Navigation Safety Regulations
33 CFR Part 164: required navigation equipment such as radar, AIS, ECDIS, charts and publications, tests before getting underway, and navigation rules for towing vessels.
33 CFR Part 164
- 33 CFR 164.01: Applicability of navigation safety regulationsExplains which vessels 33 CFR part 164 covers, including self-propelled vessels of 1600 or more gross tons and towing vessels of 12 meters or more.
- 33 CFR 164.02: Exception for foreign vessels in transitForeign vessels not bound to or from a U.S. port and in innocent passage or international strait transit are exempt from this part, except § 164.46(c).
- 33 CFR 164.03: Incorporation by reference for navigation safetyLists the industry and international standards incorporated by reference into 33 CFR part 164 and the sections where each one is approved.
- 33 CFR 164.11: General navigation requirements for vessels underwayLists what the owner, master, or person in charge must ensure while a vessel is underway, including manning, position fixing, speed, and steering checks.
- 33 CFR 164.13: Navigation underway requirements for tankersSets engineering watch, bridge deck officer and heading or track control system requirements for tankers navigating underway.
- 33 CFR 164.15: Navigation bridge field of visionSets field-of-vision limits from the navigation bridge for vessels entering or leaving U.S. ports, and requires a clear view through two front windows.
- 33 CFR 164.19: Requirements for vessels at anchorThe master or person in charge of an anchored vessel must ensure an anchor watch, dragging-anchor detection, and safety action in adverse conditions.
- 33 CFR 164.25: Pre-departure equipment tests and steering drillsRequires specified steering, communications, generator, battery and propulsion tests within 12 hours of entering or getting underway, plus an emergency steering drill.
- 33 CFR 164.33: Charts and publications vessels must carryEach vessel must have currently corrected charts, the Coast Pilot and Light List, and current tide and tidal current tables for the area to be transited.
- 33 CFR 164.35: Required navigation equipment for all vesselsLists the navigation equipment each vessel must have, including radar, compasses, depth sounder, maneuvering fact sheet and steering communications.
- 33 CFR 164.37: Second radar on vessels of 10,000 gross tonsVessels of 10,000 gross tons or more must have a second, independent marine radar; tankers subject to 46 U.S.C. 3708 have added radar requirements.
- 33 CFR 164.39: Steering gear requirements for foreign tankersSets steering gear requirements for foreign tankers of 10,000 gross tons or more, by construction date, by reference to SOLAS 74 regulations.
- 33 CFR 164.40: Speed and distance indicating devicesVessels fitted with an ARPA must have a device showing speed and distance, with a readable display and stated error limits.
- 33 CFR 164.41: Electronic position fixing devicesVessels calling at continental U.S. ports must have a satellite navigation receiver, with exceptions for certain government vessels not engaged in commerce.
- 33 CFR 164.46: Automatic Identification System carriage and operationExplains which vessels must carry AIS, how AIS must be operated and maintained, and the exceptions, prohibitions and deadlines in 33 CFR 164.46.
- 33 CFR 164.53: Non-operating required equipment and reportingExplains that a vessel may continue to the next port if required equipment fails, and that failures of listed equipment must be reported as soon as possible.
- 33 CFR 164.55: Captain of the Port deviations for continuing operationsThe Captain of the Port may authorize, on written application, a deviation from rules in this part for a continuing operation or specified period.
- 33 CFR 164.61: Marine casualty reporting and voyage record retentionMasters must ensure marine casualty notice compliance and keep voyage records for 30 days after a casualty or after return to a U.S. port.
- 33 CFR 164.70: Definitions for navigation safety equipment rulesDefines terms used in 33 CFR 164.72 through 164.82, including currently corrected edition, Great Lakes, towing vessel, swing-meter and Western Rivers.
- 33 CFR 164.72: Navigational-safety equipment on towing vesselsLists the radar, searchlight, VHF-FM radio, compass, depth sounder, charts and publications that towing vessels must carry under 33 CFR 164.72.
- 33 CFR 164.74: Towline and terminal gear for towing asternRequires owners, masters and operators of vessels towing astern to ensure towlines and terminal gear are adequate, inspected and properly rigged.
- 33 CFR 164.76: Gear for towing alongside and pushing aheadOwners, masters and operators of vessels towing alongside or pushing ahead must keep face wires, spring lines and push gear suitable, inspected and serviceable.
- 33 CFR 164.78: Navigation duties for vessels towingSets duties for owners, masters and operators of towing vessels on position fixing, current, safe speed, the voyage plan, and recorded tests and inspections.
- 33 CFR 164.80: Towing vessel tests, inspections, and voyage planningRequires towing vessel gear tests and inspections before long voyages and voyage planning for barge tows going seaward of the territorial sea baseline.
- 33 CFR 164.82: Towing vessel equipment maintenance, failure, reportingTowing vessel owners, masters, and operators must keep required navigation equipment working, log failures, and report impairments in a VTS Area.