[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 33, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 33CFR164.25]

[Page 618-619]
 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 164_NAVIGATION SAFETY REGULATIONS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 164.25  Tests before entering or getting underway.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section no 
person may cause a vessel to enter into or get underway on the navigable 
waters of the United States unless no more than 12 hours before entering 
or getting underway, the following equipment has been tested:
    (1) Primary and secondary steering gear. The test procedure includes 
a visual inspection of the steering gear and its connecting linkage, 
and, where applicable, the operation of the following:
    (i) Each remote steering gear control system.
    (ii) Each steering position located on the navigating bridge.
    (iii) The main steering gear from the alternative power supply, if 
installed.
    (iv) Each rudder angle indicator in relation to the actual position 
of the rudder.
    (v) Each remote steering gear control system power failure alarm.
    (vi) Each remote steering gear power unit failure alarm.
    (vii) The full movement of the rudder to the required capabilities 
of the steering gear.
    (2) All internal vessel control communications and vessel control 
alarms.
    (3) Standby or emergency generator, for as long as necessary to show 
proper functioning, including steady state temperature and pressure 
readings.
    (4) Storage batteries for emergency lighting and power systems in 
vessel control and propulsion machinery spaces.
    (5) Main propulsion machinery, ahead and astern.
    (b) Vessels navigating on the Great Lakes and their connecting and 
tributary waters, having once completed the test requirements of this 
subpart, are considered to remain in compliance until arriving at the 
next port of call on the Great Lakes.
    (c) Vessels entering the Great Lakes from the St. Lawrence Seaway 
are considered to be in compliance with this sub-part if the required 
tests are conducted preparatory to or during the passage of the St. 
Lawrence Seaway or within one hour of passing Wolfe Island.
    (d) No vessel may enter, or be operated on the navigable waters of 
the United States unless the emergency steering drill described below 
has been conducted within 48 hours prior to entry and logged in the 
vessel logbook, unless the drill is conducted and logged on a regular 
basis at least once every three months. This drill must include at a 
minimum the following:
    (1) Operation of the main steering gear from within the steering 
gear compartment.
    (2) Operation of the means of communications between the navigating 
bridge and the steering compartment.

[[Page 619]]

    (3) Operation of the alternative power supply for the steering gear 
if the vessel is so equipped.

(92 Stat. 1471 (33 U.S.C. 1221 et seq.); 49 CFR 1.46(n)(4))

[CGD 77-183, 45 FR 18925, Mar. 24, 1980, as amended by CGD 83-004, 49 FR 
43466, Oct. 29, 1984]