[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 33, Volume 1]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 33CFR26.02]

[Page 105]
 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
         CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 26_VESSEL BRIDGE-TO-BRIDGE RADIOTELEPHONE REGULATIONS--
Table of Contents
 
Sec.  26.02  Definitions.

    For the purpose of this part and interpreting the Act:
    Act means the ``Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act'', 33 
U.S.C. sections 1201-1208;
    Length is measured from end to end over the deck excluding sheer;
    Power-driven vessel means any vessel propelled by machinery; and
    Secretary means the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating;
    Territorial sea means all waters as defined in Sec.  2.22(a)(1) of 
this chapter.
    Towing vessel means any commercial vessel engaged in towing another 
vessel astern, alongside, or by pushing ahead.
    Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) means a service implemented under Part 
161 of this chapter by the United States Coast Guard designed to improve 
the safety and efficiency of vessel traffic and to protect the 
environment. The VTS has the capability to interact with marine traffic 
and respond to traffic situations developing in the VTS area.
    Vessel Traffic Service Area or VTS Area means the geographical area 
encompassing a specific VTS area of service as described in Part 161 of 
this chapter. This area of service may be subdivided into sectors for 
the purpose of allocating responsibility to individual Vessel Traffic 
Centers or to identify different operating requirements.

    Note: Although regulatory jurisdiction is limited to the navigable 
waters of the United States, certain vessels will be encouraged or may 
be required, as a condition of port entry, to report beyond this area to 
facilitate traffic management within the VTS area.

(Rule 1, International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 
1972 (as rectified); EO 11964 (14 U.S.C. 2); 49 CFR 1.46(b))

[CGD 71-114R, 37 FR 12720, June 28, 1972, as amended by CGD 77-118a, 42 
FR 35784, July 11, 1977; CGD 90-020, 59 FR 36322, July 15, 1994; USCG-
2001-9044, 68 FR 42601, July 18, 2003]