[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 33, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 33CFR162.130]

[Page 583-584]
 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 162--INLAND WATERWAYS NAVIGATION REGULATIONS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 162.130  Connecting waters from Lake Huron to Lake Erie; general rules.

    (a) Purpose. The regulations in Sec.Sec. 162.130 through 162.140 
prescribe rules for vessel operation in U.S. waters connecting Lake 
Huron to Lake Erie (including the River Rouge) to prevent collisions and 
groundings, to protect waterway improvements, and to protect these 
waters from environmental harm resulting from collisions and groundings.
    Note: The Canadian Government has issued similar regulations which 
apply in the Canadian portion of the waterway. Provisions which apply 
only in Canadian waters are noted throughout the text.
    (b) Applicability. (1) Unless otherwise specified, the rules in 
Sec.Sec. 162.130 through 162.140 apply to all U.S. vessels and all other 
vessels in U.S. waters.
    (2) The speed rules in Sec. 162.138 apply to vessels 20 meters or 
more in length.
    (3) The communication rules in Sec. 162.132, the traffic rules in 
Sec. 162.134, except for Sec. 162.134(c)(2), and the anchorage rules in 
Sec. 162.136 apply to the following vessels:
    (i) Vessels of 20 meters or more in length;
    (ii) Commercial vessels more than 8 meters in length engaged in 
towing another vessel astern, alongside, or by pushing ahead; and
    (iii) Each dredge and floating plant.
    (4) The traffic rules contained in Sec. 162.134(c)(2) apply to the 
following vessels:
    (i) Sailing vessels of 20 meters or more in length;
    (ii) Power driven vessels of 55 meters or more in length;
    (iii) Vessels engaged in towing another vessel astern, alongside or 
by pushing ahead; and
    (iv) Each dredge and floating plant.
    (c) Definitions. As used in Sec.Sec. 162.130 through 162.140:
    Captain of the Port means the United States Coast Guard Captain of 
the Port of Detroit, Michigan.
    Detroit River means the connecting waters from Windmill Point Light 
to the lakeward limits of the improved

[[Page 584]]

navigation channels at the head of Lake Erie.
    District Commander means Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District, 
Cleveland, Ohio.
    Master means the licensed master or operator, the person designated 
by the master or operator to navigate the vessel, or, on a vessel not 
requiring licensed personnel, the person in command of the vessel.
    River Rouge means the waters of the Short Cut Canal and the River 
Rouge from Detroit Edison Cell Light 1 to the head of navigation.
    St. Clair River means the connecting waters from the lakeward limit 
of the improved navigation channel at the lower end of Lake Huron to St. 
Clair Flats Canal Light 2.
    SARNIA TRAFFIC means the Canadian Coast Guard traffic center at 
Sarnia Ontario.
    (d) Laws and regulations not affected. The regulations in Sec.Sec. 
162.130 through 162.140 do not relieve the owners or operators of 
vessels from complying with any other laws or regulations relating to 
navigation on the Great Lakes and their connecting or tributary waters.
    (e) Delegations. The District Commander, in coordination with 
appropriate Canadian officials, may make local arrangements that do not 
conflict with these regulations in the interest of safety of operations, 
to facilitate traffic movement and anchorage, to avoid disputes as to 
jurisdiction and to take necessary action to render assistance in 
emergencies. This authority may be redelegated.

[CGD 78-151, 49 FR 18301, Apr. 30, 1984; 49 FR 26722, June 29, 1984, as 
amended by CGD 85-060, 51 FR 17016, May 8, 1986; CGD 93-024, 58 FR 
59365, Nov. 9, 1993]