[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: 33CFR168.50]

[Page 786]
 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 168--ESCORT REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN TANKERS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 168.50  Performance and operational requirements.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of Sec. 168.10, at all times 
during the escort transit each tanker to which this part applies:
    (1) Must be accompanied by escort vessels that meet the performance 
requirements of paragraph (b) of this section (but not less than the 
number of escorts required by Sec. 168.40).
    (2) Must have the escort vessels positioned relative to the tanker 
such that timely response to a propulsion or steering failure can be 
effected.
    (3) Must not exceed a speed beyond which the escort vessels can 
reasonably be expected to safely bring the tanker under control within 
the navigational limits of the waterway, taking into consideration 
ambient sea and weather conditions, surrounding vessel traffic, hazards, 
and other factors that may reduce the available sea room.
    (b) The escort vessels, acting singly or jointly in any combination 
as needed, and considering their applied force vectors on the tanker's 
hull, must be capable of--
    (1) Towing the tanker at 4 knots in calm conditions, and holding it 
in steady position against a 45-knot headwind;
    (2) Stopping the tanker within the same distance that it could 
crash-stop itself from a speed of 6 knots using its own propulsion 
system;
    (3) Holding the tanker on a steady course against a 35-degree locked 
rudder at a speed of 6 knots; and
    (4) Turning the tanker 90 degrees, assuming a free-swinging rudder 
and a speed of 6 knots, within the same distance (advance and transfer) 
that it could turn itself with a hard-over rudder.

    Effective Date Note: At 59 FR 54519, Nov. 1, 1994, Sec. 168.50 was 
amended by suspending paragraph (b)(2), effective November 17, 1994.