, rammings, and groundings, and the loss of 
lives and property associated with these incidents within VTS areas 
established hereunder.
    (b) Vessel Traffic Services provide the mariner with information 
related to the safe navigation of a waterway. This information, coupled 
with the mariner's compliance with the provisions set forth in this 
part, enhances the safe routing of vessels through congested waterways 
or waterways of particular hazard. Under certain circumstances, a VTS 
may issue directions to control the movement of vessels in order to 
minimize the risk of collision between vessels, or damage to property or 
the environment.
    (c) The owner, operator, charterer, master, or person directing the 
movement of a vessel remains at all times responsible for the manner in 
which the vessel is operated and maneuvered, and is responsible for the 
safe navigation of the vessel under all circumstances. Compliance with 
these rules or with a direction of the VTS is at all times contingent 
upon the exigencies of safe navigation.
    (d) Nothing in this part is intended to relieve any vessel, owner, 
operator, charterer, master, or person directing the movement of a 
vessel from the consequences of any neglect to comply with this part or 
any other applicable law or regulation (e.g., the International 
Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS) or 
the Inland Navigation Rules) or of the neglect of any precaution which 
may be required by the ordinary practice of

[[Page 563]]

seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case.