1625-0019 Stat/Authority

Coast Guard, DOT

§ 87.1

shall be installed with its forward axis
directed forward.
(b) A whistle shall be placed as high
as practicable on a vessel, in order to
reduce interception of the emitted
sound by obstructions and also to minimize hearing damage risk to personnel.
The sound pressure level of the vessel’s
own signal at listening posts shall not
exceed 110 dB(A) and so far as practicable should not exceed 100 dB(A).
§ 86.11 Fitting of more than one whistle.
If whistles are fitted at a distance
apart of more than 100 meters, they
shall not be sounded simultaneously.
§ 86.13

Combined whistle systems.

(a) A combined whistle system is a
number of whistles (sound emitting
sources) operated together. For the
purposes of the Rules a combined whistle system is to be regarded as a single
whistle.
(b) The whistles of a combined system shall:
(1) Be located at a distance apart of
not more than 100 meters,
(2) Be sounded simultaneously,
(3) Each have a fundamental frequency different from those of the others by at least 10 Hz, and
(4) Have a tonal characteristic appropriate for the length of vessel which
shall be evidenced by at least twothirds of the whistles in the combined
system
having
fundamental
frequencies falling within the limits prescribed in § 86.03, or if there are only
two whistles in the combined system,
by the higher fundamental frequency
falling within the limits prescribed in
§ 86.03.
NOTE: If due to the presence of obstructions the sound field of a single whistle or of
one of the whistles referred to in § 86.11 is
likely to have a zone of greatly reduced signal level, a combined whistle system should
be fitted so as to overcome this reduction.

§ 86.15

Towing vessel whistles.

A power-driven vessel normally engaged in pushing ahead or towing
alongside may, at all times, use a whistle whose characteristic falls within
the limits prescribed by § 86.03 for the
longest customary composite length of
the vessel and its tow.

Subpart B—Bell or Gong
§ 86.21

Intensity of signal.

A bell or gong, or other device having
similar sound characteristics shall
produce a sound pressure level of not
less than 110 dB at 1 meter.
§ 86.23

Construction.

Bells and gongs shall be made of corrosion-resistant material and designed
to give a clear tone. The diameter of
the mouth of the bell shall be not less
than 300 mm for vessels of more than 20
meters in length, and shall be not less
than 200 mm for vessels of 12 to 20 meters in length. The mass of the striker
shall be not less than 3 percent of the
mass of the bell. The striker shall be
capable of manual operation. Note:
When practicable, a power-driven bell
striker is recommended to ensure constant force.

Subpart C—Approval
§ 86.31

Approval. [Reserved]

PART 87—ANNEX IV: DISTRESS
SIGNALS
Sec.
87.1 Need of assistance.
87.3 Exclusive use.
87.5 Supplemental signals.
AUTHORITY: 33 U.S.C. 2071; 49 CFR 1.46.

§ 87.1

Need of assistance.

The following signals, used or exhibited either together or separately, indicate distress and need of assistance:
(a) A gun or other explosive signal
fired at intervals of about a minute.
(b) A continuous sounding with any
fog-signaling apparatus;
(c) Rockets or shells, throwing red
stars fired one at a time at short intervals;
(d) A signal made by radiotelegraphy
or by any other signaling method consisting of the group . . . — — — . . .
(SOS) in the Morse Code,
(e) A signal sent by radiotelephony
consisting of the spoken word ‘‘Mayday’’;
(f) The International Code Signal of
distress indicated by N.C.

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§ 87.3

33 CFR Ch. I (7–1–01 Edition)

(g) A signal consisting of a square
flag having above or below it a ball or
anything resembling a ball;
(h) Flames on the vessel (as from a
burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc.);
(i) A rocket parachute flare or a hand
flare showing a red light;
(j) A smoke signal giving off orangecolored smoke;
(k) Slowly and repeatedly raising and
lowering arms outstretched to each
side;
(l) The radiotelegraph alarm signal;
(m) The radiotelephone alarm signal;
(n) Signals transmitted by emergency position-indicating radio beacons;
(o)
Signals
transmitted
by
radiocommunication systems, including survival craft radar transponders
meeting the requirements of 47 CFR
80.1095.
(p) A high intensity white light flashing at regular intervals from 50 to 70
times per minute.
[CGD 81–007, 47 FR 16174, Apr. 15, 1982, as
amended by CGD 89–024, 55 FR 3947, Feb. 6,
1990; CGD 94–011, 63 FR 5732, Feb. 4, 1998]

§ 87.3 Exclusive use.
The use or exhibition of any of the
foregoing signals except for the purpose of indicating distress and need of
assistance and the use of other signals
which may be confused with any of the
above signals is prohibited.
[CGD 81–007, 47 FR 16174, Apr. 15, 1982]

§ 87.5 Supplemental signals.
Attention is drawn to the relevant
sections of the International Code of
Signals, the Merchant Ship Search and
Rescue Manual, the International Telecommunication Union Radio Regulations and the following signals:
(a) A piece of orange-colored canvas
with either a black square and circle or
other appropriate symbol (for identification from the air);
(b) A dye marker.
[CGD 81–007, 47 FR 16174, Apr. 15, 1982, as
amended by CGD 89–024, 55 FR 3947, Feb. 6,
1990]

PART 88—ANNEX V: PILOT RULES
Sec.
88.01

88.03 Definitions.
88.05 Copy of rules.
88.09 Temporary exemption from light and
shape requirements when operating
under bridges.
88.11 Law enforcement vessels.
88.12 Public safety activities.
88.13 Lights on moored barges.
88.15 Lights on dredge pipelines.
AUTHORITY: 33 U.S.C. 2071; 49 CFR 1.46.
SOURCE: CGD 80–158, 47 FR 16175, Apr. 15,
1982, unless otherwise noted.

§ 88.01

Purpose and applicability.

This part applies to all vessels operating on United States inland waters
and to United States vessels operating
on the Canadian waters of the Great
Lakes to the extent there is no conflict
with Canadian law.
§ 88.03

Definitions.

The terms used in this part have the
same meaning as defined in the Inland
Navigational Rules Act of 1980.
§ 88.05

Copy of rules.

After January 1, 1983, the operator of
each self-propelled vessel 12 meters or
more in length shall carry on board
and maintain for ready reference a
copy of the Inland Navigation Rules.
§ 88.09 Temporary
exemption
from
light and shape requirements when
operating under bridges.
A vessel’s navigation lights and
shapes may be lowered if necessary to
pass under a bridge.
§ 88.11

Law enforcement vessels.

(a) Law enforcement vessels may display a flashing blue light when engaged
in direct law enforcement or public
safety activities. This light must be located so that it does not interfere with
the visibility of the vessel’s navigation
lights.
(b) The blue light described in this
section may be displayed by law enforcement vessels of the United States
and the States and their political subdivisions.
[CGD 80–158, 47 FR 16175, Apr. 15, 1982, as
amended by CGD 90–032, 56 FR 33385, July 22,
1991]

Purpose and applicability.

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