U.S. Code, Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters

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Author: "U.S. Congress, Office of the Law Revision Counsel"

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§ 2023. Power-Driven Vessels Underway (Rule 23)

(a) Lights exhibited by power-driven vessels underway

     A power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit:

     (i) a masthead light forward;

     (ii) a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one; except that a vessel of less than 50 meters in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such light but may do so;

     (iii) sidelights; and

     (iv) a sternlight.

(b) Air-cushion vessels

     An air-cushion vessel when operating in the nondisplacement mode shall, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit an all-round flashing yellow light where it can best be seen.

(c) Alternative lights for power-driven vessels of less than 12 meters in length

     A power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may, in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights.

(d) Power-driven vessels when operating on Great Lakes

     A power-driven vessel when operating on the Great Lakes may carry an all-round white light in lieu of the second masthead light and sternlight prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule. The light shall be carried in the position of the second masthead light and be visible at the same minimum range.

(Pub. L. 96–591, § 2, Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3424; Pub. L. 104–324, title VII, § 701(3), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3932.)

Codification

     Section was enacted as part of section 2 of Pub. L. 96–591 which enacted the Inland Navigational Rules which comprise this subchapter.

Amendments

     1996—Par. (a)(i). Pub. L. 104–324, which directed the striking out of "except that a vessel of less than 20 meters in length need not exhibit this light forward of amidships but shall exhibit it as far forward as is practicable;" after "masthead light forward", was executed by striking out that language, which appeared after "masthead light forward;" to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

     This section is referred to in sections 2020, 2024, 2027, 2031, 2038 of this title.

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Chicago: "U.S. Congress, Office of the Law Revision Counsel", "§ 2023. Power-Driven Vessels Underway (Rule 23)," U.S. Code, Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters in U.S. Code, Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 2002), Original Sources, accessed March 28, 2024, http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=8EGC2W5MTALS3JW.

MLA: "U.S. Congress, Office of the Law Revision Counsel". "§ 2023. Power-Driven Vessels Underway (Rule 23)." U.S. Code, Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, in U.S. Code, Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, Washington, D.C., Government Printing Office, 2002, Original Sources. 28 Mar. 2024. http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=8EGC2W5MTALS3JW.

Harvard: "U.S. Congress, Office of the Law Revision Counsel", '§ 2023. Power-Driven Vessels Underway (Rule 23)' in U.S. Code, Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters. cited in 2002, U.S. Code, Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.. Original Sources, retrieved 28 March 2024, from http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=8EGC2W5MTALS3JW.