
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: 33USC2009]

 
                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. 2009. Narrow channels (Rule 9)


(a) Keeping near to outer limit of channel or fairway which lies on 
        vessel's starboard side; exception

    (i) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or 
fairway shall keep as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway 
which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable.
    (ii) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(i) and Rule 14(a), a power-driven 
vessel operating in narrow channels or fairways on the Great Lakes, 
Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, and proceeding 
downbound with a following current shall have the right-of-way over an 
upbound vessel, shall propose the manner and place of passage, and shall 
initiate the maneuvering signals prescribed by Rule 34(a)(i), as 
appropriate. The vessel proceeding upbound against the current shall 
hold as necessary to permit safe passing.

(b) Vessels of less than 20 meters in length; sailing vessels

    A vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall 
not impede the passage of a vessel that can safely navigate only within 
a narrow channel or fairway.

(c) Vessels engaged in fishing

    A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any 
other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway.

(d) Crossing narrow channels or fairways

    A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway if such 
crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only 
within that channel or fairway. The latter vessel shall use the danger 
signal prescribed in Rule 34(d) if in doubt as to the intention of the 
crossing vessel.

(e) Overtaking vessels

    (i) In a narrow channel or fairway when overtaking, the power-driven 
vessel intending to overtake another power-driven vessel shall indicate 
her intention by sounding the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 
34(c) and take steps to permit safe passing. The power-driven vessel 
being overtaken, if in agreement, shall sound the same signal and may, 
if specifically agreed to \1\ take steps to permit safe passing. If in 
doubt she shall sound the danger signal prescribed in Rule 34(d).
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    \1\ So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
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    (ii) This Rule does not relieve the overtaking vessel of her 
obligation under Rule 13.

(f) Areas of obscured visibility due to intervening obstructions

    A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a narrow channel or fairway 
where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall 
navigate with particular alertness and caution and shall sound the 
appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(e).

(g) Avoidance of anchoring in narrow channels

    Every vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid 
anchoring in a narrow channel.

(Pub. L. 96-591, Sec. 2, Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3419; Pub. L. 104-324, 
title VII, Sec. 701(1), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3932.)

                       References in Text

    Rule 14, referred to in par. (a)(ii), is classified to section 2014 
of this title.
    Rule 34, referred to in pars. (a)(ii), (d), (e)(i), and (f), is 
classified to section 2034 of this title.
    Rule 13, referred to in par. (e)(ii), is classified to section 2013 
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

    1996--Par. (e)(i). Pub. L. 104-324 amended par. (e)(i) generally. 
Prior to amendment, par. (e)(i) read as follows: ``In a narrow channel 
or fairway when overtaking, the vessel intending to overtake shall 
indicate her intention by sounding the appropriate signal prescribed in 
Rule 34(c) and take steps to permit safe passing. The overtaken vessel, 
if in agreement, shall sound the same signal. If in doubt she shall 
sound the danger signal prescribed in Rule 34(d).''

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

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