
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: 33USC2003]

 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
                  CHAPTER 34--INLAND NAVIGATIONAL RULES
 
                           SUBCHAPTER I--RULES
 
                             Part A--General
 
Sec. 2003. Definitions (Rule 3)

    For the purpose of these Rules and this chapter, except where the 
context otherwise requires:
    (a) The word ``vessel'' includes every description of water craft, 
including nondisplacement craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being 
used as a means of transportation on water;
    (b) The term ``power-driven vessel'' means any vessel propelled by 
machinery;
    (c) The term ``sailing vessel'' means any vessel under sail provided 
that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used;
    (d) The term ``vessel engaged in fishing'' means any vessel fishing 
with nets, lines, trawls, or other fishing apparatus which restricts 
maneuverability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling 
lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict maneuverability;
    (e) The word ``seaplane'' includes any aircraft designed to maneuver 
on the water;
    (f) The term ``vessel not under command'' means a vessel which 
through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required 
by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another 
vessel;
    (g) The term ``vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver'' means 
a vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability 
to maneuver as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep 
out of the way of another vessel; vessels restricted in their ability to 
maneuver include, but are not limited to:
        (i) a vessel engaged in laying, servicing, or picking up a 
    navigation mark, submarine cable, or pipeline;
        (ii) a vessel engaged in dredging, surveying, or underwater 
    operations;
        (iii) a vessel engaged in replenishment or transferring persons, 
    provisions, or cargo while underway;
        (iv) a vessel engaged in the launching or recovery of aircraft;
        (v) a vessel engaged in mineclearance operations; and
        (vi) a vessel engaged in a towing operation such as severely 
    restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate 
    from their course.

    (h) The word ``underway'' means that a vessel is not at anchor, or 
made fast to the shore, or aground;
    (i) The words ``length'' and ``breadth'' of a vessel mean her length 
overall and greatest breadth;
    (j) Vessels shall be deemed to be in sight of one another only when 
one can be observed visually from the other;
    (k) The term ``restricted visibility'' means any condition in which 
visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, 
sandstorms, or any other similar causes;
    (l) ``Western Rivers'' means the Mississippi River, its tributaries, 
South Pass, and Southwest Pass, to the navigational demarcation lines 
dividing the high seas from harbors, rivers, and other inland waters of 
the United States, and the Port Allen-Morgan City Alternate Route, and 
that part of the Atchafalaya River above its junction with the Port 
Allen-Morgan City Alternate Route including the Old River and the Red 
River;
    (m) ``Great Lakes'' means the Great Lakes and their connecting and 
tributary waters including the Calumet River as far as the Thomas J. 
O'Brien Lock and Controlling Works (between mile 326 and 327), the 
Chicago River as far as the east side of the Ashland Avenue Bridge 
(between mile 321 and 322), and the Saint Lawrence River as far east as 
the lower exit of Saint Lambert Lock;
    (n) ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating;
    (o) ``Inland Waters'' means the navigable waters of the United 
States shoreward of the navigational demarcation lines dividing the high 
seas from harbors, rivers, and other inland waters of the United States 
and the waters of the Great Lakes on the United States side of the 
International Boundary;
    (p) ``Inland Rules'' or ``Rules'' mean the Inland Navigational Rules 
and the annexes thereto, which govern the conduct of vessels and specify 
the lights, shapes, and sound signals that apply on inland waters; and
    (q) ``International Regulations'' means the International 
Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, including annexes 
currently in force for the United States.

(Pub. L. 96-591, Sec. 2, Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3416; Pub. L. 100-448, 
Sec. 14(1), Sept. 28, 1988, 102 Stat. 1844.)

                       References in Text

    These Rules and Inland Rules, referred to in text, mean the Inland 
Navigational Rules which are classified to this subchapter.
    This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original ``this Act'', 
meaning Pub. L. 96-591, Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3415, as amended, known 
as the Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980, which enacted this 
chapter, amended sections 151, 1604, 1605, and 1608 of this title, 
repealed sections 154 to 159, 171 to 183, 191, 192, 201 to 213, 221, 
222, 232, 241 to 244, 251 to 262, 271, 272, 281 to 295, 301 to 303, 311 
to 323, 331, 341 to 356, 360, and 360a of this title and sections 526b, 
526c, and 526d of former Title 46, Shipping, and enacted provisions set 
out as notes under section 2001 of this title. For complete 
classification of this Act to the Code see Short Title note set out 
under section 2001 of this title and Tables.
    For the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 
1972, referred to in par. (q), see International Regulations for 
Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, set out as a note under section 1602 
of this title.

                          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

    1988--Par. (g)(v). Pub. L. 100-448 substituted ``mineclearance'' for 
``minesweeping''.
