33 CFR 164.70: Definitions for navigation safety equipment rules
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section defines terms used in §§ 164.72 through 164.82. It covers publications and editions, the Great Lakes, the merchant mariner credential, swing-meters, towing vessels and Western Rivers.
Applies toThese definitions apply for purposes of §§ 164.72 through 164.82.
What it says
Current edition means the most recent published version of a publication, chart, or map required by § 164.72.
“Current edition means the most recent published version of a publication, chart, or map required by § 164.72.”
A currently corrected edition is a current or previous edition of a publication required by § 164.72, corrected with changes from Notices to Mariners or Notices to Navigation that are reasonably available and apply to the vessel's transit.
“a current or previous edition of a publication required by § 164.72, corrected with changes that come from Notices to Mariners (NTMs) or Notices to Navigation reasonably available and that apply to the vessel's transit.”
Hand-annotated river maps from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) are currently corrected editions if issued within the previous 5 years.
“Hand-annotated river maps from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) are currently corrected editions if issued within the previous 5 years.”
A swing-meter is an electronic or electric device that indicates the rate of turn of the vessel on board which it is installed.
“Swing-meter means an electronic or electric device that indicates the rate of turn of the vessel on board which it is installed.”
A towing vessel is a commercial vessel engaged in or intending to engage in pulling, pushing or hauling alongside, or any combination of these.
“Towing vessel means a commercial vessel engaged in or intending to engage in pulling, pushing or hauling alongside, or any combination of pulling, pushing, or hauling alongside.”
The merchant mariner credential (MMC) is the credential the Coast Guard issues under 46 CFR part 10.
“Merchant mariner credential or MMC means the credential issued by the Coast Guard under 46 CFR part 10.”
Common questions
What is a currently corrected edition under 33 CFR 164.70?
It is a current or previous edition of a publication required by § 164.72, corrected with reasonably available changes that apply to the vessel's transit. Changes come from Notices to Mariners or Notices to Navigation.
“a current or previous edition of a publication required by § 164.72, corrected with changes that come from Notices to Mariners (NTMs) or Notices to Navigation reasonably available and that apply to the vessel's transit.”
Do hand-annotated Army Corps river maps count as currently corrected?
Yes, if they were issued within the previous 5 years. They must be hand-annotated river maps from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE).
“Hand-annotated river maps from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) are currently corrected editions if issued within the previous 5 years.”
What is a towing vessel under these definitions?
A towing vessel is a commercial vessel engaged in or intending to engage in pulling, pushing or hauling alongside, or any combination of those.
“Towing vessel means a commercial vessel engaged in or intending to engage in pulling, pushing or hauling alongside, or any combination of pulling, pushing, or hauling alongside.”
What is a swing-meter?
A swing-meter is an electronic or electric device that indicates the rate of turn of the vessel on board which it is installed.
“Swing-meter means an electronic or electric device that indicates the rate of turn of the vessel on board which it is installed.”
The text of 33 CFR 164.70
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of March 31, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Definitions
For purposes of §§ 164.72 through 164.82, the term—
Current edition means the most recent published version of a publication, chart, or map required by § 164.72.
Currently corrected edition means a current or previous edition of a publication required by § 164.72, corrected with changes that come from Notices to Mariners (NTMs) or Notices to Navigation reasonably available and that apply to the vessel's transit. Hand-annotated river maps from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) are currently corrected editions if issued within the previous 5 years.
Great Lakes means the Great Lakes and their connecting and tributary waters including the Calumet River as far as the Thomas J. O'Brien Lock and Controlling Works (between miles 326 and 327), the Chicago River as far as the east side of the Ashland Avenue Bridge (between miles 321 and 322), and the Saint Lawrence River as far east as the lower exit of Saint Lambert Lock.
Merchant mariner credential or MMC means the credential issued by the Coast Guard under 46 CFR part 10. It combines the individual merchant mariner's document, license, and certificate of registry enumerated in 46 U.S.C. subtitle II part E as well as the STCW endorsement into a single credential that serves as the mariner's qualification document, certificate of identification, and certificate of service.
Swing-meter means an electronic or electric device that indicates the rate of turn of the vessel on board which it is installed.
Towing vessel means a commercial vessel engaged in or intending to engage in pulling, pushing or hauling alongside, or any combination of pulling, pushing, or hauling alongside.
Western Rivers means the Mississippi River, its tributaries, South Pass, and Southwest Pass, to the navigational-demarcation lines dividing the high seas from harbors, rivers, and other inland waters of the United States, and the Port Allen-Morgan City Alternative Route, and that part of the Atchafalaya River above its junction with the Port Allen-Morgan City Alternative Route including the Old River and the Red River and those waters specified by §§ 89.25 and 89.27 of this chapter, and such other, similar waters as are designated by the COTP.
Sections it refers to
- 33 CFR 164.72
- 33 CFR 164.82
- 46 CFR part 10
- 33 CFR 89.25 ↗
- 33 CFR 89.27 ↗
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 March 31, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.