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Federal Waterway Regulations

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government.

The Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) is a current, daily updated version of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). It is not an official legal edition of the CFR. The e-CFR is an unofficial editorial compilation of CFR material and Federal Register amendments.

Below you'll find links to e-CFR for Title 33 (Navigation and Navigable Waters).

Please note that these Federal waterway regulations do not encompass all rules that may impact the navigation of your vessel.

Go back to the Boating Rules and Regulations homepage for a comprehensive guide to rules and regulations in the U.S.

All of Title 33 - Navigation and Navigable Waters - includes Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, Army Corps of Engineers, and Saint Lawrence Seaway. Subsections of Title 33 include the following:

COLREGS (International Navigation Rules)

  • 33 CFR 80 - COLREGS Demarcation Lines
  • 33 CFR 81 - 72 COLREGS: Implementing Rule
  • 33 CFR 82 - 72 COLREGS: Interpretive Rules

Inland Navigation Rules

  • 33 CFR 84 - Annex I: Positioning and technical details of lights and shapes
  • 33 CFR 85 - Annex II: Additional signals for fishing vessels fishing in close proximity
  • 33 CFR 86 - Annex III: Technical details of sound signal appliances
  • 33 CFR 87 - Annex IV: Distress signals
  • 33 CFR 88 - Annex V: Pilot Rules
  • 33 CFR 90 - Inland Navigation Rules: Interpretive Rules

Regattas and Marine Parades

  • 33 CFR 100 - Safety of Life on Navigable Waters. Provides effective control over regattas and marine parades conducted on the navigable waters of the United States so as to insure safety of life in the regatta or marine parade area.

Anchorages

  • 33 CFR 109 - General
  • 33 CFR 110 - Anchorage Regulations

Bridges

  • 33 CFR 114 - General
  • 33 CFR 115 - Bridge Locations and Clearances; Administrative Procedures
  • 33 CFR 117 - Drawbridge Operation Regulations

Safety Zones

  • 33 CFR 147 - Regulations adopted for safety zones may extend to the prevention or control of specific activities and access by vessels or persons, and include measures to protect the living resources of the sea from harmful agents.

Pollution

  • 33 CFR 157 - Rules for the Protection of the Marine Environment relating to Tank Vessels Carrying Oil in Bulk.

Ports and Waterways Safety

  • 33 CFR 160 - Ports and Waterways Safety, General
  • 33 CFR 161 - Vessel Traffic Management
  • 33 CFR 162 - Inland Waterways Navigation Regulations
  • 33 CFR 163 - Towing of Barges
  • 33 CFR 164 - Navigation Safety Regulations
  • 33 CFR 165 - Regulated Navigation Areas and Limited Access Areas
  • 33 CFR 166 - Shipping Safety Fairways
  • 33 CFR 167 - Offshore Traffic Separation Schemes
  • 33 CFR 168 - Escort Requirements for Certain Tankers
  • 33 CFR 169 - Ship Reporting Systems

Boating Safety

  • 33 CFR 177 - Correction of Especially Hazardous Conditions

US Army Corps of Engineers - Navigation Regulations

  • 33 CFR 207 - Regulations regarding locks on US Navigable Waterways.

Seaway Regulations And Rules

  • 33 CFR 401 - These regulations control the equipment and operation of vessels using the St. Lawrence Seaway, a set of channels and locks that connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.

Other sections of the Code of Federal Regulations which are of interest to boaters are:

 
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