Regulations last checked for updates: Oct 18, 2024
Title 33 - Navigation and Navigable Waters last revised: Oct 16, 2024
§ 161.1 - Purpose and Intent.
(a) The purpose of this part is to promulgate regulations implementing and enforcing certain sections of the 46 U.S.C. Chapter 700 “Ports and Waterways Safety setting up a national system of Vessel Traffic Services that will enhance navigation, vessel safety, and marine environmental protection, and promote safe vessel movement by reducing the potential for collisions, rammings, and groundings, and the loss of lives and property associated with these incidents within VTS areas established hereunder.
(b) Vessel Traffic Services provide the mariner with information related to the safe navigation of a waterway. This information, coupled with the mariner's compliance with the provisions set forth in this part, enhances the safe routing of vessels through congested waterways or waterways of particular hazard. Under certain circumstances, a VTS may issue directions to control the movement of vessels in order to minimize the risk of collision between vessels, or damage to property or the environment.
(c) The owner, operator, charterer, master, or person directing the movement of a vessel remains at all times responsible for the manner in which the vessel is operated and maneuvered, and is responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel under all circumstances. Compliance with these rules or with a direction of the VTS is at all times contingent upon the exigencies of safe navigation.
(d) Nothing in this part is intended to relieve any vessel, owner, operator, charterer, master, or person directing the movement of a vessel from the consequences of any neglect to comply with this part or any other applicable law or regulation (e.g., the International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS) or the Inland Navigation Rules) or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case.
[CGD 90-020, 59 FR 36324, July 15, 1994, as amended by USCG-2020-0304, 85 FR 58280, Sept. 18, 2020]
§ 161.2 - Definitions.
For the purposes of this part:
Center means a Vessel Traffic Center or Vessel Movement Center.
Cooperative Vessel Traffic Services (CVTS) means the system of vessel traffic management established and jointly operated by the United States and Canada within adjoining waters. In addition, CVTS facilitates traffic movement and anchorages, avoids jurisdictional disputes, and renders assistance in emergencies in adjoining United States and Canadian waters.
Hazardous Vessel Operating Condition means any condition related to a vessel's ability to safely navigate or maneuver, and includes, but is not limited to:
(1) The absence or malfunction of vessel operating equipment, such as propulsion machinery, steering gear, radar system, gyrocompass, depth sounding device, automatic radar plotting aid (ARPA), radiotelephone, Automatic Identification System equipment, navigational lighting, sound signaling devices or similar equipment.
(2) Any condition on board the vessel likely to impair navigation, such as lack of current nautical charts and publications, personnel shortage, or similar condition.
(3) Vessel characteristics that affect or restrict maneuverability, such as cargo or tow arrangement, trim, loaded condition, underkeel or overhead clearance, speed capabilities, power availability, or similar characteristics, which may affect the positive control or safe handling of the vessel or the tow.
Navigable waters means all navigable waters of the United States including the territorial sea of the United States, extending to 12 nautical miles from United States baselines, as described in Presidential Proclamation No. 5928 of December 27, 1988.
Precautionary Area means a routing measure comprising an area within defined limits where vessels must navigate with particular caution and within which the direction of traffic may be recommended.
Towing Vessel means any commercial vessel engaged in towing another vessel astern, alongside, or by pushing ahead.
Published means available in a widely-distributed and publicly available medium (e.g., VTS User's Manual, ferry schedule, Notice to Mariners).
Vessel Movement Center (VMC) means the shore-based facility that operates the vessel tracking system for a Vessel Movement Reporting System (VMRS) area or zone within such an area. The VMC does not necessarily have the capability or qualified personnel to interact with marine traffic, nor does it necessarily respond to traffic situations developing in the area, as does a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS).
Vessel Movement Reporting System (VMRS) means a mandatory reporting system used to monitor and track vessel movements. This is accomplished by a vessel providing information under established procedures as set forth in this part in the areas defined in Table 161.12(c) (VTS and VMRS Centers, Call Signs/MMSI, Designated Frequencies, and Monitoring Areas).
Vessel Movement Reporting System (VMRS) User means a vessel, or an owner, operator, charterer, Master, or person directing the movement of a vessel that is required to participate in a VMRS.
Vessel Traffic Center (VTC) means the shore-based facility that operates the vessel traffic service for the Vessel Traffic Service area or zone within such an area.
Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) means a service implemented 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. This area of service may be subdivided into zones 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.
VTS Special Area means a waterway within a VTS area in which special operating requirements apply.
VTS User means a vessel or an owner, operator, charterer, Master, or person directing the movement of a vessel within a VTS Area that is:
(1) Subject to the Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act;
(2) Required to participate in a VMRS; or
(3) Equipped with a required Coast Guard type-approved Automatic Identification System (AIS).
VTS User's Manual means the manual established and distributed by the VTS to provide the mariner with a description of the services offered and rules in force for that VTS. Additionally, the manual may include chartlets showing the area and zone boundaries, general navigational information about the area, and procedures, radio frequencies, reporting provisions and other information which may assist the mariner while in the VTS area.
[CGD 90-020, 59 FR 36324, July 15, 1994, as amended by CGE 97-023, 62 FR 33364, June 19, 1997; USCG-2003-14757, 68 FR 39364, July 1, 2003; USCG-1998-4399, 75 FR 66314, Oct. 28, 2010; USCG-2005-21869, 80 FR 5334, Jan. 30, 2015; 80 FR 17327, Apr. 1, 2015; USCG-2018-0874, 84 FR 30880, June 28, 2019]
§ 161.3 - Applicability.
The provisions of this subpart shall apply to each VTS User and may also apply to any vessel while underway or at anchor on the navigable waters of the United States within a VTS area, to the extent the VTS considers necessary.
§ 161.4 - Requirement to carry the rules.
Each VTS User shall carry on board and maintain for ready reference a copy of these rules.
Note 1 to § 161.4:
These rules are contained in the applicable U.S. Coast Pilot, the VTS User's Manual which may be obtained by contacting the appropriate VTS or downloaded from the Coast Guard Navigation Center website (https://www.navcen.uscg.gov).
[CGD 90-020, 59 FR 36324, July 15, 1994, as amended by USCG-2018-0874, 84 FR 30880, June 28, 2019]
§ 161.5 - Deviations from the rules.
(a) Requests to deviate from any provision in this part, either for an extended period of time or if anticipated before the start of a transit, must be submitted in writing to the appropriate District Commander. Upon receipt of the written request, the District Commander may authorize a deviation if it is determined that such a deviation provides a level of safety equivalent to that provided by the required measure or is a maneuver considered necessary for safe navigation under the circumstances. An application for an authorized deviation must state the need and fully describe the proposed alternative to the required measure.
(b) Requests to deviate from any provision in this part due to circumstances that develop during a transit or immediately preceding a transit may be made to the appropriate VTC. Requests to deviate must be made as far in advance as practicable. Upon receipt of the request, the VTC may authorize a deviation if it is determined that, based on vessel handling characteristics, traffic density, radar contacts, environmental conditions and other relevant information, such a deviation provides a level of safety equivalent to that provided by the required measure or is a maneuver considered necessary for safe navigation under the circumstances.
[CGD 90-020, 59 FR 36324, July 15, 1994, as amended by USCG-2005-21531, 70 FR 36350, June 23, 2005; USCG-2005-21869, 80 FR 5334, Jan. 30, 2015; USCG-2018-0874, 84 FR 30880, June 28, 2019]
§ 161.6 - Preemption.
The regulations in this part have preemptive impact over State laws or regulations on the same subject matter. The Coast Guard has determined, after considering the factors developed by the Supreme Court in U.S. v. Locke, 529 U.S. 89 (2000), that by enacting 46 U.S.C. Chapter 700 'Ports and Waterways Safety', Congress intended that Coast Guard regulations preempt State laws or regulations regarding vessel traffic services in United States ports and waterways.
[USCG-1998-4399, 75 FR 66314, Oct. 28, 2010, as amended by USCG-2020-0304, 85 FR 58280, Sept. 18, 2020]
§ 161.10 - Services.
To enhance navigation and vessel safety, and to protect the marine environment, a VTS may issue advisories, or respond to vessel requests for information, on reported conditions within the VTS area, such as:
(a) Hazardous conditions or circumstances;
(b) Vessel congestion;
(c) Traffic density;
(d) Environmental conditions;
(e) Aids to navigation status;
(f) Anticipated vessel encounters;
(g) Another vessel's name, type, position, hazardous vessel operating conditions, if applicable, and intended navigation movements, as reported;
(h) Temporary measures in effect;
(i) A description of local harbor operations and conditions, such as ferry routes, dredging, and so forth;
(j) Anchorage availability; or
(k) Other information or special circumstances.
§ 161.11 - VTS measures.
(a) A VTS may issue measures or directions to enhance navigation and vessel safety and to protect the marine environment, such as, but not limited to:
(1) Designating temporary reporting points and procedures;
(2) Imposing vessel operating requirements; or
(3) Establishing vessel traffic routing schemes.
(b) During conditions of vessel congestion, restricted visibility, adverse weather, or other hazardous circumstances, a VTS may control, supervise, or otherwise manage traffic, by specifying times of entry, movement, or departure to, from, or within a VTS area.
§ 161.12 - Vessel operating requirements.
(a) Subject to the exigencies of safe navigation, a VTS User shall comply with all measures established or directions issued by a VTS.
(b) If, in a specific circumstance, a VTS User is unable to safely comply with a measure or direction issued by the VTS, the VTS User may deviate only to the extent necessary to avoid endangering persons, property or the environment. The deviation shall be reported to the VTS as soon as is practicable.
(c) When not exchanging voice communications, a VTS User must maintain a listening watch as required by § 26.04(e) of this chapter on the VTS frequency designated in Table 1 to § 161.12(c) (VTS and VMRS Centers, Call Signs/MMSI, Designated Frequencies, and Monitoring Areas). In addition, the VTS User must respond promptly when hailed and communicate in the English language.
Note to § 161.12(c):
As stated in 47 CFR 80.148(b), a very high frequency watch on Channel 16 (156.800 MHz) is not required on vessels subject to the Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act and participating in a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) system when the watch is maintained on both the vessel bridge-to-bridge frequency and a designated VTS frequency.
Table 1 to § 161.12(c)—VTS and VMRS Centers, Call Signs/MMSI, Designated Frequencies, and Monitoring Areas
| Designation
| VTS and VMRS
Centers
| Center call sign and MMSI
1
| Designated frequency (channel
designation)—purpose
2
| Monitoring area
3 4
|
|---|
| (1) | Berwick Bay— | Berwick Traffic 003669950 | 156.550 MHz (Ch. 11) | The waters south of 29°45.00′ N., west of 91°10.00′ W., north of 29°37.00′ N., and east of 91°18.00′ W.
|
| (2) | Buzzards Bay— | Buzzards Bay Control
5 | 156.550 MHz (Ch. 11) | The waters east and north of a line drawn from the southern tangent of Sakonnet Point, Rhode Island, in approximate position latitude 41°27.20′ N., longitude 71°11.70′ W., to the Buzzards Bay Entrance Light in approximate position latitude 41°23.48′ N., longitude 71°02.5′ W., and then to the southwestern tangent of Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts, at approximate position latitude 41°24.60′ N., longitude 70°57.00′ W., and including all of the Cape Cod Canal to its eastern entrance, except that the area of New Bedford Harbor within the confines (north of) the hurricane barrier, and the passages through the Elizabeth Islands, is not considered to be “Buzzards Bay”.
|
| (3) | Houston-Galveston— | | | The navigable waters north of 29°00.00′ N., west of 94°20.00′ W., south of 29°49.00′ N., and east of 95°20.00′ W.
|
| (i) | | Houston Traffic 003669954 | 156.550 MHz (Ch. 11)
156.250 MHz (Ch. 5A)—For Sailing Plans only | The navigable waters north of a line extending due west from the southernmost end of Exxon Dock #1 (20°43.37′ N., 95°01.27′ W.).
|
| (ii) | | Houston Traffic | 156.600 MHz (Ch. 12)
156.250 MHz (Ch. 5A)—For Sailing Plans only | The navigable waters south of a line extending due west from the southernmost end of Exxon Dock #1 (29°43.37′ N., 95°01.27′ W.).
|
| (4) | Los Angeles-Long Beach— | San Pedro Traffic 03660465 | 156.700 MHz (Ch. 14) | Vessel Movement Reporting System Area: The navigable waters within a 25 nautical mile radius of Point Fermin Light (33°42.30′ N., 118°17.60′ W.).
|
| (5) | Louisville— | Louisville Traffic 003669732 | 156.650 MHz (Ch. 13) | The waters of the Ohio River between McAlpine Locks (Mile 606) and Twelve Mile Island (Mile 593), only when the McAlpine upper pool gauge is at approximately 13.0 feet or above.
|
| (6) | Lower Mississippi River—
| | | |
| (i) | | New Orleans Traffic 0036699952 | 156.550 MHz (Ch. 11) | The navigable waters of the Lower Mississippi River below 29°55.30′ N., 89°55.60′ W. (Saxonholm Light) at 86.0 miles Above Head of Passes (AHP), extending down river to Southwest Pass, and, within a 12 nautical mile radius around 28°54.30′ N., 89°25.70′ W. (Southwest Pass Entrance Light) at 20.1 miles Below Head of Passes (BHP).
|
| (ii) | | New Orleans Traffic | 156.600 MHz (Ch. 12) | The navigable waters of the Lower Mississippi River bounded on the north by a line drawn perpendicular on the river at 29°55.50′ N., 90°12.77′ W. (Upper Twelve Mile Point) at 109.0 miles AHP and on the south by a line drawn perpendicularly at 29°55.30′ N., 89°55.60′ W. (Saxonholm Light) at 86.0 miles AHP.
|
| (iii) | | New Orleans Traffic | 156.250 MHz (Ch. 05A) | The navigable waters of the Lower Mississippi River below 30°38.70′ N., 91°17.50′ W. (Port Hudson Light) at 254.5 miles AHP bounded on the south by a line drawn perpendicular on the river at 29°55.50′ N., 90°12.77′ W. (Upper Twelve Mile Point) at 109.0 miles AHP.
|
| (7) | New York—
| | | |
| (i) | | New York Traffic 003669951 | 156.550 MHz (Ch. 11)—For Sailing Plans only
156.600 MHz (Ch. 12)—For vessels at anchor | The area consists of the navigable waters of the Lower New York Bay bounded on the east by a line drawn from Norton Point to Breezy Point; on the south by a line connecting the entrance buoys at the Ambrose Channel, Swash Channel, and Sandy Hook Channel to Sandy Hook Point; and on the southeast including the waters of Sandy Hook Bay south to a line drawn at latitude 40°25.00′ N.; then west in the Raritan Bay to the Raritan River Railroad Bridge, then north into waters of the Arthur Kill and Newark Bay to the Lehigh Valley Draw Bridge at latitude 40°41.90′ N.; and then east including the waters of the Kill Van Kull (KVK) and the Upper New York Bay north to a line drawn east-west from the Holland Tunnel ventilator shaft at latitude 40°43.70′ N., longitude 74°01.60′ W., in the Hudson River; and then continuing east including the waters of the East River to the Throgs Neck Bridge, excluding the Harlem River.
|
| (ii) | | New York Traffic | 156.700 MHz (Ch. 14) | The navigable waters of the Lower New York Bay west of a line drawn from Norton Point to Breezy Point; and north of a line connecting the entrance buoys of Ambrose Channel, Swash Channel, and Sandy Hook Channel, to Sandy Hook Point; on the southeast including the waters of the Sandy Hook Bay south to a line drawn at latitude 40°25.00′ N.; then west into the waters of Raritan Bay East Reach to a line drawn from Great Kills Light south through Raritan Bay East Reach LGB #14 to Comfort Point, New Jersey; then north including the waters of the Upper New York Bay south of 40°42.40′ N. (Brooklyn Bridge) and 40°43.70′ N. (Holland Tunnel Ventilator Shaft); west through the KVK into the Arthur Kill north of 40°38.25′ N. (Arthur Kill Railroad Bridge); then north into the waters of the Newark Bay, south of 40°41.95′ N. (Lehigh Valley Draw Bridge).
|
| (iii) | | New York Traffic | 156.600 MHz (Ch. 12) | The navigable waters of the Raritan Bay south to a line drawn at latitude 40°26.00′ N.; then west of a line drawn from Great Kills Light south through the Raritan Bay East Reach LGB #14 to Point Comfort, New Jersey; then west to the Raritan River Railroad Bridge; and north including the waters of the Arthur Kill to 40°28.25′ N. (Arthur Kill Railroad Bridge); including the waters of the East River north of 40°42.40′ N. (Brooklyn Bridge) to the Throgs Neck Bridge, excluding the Harlem River.
|
| (8) | Port Arthur—
| | | |
| (i) | | Port Arthur Traffic 003669955 | 156.050 MHz (Ch. 01A) | The navigable waters of the Sabine-Neches Canal south of 29°52.70′ N.; Port Arthur Canal; Sabine Pass Channel; Sabine Bank Channel; Sabine Outer Bar Channel; the offshore safety fairway; and the ICW from High Island to its intersection with the Sabine-Neches Canal.
|
| (ii) | | Port Arthur Traffic | 156.275 MHz (Ch. 65A) | The navigable waters of the Neches River; Sabine River; and Sabine-Neches Waterway north of 29°52.70′ N.; and the ICW from its intersection with the Sabine River to MM 260.
|
| (iii) | | Port Arthur Traffic | 156.675 MHz (Ch. 73)
6 | The navigable waters of the Calcasieu Channel; Calcasieu River Channel; and the ICW from MM 260 to MM 191.
|
| (9) | Prince William Sound— | Valdez Traffic 003669958 | 156.650 MHz (CH. 13) | The navigable waters south of 61°05.00′ N., east of 147°20.00′ W., north of 60°00.00′ N., and west of 146°30.00′ W.; and, all navigable waters in Port Valdez.
|
| (10) | Puget Sound—
7
| | | |
| (i) | | Seattle Traffic—003669957 | 156.700 MHz (Ch. 14) | The waters of Puget Sound, Hood Canal and adjacent waters south of a line connecting Nodule Point and Bush Point in Admiralty Inlet and south of a line drawn due east from the southernmost tip of Possession Point on Whidbey Island to the shoreline.
|
| (ii) | | Seattle Traffic— | 156.250 MHz (Ch. 5A) | The U.S. waters of the Salish Sea east of 124°40.00′ W. including waters south and east of a line drawn from Church Point on Vancouver Island, to Race Rocks Light, due east to the intersection of the U.S./Canadian border at 48°17.88′ N., 123°14.1′ W., north-easterly to Hein Bank in position 48°21.094′ N., 123°02.672′ W., northerly to Cattle Point Light on San Juan Island, along the shoreline to Lime Kiln Light, to Kellett Bluff Light on Henry Island, along the shoreline to the tip of McCracken Point at the northernmost point of Henry Island, to the southernmost point on Stuart Island in position 48°39.46′ N., 123°11.08′ W., along the shoreline to Turn Point Light, to Sandy Point on Waldron Island, along the shoreline to Point Hammond, to Patos Island Light, to Alden Bank in position 48°50.39′ N., 122°52.227′ W., then due north to Boundary Bay in position 49°00.125′ N., 122°52.228′ W., then due east along the international boundary to the shoreline in Semiahmoo Bay line connecting Nodule Point and Bush Point and all waters east of Whidbey Island north of a line drawn due east from the southernmost tip of Possession Point on Whidbey Island to the shoreline.
|
| (iii) | | Prince Rupert Traffic—003160013 | 156.725 MHz (Ch. 74) | The waters west of 124°40.00′ W. within 12 nautical miles of the coast of Vancouver Island including the waters north of 48°00.00′ N., and east of 125°15.00′ W.
|
| (iv) | | Victoria Traffic—003160010 | 156.550 MHz (Ch. 11) | The waters of the Strait of Georgia, including Vancouver Harbor, Boundary Pass, and Haro Strait north and west of a line drawn from Church Point on Vancouver Island, to Race Rocks Light, due easterly to the intersection of the U.S./Canadian border at 48°17.883′ N., 123°14.1′ W., north-easterly to Hein Bank in position 48°21.093′ N., 123°02.762′ W., northerly to Cattle Point Light on San Juan Island, along the shoreline to Lime Kiln Light, to Kellett Bluff Light on Henry Island, along the shoreline to the tip of McCracken Point at the northernmost point of Henry Island, to the southernmost point on Stuart Island in position 48°39.467′ N., 123°11.083′ W., along the shoreline to Turn Point Light, to Sandy Point on Waldron Island, along the shoreline to Point Hammond, to Patos Island Light, to Alden Bank in position 48°50.389′ N., 122°52.227′ W., then due north to Boundary Bay in position 49°00.125′ N., 122°52.227′ W., then due east along the international boundary to the shoreline in Semiahmoo Bay.
|
| (11) | San Francisco—
| | | |
| (i) | | San Francisco Traffic 003669956 | 156.700 MHz (Ch. 14) | The navigable waters of the San Francisco Offshore Precautionary Area, the navigable waters shoreward of the San Francisco Offshore Precautionary Area east of 122°42.00′ W. and north of 37°40.00′ N. extending eastward through the Golden Gate, and the navigable waters of San Francisco Bay and as far east as the port of Stockton on the San Joaquin River, as far north as the port of Sacramento on the Sacramento River.
|
| (ii) | | San Francisco Traffic | 156.600 MHz (Ch. 12) | The navigable waters within a 38 nautical mile radius of Mount Tamalpais (37°55.80′ N., 122°34.60′ W.) west of 122°42.00′ W. and south of 37°40.00′ N. and excluding the San Francisco Offshore Precautionary Area.
|
| (12) | St. Marys River— | Soo Traffic 003669953 | 156.600 MHz (Ch. 12) | The waters of the St. Marys River and lower Whitefish Bay from 45°57.00′ N. (De Tour Reef Light) to the south, to 46°38.70′ N. (Ile Parisienne Light) to the north, except the waters of the St. Marys Falls Canal and to the east along a line from La Pointe to Sims Point, within Potagannissing Bay and Worsley Bay.
|
(d) As soon as is practicable, a VTS User shall notify the VTS of any of the following:
(1) A marine casualty as defined in 46 CFR 4.05-1;
(2) Involvement in the ramming of a fixed or floating object;
(3) A pollution incident as defined in § 151.15 of this chapter;
(4) A defect or discrepancy in an aid to navigation;
(5) A hazardous condition as defined in § 160.202 of this chapter;
(6) Improper operation of vessel equipment required by part 164 of this chapter;
(7) A situation involving hazardous materials for which a report is required by 49 CFR 176.48; and
(8) A hazardous vessel operating condition as defined in § 161.2.
[CGD 90-020, 59 FR 36324, July 15, 1994]
Editorial Note:For Federal Register citations affecting § 161.12, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.
§ 161.13 - VTS Special Area operating requirements.
The following operating requirements apply within a VTS Special Area:
(a) A VTS User shall, if towing astern, do so with as short a hawser as safety and good seamanship permits.
(b) A VMRS User shall: (1) Not enter or get underway in the area without prior approval of the VTS;
(2) Not enter a VTS Special Area if a hazardous vessel operating condition or circumstance exists;
(3) Not meet, cross, or overtake any other VMRS User in the area without prior approval of the VTS; and
(4) Before meeting, crossing, or overtaking any other VMRS User in the area, communicate on the designated vessel bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone frequency, intended navigation movements, and any other information necessary in order to make safe passing arrangements. This requirement does not relieve a vessel of any duty prescribed by the International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS) or the Inland Navigation Rules.
source: CGD 90-020, 59 FR 36324, July 15, 1994, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 33 CFR 161.13