
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 33USC2002]

 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
                  CHAPTER 34--INLAND NAVIGATIONAL RULES
 
                           SUBCHAPTER I--RULES
 
                             Part A--General
 
Sec. 2002. Responsibility (Rule 2)


(a) Exoneration

    Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, 
master, or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to comply 
with these Rules or of the neglect of any precaution which may be 
required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special 
circumstances of the case.

(b) Departure from rules when necessary to avoid immediate danger

    In construing and complying with these Rules due regard shall be had 
to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special 
circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved, which 
may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid immediate 
danger.

(Pub. L. 96-591, Sec. 2, Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3416.)

                       References in Text

    These Rules, referred to in text, are the Inland Navigational Rules 
which are classified to this subchapter.

                          Codification

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