1625-0019 Stat/Authority

33 CFR Part 88 (up to date as of 6/24/2024)
Annex V: Pilot Rules

33 CFR Part 88 (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 E —Inland Navigation Rules
Part 88 Annex V: Pilot Rules
§ 88.01 Purpose and applicability.
§ 88.03 Definitions.
§ 88.05 Law enforcement vessels.
§ 88.07 Public safety activities.

PART 88—ANNEX V: PILOT RULES
Authority: Sec. 303, Pub. L. 108-293, 118 Stat. 1042 (33 U.S.C. 2071); Department of Homeland Security
Delegation No. 0170.1.

Source: 79 FR 37925, July 2, 2014, 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 the terms defined in part 83 of this subchapter.

§ 88.05 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.

§ 88.07 Public safety activities.
(a) Vessels engaged in government sanctioned public safety activities, and commercial vessels performing
similar functions, may display an alternately flashing red and yellow light signal. This identification light
signal must be located so that it does not interfere with the visibility of the vessel's navigation lights. The

33 CFR 88.07(a) (enhanced display)

page 1 of 2

33 CFR Part 88 (up to date as of 6/24/2024)
Annex V: Pilot Rules

33 CFR 88.07(b)

identification light signal may be used only as an identification signal and conveys no special privilege.
Vessels using the identification light signal during public safety activities must abide by the Inland
Navigation Rules, and must not presume that the light or the exigency gives them precedence or right of
way.
(b) Public safety activities include but are not limited to patrolling marine parades, regattas, or special water
celebrations; traffic control; salvage; firefighting; medical assistance; assisting disabled vessels; and
search and rescue.
[79 FR 37925, July 2, 2014, as amended by USCG-2012-0102, 79 FR 68622, Nov. 18, 2014]

33 CFR 88.07(b) (enhanced display)

page 2 of 2