1625-0019 Stat/Authority

33 CFR Part 82 (up to date as of 6/24/2024)
72 COLREGS: Interpretative Rules

33 CFR Part 82 (June 24, 2024)

This content is from the eCFR and is authoritative but unofficial.

Title 33 —Navigation and Navigable Waters
Chapter I —Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security
Subchapter D —International Navigation Rules
Part 82 72 COLREGS: Interpretative Rules
§ 82.1 Purpose.
§ 82.3 Pushing vessel and vessel being pushed: Composite unit.
§ 82.5 Lights for moored vessels.
§ 82.7 Sidelights for unmanned barges.

PART 82—72 COLREGS: INTERPRETATIVE RULES
Authority: 14 U.S.C. 102, 503; 33 U.S.C. 1602; E.O. 11964, 42 FR 4327, 3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p. 88; 49 CFR 1.46(n).

§ 82.1 Purpose.
This part contains the interpretative rules concerning the 72 COLREGS that are adopted by the Coast Guard for the
guidance of the public.
[CGD 76-133, 42 FR 35792, July 11, 1977. Redesignated by CGD 81-017, 46 FR 28154, May 26, 1981]

§ 82.3 Pushing vessel and vessel being pushed: Composite unit.
Rule 24(b) of the 72 COLREGS states that when a pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed ahead are rigidly
connected in a composite unit, they are regarded as a power-driven vessel and must exhibit the lights under Rule 23.
A “composite unit” is interpreted to be a pushing vessel that is rigidly connected by mechanical means to a vessel
being pushed so they react to sea and swell as one vessel. “Mechanical means” does not include the following:
(a) Lines.
(b) Hawsers.
(c) Wires.
(d) Chains.
[CGD 76-133, 42 FR 35792, July 11, 1977. Redesignated by CGD 81-017, 46 FR 28154, May 26, 1981]

§ 82.5 Lights for moored vessels.
For the purposes of Rule 30 of the 72 COLREGS, a vessel at anchor includes a barge made fast to one or more
mooring buoys or other similar device attached to the sea or river floor. Such a barge may be lighted as a vessel at
anchor in accordance with Rule 30, or may be lighted on the corners in accordance with 33 CFR 83.30(h) through (l).
33 CFR 82.5 (enhanced display)

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33 CFR Part 82 (up to date as of 6/24/2024)
72 COLREGS: Interpretative Rules

33 CFR 82.7

[CGD 94-011, 63 FR 5731, Feb. 4, 1998, as amended by USCG-2015-0433, 80 FR 44280, July 27, 2015; USCG-2016-0498, 82 FR
35080, July 28, 2017]

§ 82.7 Sidelights for unmanned barges.
An unmanned barge being towed may use the exception of COLREGS Rule 24(h). However, this exception only
applies to the vertical sector requirements.
[CGD 94-011, 63 FR 5731, Feb. 4, 1998]

33 CFR 82.7 (enhanced display)

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