33 CFR 164.41: Electronic position fixing devices

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section requires each vessel calling at a port in the continental United States, including Alaska south of Cape Prince of Wales, to have a satellite navigation receiver. Certain government-owned or bareboat chartered vessels not engaged in commerce are excepted. The receiver must acquire signals automatically and update position during each usable satellite pass. The text also describes how to apply for a Commandant finding on a system.

Applies toEach vessel calling at a port in the continental United States, including Alaska south of Cape Prince of Wales, except certain government vessels owned or bareboat chartered and operated by the United States, a state or its political subdivision, or a foreign nation, and not engaged in commerce.

What it says

  1. Each vessel calling at a port in the continental United States, including Alaska south of Cape Prince of Wales, must have a satellite navigation receiver, except as the next statement provides.

    33 CFR 164.41(a)“Each vessel calling at a port in the continental United States, including Alaska south of Cape Prince of Wales,”

  2. The requirement does not apply to a vessel owned or bareboat chartered and operated by the United States, by a state or its political subdivision, or by a foreign nation, if the vessel is not engaged in commerce.

    33 CFR 164.41(a)“except each vessel owned or bareboat chartered and operated by the United States, or by a state or its political subdivision, or by a foreign nation, and not engaged in commerce,”

  3. The receiver must automatically acquire satellite signals after the operator has entered the initial settings.

    33 CFR 164.41(a)(1)“Automatic acquisition of satellite signals after initial operator settings have been entered”

  4. The receiver must provide position updates derived from satellite information during each usable satellite pass.

    33 CFR 164.41(a)(2)“Position updates derived from satellite information during each usable satellite pass.”

  5. A person who wants the Commandant to make a finding about a device must submit a written application describing the device to the Commandant at the address given in the text.

    33 CFR 164.41(b)“must submit a written application describing the device to the Commandant”

  6. After reviewing the application, the Commandant may request additional information to establish whether the device meets the intent of the Federal Radionavigation Plan.

    33 CFR 164.41(b)“the Commandant may request additional information to establish whether or not the device meets the intent of the Federal Radionavigation Plan.”

Common questions

Which vessels are exempt from the satellite navigation receiver requirement?

Vessels owned or bareboat chartered and operated by the United States, a state or its political subdivision, or a foreign nation are excepted if they are not engaged in commerce.

“except each vessel owned or bareboat chartered and operated by the United States, or by a state or its political subdivision, or by a foreign nation, and not engaged in commerce,”

What must a satellite navigation receiver be able to do?

It must automatically acquire satellite signals after initial operator settings are entered. It must also update position from satellite information during each usable satellite pass.

“Automatic acquisition of satellite signals after initial operator settings have been entered”

How do I apply for the Commandant to find that my device meets the Federal Radionavigation Plan?

You must submit a written application describing the device to the Commandant at the address given in the text.

“must submit a written application describing the device to the Commandant”

The text of 33 CFR 164.41

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Electronic position fixing devices

(a) Each vessel calling at a port in the continental United States, including Alaska south of Cape Prince of Wales, except each vessel owned or bareboat chartered and operated by the United States, or by a state or its political subdivision, or by a foreign nation, and not engaged in commerce, must have a satellite navigation receiver with—

(1) Automatic acquisition of satellite signals after initial operator settings have been entered; and

(2) Position updates derived from satellite information during each usable satellite pass.

(b) A system that is found by the Commandant to meet the intent of the statements of availability, coverage, and accuracy for the U.S. Coastal Confluence Zone (CCZ) contained in the U.S. “Federal Radionavigation Plan” (Report No. DOD-NO 4650.4-P, I or No. DOT-TSC-RSPA-80-16, I). A person desiring a finding by the Commandant under this subparagraph must submit a written application describing the device to the Commandant (CG-DCO-D), Attn: Deputy for Operations Policy and Capabilities, U.S. Coast Guard Stop 7318, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20593-7318. After reviewing the application, the Commandant may request additional information to establish whether or not the device meets the intent of the Federal Radionavigation Plan. Note: The Federal Radionavigation Plan is available from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Va. 22161, with the following Government Accession Numbers:

Vol 1, ADA 116468

Vol 2, ADA 116469

Vol 3, ADA 116470

Vol 4, ADA 116471

The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.