
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: 33USC2010]

 
                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. 2010. Traffic separation schemes (Rule 10)


(a) Obligations under other Rules unaffected

    This Rule applies to traffic separation schemes and does not relieve 
any vessel of her obligation under any other Rule.

(b) Duties for vessel using scheme

    A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall:
        (i) proceed in the appropriate traffic lane in the general 
    direction of traffic flow for that lane;
        (ii) so far as practicable keep clear of a traffic separation 
    line or separation zone;
        (iii) normally join or leave a traffic lane at the termination 
    of the lane, but when joining or leaving from either side shall do 
    so at as small an angle to the general direction of traffic flow as 
    practicable.

(c) Crossing traffic lanes

    A vessel shall, so far as practicable, avoid crossing traffic lanes 
but if obliged to do so shall cross on a heading as nearly as 
practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow.

(d) Use of inshore traffic lane

    (i) A vessel shall not use an inshore traffic zone when she can 
safely use the appropriate traffic lane within the adjacent traffic 
separation scheme. However, vessels of less than twenty meters in 
length, sailing vessels, and vessels engaged in fishing may use the 
inshore traffic zone.
    (ii) Notwithstanding subparagraph (d)(i), a vessel may use an 
inshore traffic zone when en route to or from a port, offshore 
installation or structure, pilot station, or any other place situated 
within the inshore traffic zone, or to avoid immediate danger.

(e) Entering separation zone or crossing separation line

    A vessel other than a crossing vessel or a vessel joining or leaving 
a lane shall not normally enter a separation zone or cross a separation 
line except:
        (i) in cases of emergency to avoid immediate danger; or
        (ii) to engage in fishing within a separation zone.

(f) Caution in areas near termination of scheme

    A vessel navigating in areas near the terminations of traffic 
separation schemes shall do so with particular caution.

(g) Anchoring

    A vessel shall so far as practicable avoid anchoring in a traffic 
separation scheme or in areas near its terminations.

(h) Avoidance of scheme

    A vessel not using a traffic separation scheme shall avoid it by as 
wide a margin as is practicable.

(i) Fishing vessels

    A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any 
vessel following a traffic lane.

(j) Power-driven vessels

    A vessel of less than twenty meters in length or a sailing vessel 
shall not impede the safe passage of a power-driven vessel following a 
traffic lane.

(k) Exemption; maintenance of safety of navigation

    A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver when engaged in an 
operation for the maintenance of safety of navigation in a traffic 
separation scheme is exempted from complying with this Rule to the 
extent necessary to carry out the operation.

(1) \1\ Exemption; laying, servicing, or picking up submarine cable
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    \1\ So in original. Probably should be ``(l)''.
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    A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver when engaged in an 
operation for the laying, servicing, or picking up of a submarine cable, 
within a traffic separation scheme, is exempted from complying with this 
Rule to the extent necessary to carry out the operation.

(Pub. L. 96-591, Sec. 2, Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3420; Pub. L. 102-587, 
title V, Sec. 5206(2), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5074.)

                          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

    1992--Pub. L. 102-587 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, 
section read as follows: ``Each vessel required by regulation to 
participate in a vessel traffic service shall comply with the applicable 
regulations.''

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

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