[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 33, Volume 1]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 33CFR62.1]

[Page 142-143]
 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
         CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 62--UNITED STATES AIDS TO NAVIGATION SYSTEM--Table of Contents
 
                           Subpart A--General
 
Sec. 62.1  Purpose.


    (a) The Coast Guard administers the U.S. Aids to Navigation System. 
The system consists of Federal aids to navigation operated by the Coast 
Guard, aids to navigation operated by the other armed services, and 
private aids to navigation operated by other persons.
    (b)(1) This part describes the general characteristics of the U.S. 
Aids to Navigation System, and the details, policies and procedures 
employed by the Coast Guard in establishing, maintaining, operating, 
changing or discontinuing Federal aids to navigation. Regulations 
concerning the marking of wrecks, structures, and other obstructions are 
found in 33 CFR part 64. Regulations concerning private aids are found 
in 33 CFR part 66. Regulations concerning the marking of artificial 
islands and structures which are erected on or over the seabed and 
subsoil of the Outer Continental Shelf of the United States or its 
possessions are found in 33 CFR part 67. Regulations concerning the 
marking of bridges are found in 33 CFR part 118. Regulations concerning 
aids to navigation at deepwater ports are found in subchapter NN of this 
chapter.
    (2) The regulations found in 33 CFR subpart 66.10 expire on December 
31, 2003, at which time the provisions of this part will apply.
    (c) The Coast Guard maintains systems of marine aids to navigation 
consisting of visual, audible, and electronic signals which are designed 
to assist the prudent mariner in the process of navigation. The aids to 
navigation system is not intended to identify every shoal or obstruction 
to navigation which exists in the navigable waters of the United States, 
but rather provides for reasonable marking of marine features as 
resources permit. The primary objective of the aids to navigation system 
is to mark navigable channels and waterways, obstructions

[[Page 143]]

adjacent to these waterways, and obstructions in areas of general 
navigation which may not be anticipated. Other waters, even if 
navigable, are generally not marked.

[CGD 86-031, 52 FR 42640, Nov. 6, 1987, as amended by CGD 88-018, 54 FR 
48608, Nov. 24, 1989; CGD 97-018, 63 FR 33573, June 19, 1998]