1625-0082 Stat/Authority

§ 164.76

33 CFR Ch. I (7–1–23 Edition)

and can be operated without power to
the winch.
[CGD 94–020, 61 FR 35074, July 3, 1996, as
amended by USCG–1999–5151, 64 FR 67176,
Dec. 1, 1999]

§ 164.76 Towline and terminal gear for
towing alongside and pushing
ahead.
The owner, master, or operator of
each vessel towing alongside or pushing ahead shall ensure that the face
wires, spring lines, and push gear
used—
(a) Are appropriate for the vessel’s
horsepower;
(b) Are appropriate for the arrangement of the tow;
(c) Are frequently inspected; and
(d) Remain serviceable.

(6) Knows the speed and direction of
the current, and the set, drift, and
tidal state for the area to be transited;
(7) Proceeds at a safe speed taking
into account the weather, visibility,
density of traffic, draft of tow, possibility of wake damage, speed and direction of the current, and local speedlimits; and
(8) Monitors the voyage plan required
by § 164.80.
(b) The owner, master, or operator of
each vessel towing shall ensure that
the tests and inspections required by
§ 164.80 are conducted and that the results are entered in the log or other
record carried on board.
[CGD 94–020, 61 FR 35075, July 3, 1996, as
amended by USCG–2000–6931, 68 FR 22610,
Apr. 29, 2003; 69 FR 34068, June 18, 2004]

kking on DSK6VXHR33PROD with CFR

[CGD 94–020, 61 FR 35075, July 3, 1996]

§ 164.78 Navigation under way: Towing
vessels.
(a) The owner, master, or operator of
each vessel towing shall ensure that
each person directing and controlling
the movement of the vessel—
(1) Understands the arrangement of
the tow and the effects of maneuvering
on the vessel towing and on the vessel,
barge, or object being towed;
(2) Can fix the position of the vessel
using installed navigational equipment, aids to navigation, geographic
reference-points,
and
hydrographic
contours;
(3) Does not fix the position of the
vessel using buoys alone (Buoys are
aids to navigation placed in approximate positions either to alert mariners
to hazards to navigation or to indicate
the orientation of a channel. They may
not maintain exact charted positions,
because strong or varying currents,
heavy seas, ice, and collisions with vessels can move or sink them or set them
adrift. Although they may corroborate
a position fixed by other means, they
cannot fix a position; however, if no
other aids are available, buoys alone
may establish an estimated position.);
(4) Evaluates the danger of each closing visual or radar contact;
(5) Knows and applies the variation
and deviation, where a magnetic compass is fitted and where charts or maps
have enough detail to enable this type
of correction;

§ 164.80 Tests, inspections, and voyage
planning.
(a) The owner, master, or operator of
each towing vessel of less than 1,600 GT
shall ensure that the following tests
and inspections of gear occur before
the vessel embarks on a voyage of more
than 24 hours or when each new master
or operator assumes command:
(1) Steering-systems. A test of the
steering-gear-control system; a test of
the main steering gear from the alternative power supply, if installed; a
verification of the rudder-angle indicator relative to the actual position of
the rudder; and a visual inspection of
the steering gear and its linkage.
(2) Navigational equipment. A test of
all installed navigational equipment.
(3) Communications. Operation of all
internal vessel control communications and vessel-control alarms, if installed.
(4) Lights. Operation of all navigational lights and all searchlights.
(5) Terminal gear. Visual inspection of
tackle; of connections of bridle and
towing pendant, if applicable; of chafing gear; and of the winch brake, if installed.
(6) Propulsion systems. Visual inspection of the spaces for main propulsion
machinery, of machinery, and of devices for monitoring machinery.
(b) The owner, master, or operator of
each towing vessel of 1,600 GT or more
shall ensure that the following tests of

676

VerDate Sep<11>2014

15:04 Oct 03, 2023

Jkt 259139

PO 00000

Frm 00686

Fmt 8010

Sfmt 8010

Y:\SGML\259139.XXX

259139