
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: 33USC2007]

 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
                  CHAPTER 34--INLAND NAVIGATIONAL RULES
 
                           SUBCHAPTER I--RULES
 
                   Part B--Steering and Sailing Rules
 
      subpart i--conduct of vessels in any condition of visibility
 
Sec. 2007. Risk of collision (Rule 7)


(a) Determination if risk exists

    Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the 
prevailing circumstances and conditions to determine if risk of 
collision exists. If there is any doubt such risk shall be deemed to 
exist.

(b) Radar

    Proper use shall be made of radar equipment if fitted and 
operational, including long-range scanning to obtain early warning of 
risk of collision and radar plotting or equivalent systematic 
observation of detected objects.

(c) Scanty information

    Assumptions shall not be made on the basis of scanty information, 
especially scanty radar information.

(d) Considerations taken into account in determining if risk exists

    In determining if risk of collision exists the following 
considerations shall be among those taken into account:
        (i) such risk shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing of 
    an approaching vessel does not appreciably change; and
        (ii) such risk may sometimes exist even when an appreciable 
    bearing change is evident, particularly when approaching a very 
    large vessel or a tow or when approaching a vessel at close range.

(Pub. L. 96-591, Sec. 2, Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3418.)

                          Codification

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

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 2004, 2013, 2018, 2019 of 
this title.
