
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: 33USC2023]

 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
                  CHAPTER 34--INLAND NAVIGATIONAL RULES
 
                           SUBCHAPTER I--RULES
 
                        Part C--Lights and Shapes
 
Sec. 2023. Power-driven vessels underway (Rule 23)


(a) Lights exhibited by power-driven vessels underway

    A power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit:
        (i) a masthead light forward;
        (ii) a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the 
    forward one; except that a vessel of less than 50 meters in length 
    shall not be obliged to exhibit such light but may do so;
        (iii) sidelights; and
        (iv) a sternlight.

(b) Air-cushion vessels

    An air-cushion vessel when operating in the nondisplacement mode 
shall, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this 
Rule, exhibit an all-round flashing yellow light where it can best be 
seen.

(c) Alternative lights for power-driven vessels of less than 12 meters 
        in length

    A power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may, in lieu 
of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit an all-
round white light and sidelights.

(d) Power-driven vessels when operating on Great Lakes

    A power-driven vessel when operating on the Great Lakes may carry an 
all-round white light in lieu of the second masthead light and 
sternlight prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule. The light shall be 
carried in the position of the second masthead light and be visible at 
the same minimum range.

(Pub. L. 96-591, Sec. 2, Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3424; Pub. L. 104-324, 
title VII, Sec. 701(3), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3932.)

                          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. (a)(i). Pub. L. 104-324, which directed the striking out 
of ``except that a vessel of less than 20 meters in length need not 
exhibit this light forward of amidships but shall exhibit it as far 
forward as is practicable;'' after ``masthead light forward'', was 
executed by striking out that language, which appeared after ``masthead 
light forward;'' to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 2020, 2024, 2027, 2031, 2038 
of this title.
