33 CFR 81.3: Alternative compliance for special vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers vessels of special construction or purpose that cannot fully comply with the 72 COLREGS light, shape, and sound signal provisions without interfering with their special function. Such vessels may meet alternative requirements, which a Coast Guard District Office determines. The regulations set out the certification procedure.
Applies toVessels of special construction or purpose which cannot fully comply with the light, shape, and sound signal provisions of 72 COLREGS without interfering with their special function.
What it says
A vessel of special construction or purpose that cannot fully comply with the 72 COLREGS light, shape, and sound signal provisions without interfering with its special function may instead meet alternative requirements.
“Vessels of special construction or purpose which cannot fully comply with the light, shape, and sound signal provisions of 72 COLREGS without interfering with their special function may instead meet alternative requirements.”
The Chief of the Prevention Division in each Coast Guard District Office makes the determination about alternative compliance.
“The Chief of the Prevention Division in each Coast Guard District Office makes this determination”
Alternative compliance must be as close as possible with the 72 COLREGS.
“requires that alternative compliance be as close as possible with the 72 COLREGS.”
These regulations set out the procedure by which a vessel may be certified for alternative compliance.
“These regulations set out the procedure by which a vessel may be certified for alternative compliance.”
Common questions
Who decides whether a vessel may use alternative compliance with the 72 COLREGS?
The Chief of the Prevention Division in each Coast Guard District Office makes the determination.
“The Chief of the Prevention Division in each Coast Guard District Office makes this determination”
What vessels may meet alternative requirements instead of the 72 COLREGS signal provisions?
Vessels of special construction or purpose that cannot fully comply with the light, shape, and sound signal provisions without interfering with their special function may meet alternative requirements.
“Vessels of special construction or purpose which cannot fully comply with the light, shape, and sound signal provisions of 72 COLREGS without interfering with their special function may instead meet alternative requirements.”
How close must alternative compliance be to the 72 COLREGS?
Alternative compliance must be as close as possible with the 72 COLREGS.
“requires that alternative compliance be as close as possible with the 72 COLREGS.”
The text of 33 CFR 81.3
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
General
Vessels of special construction or purpose which cannot fully comply with the light, shape, and sound signal provisions of 72 COLREGS without interfering with their special function may instead meet alternative requirements. The Chief of the Prevention Division in each Coast Guard District Office makes this determination and requires that alternative compliance be as close as possible with the 72 COLREGS. These regulations set out the procedure by which a vessel may be certified for alternative compliance. The information collection and recordkeeping requirements in §§ 81.5 and 81.18 have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB control No. 1625-0019.
Sections it refers to
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.