
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: 33USC2027]

 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
                  CHAPTER 34--INLAND NAVIGATIONAL RULES
 
                           SUBCHAPTER I--RULES
 
                        Part C--Lights and Shapes
 
Sec. 2027. Vessels not under command or restricted in their 
        ability to maneuver (Rule 27)
        

(a) Vessels not under command

    A vessel not under command shall exhibit:
        (i) two all-round red lights in a vertical line where they can 
    best be seen;
        (ii) two balls or similar shapes in a vertical line where they 
    can best be seen; and
        (iii) when making way through the water, in addition to the 
    lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.

(b) Vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver

    A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, except a vessel 
engaged in mineclearance operations, shall exhibit:
        (i) three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can 
    best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red 
    and the middle light shall be white;
        (ii) three shapes in a vertical line where they can best be 
    seen. The highest and lowest of these shapes shall be balls and the 
    middle one a diamond;
        (iii) when making way through the water, masthead lights, 
    sidelights and a sternlight, in addition to the lights prescribed in 
    subparagraph (b)(i); and
        (iv) when at anchor, in addition to the lights or shapes 
    prescribed in subparagraphs (b)(i) and (ii), the light, lights or 
    shapes prescribed in Rule 30.

(c) Vessels engaged in towing operations

    A vessel engaged in a towing operation which severely restricts the 
towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course 
shall, in addition to the lights or shapes prescribed in subparagraphs 
(b)(i) and (ii) of this Rule, exhibit the lights or shape prescribed in 
Rule 24.

(d) Vessels engaged in dredging or underwater operations

    A vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations, when 
restricted in her ability to maneuver, shall exhibit the lights and 
shapes prescribed in subparagraphs (b)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this Rule 
and shall in addition, when an obstruction exists, exhibit:
        (i) two all-round red lights or two balls in a vertical line to 
    indicate the side on which the obstruction exists;
        (ii) two all-round green lights or two diamonds in a vertical 
    line to indicate the side on which another vessel may pass; and
        (iii) when at anchor, the lights or shape prescribed by this 
    paragraph, instead of the lights or shapes prescribed in Rule 30 for 
    anchored vessels.

(e) Vessels engaged in diving operations

    Whenever the size of a vessel engaged in diving operations makes it 
impracticable to exhibit all lights and shapes prescribed in paragraph 
(d) of this Rule, the following shall instead be exhibited:
        (i) Three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can 
    best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red 
    and the middle light shall be white.
        (ii) A rigid replica of the international Code flag ``A'' not 
    less than 1 meter in height. Measures shall be taken to insure its 
    all-round visibility.

(f) Vessels engaged in mineclearance operations

    A vessel engaged in mineclearance operations shall, in addition to 
the lights prescribed for a power-driven vessel in Rule 23 or to the 
lights or shape prescribed for a vessel at anchor in Rule 30, as 
appropriate, exhibit three all-round green lights or three balls. One of 
these lights or shapes shall be exhibited near the foremast head and one 
at each end of the fore yard. These lights or shapes indicate that it is 
dangerous for another vessel to approach within 1,000 meters of the 
mineclearance vessel.

(g) Vessels of less than 12 meters in length

    A vessel of less than 12 meters in length, except when engaged in 
diving operations, is not required to exhibit the lights or shapes 
prescribed in this Rule.

(h) Signals of vessels in distress and requiring assistance

    The signals prescribed in this Rule are not signals of vessels in 
distress and requiring assistance. Such signals are contained in Annex 
IV to these Rules.

(Pub. L. 96-591, Sec. 2, Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3427; Pub. L. 100-448, 
Sec. 14(2), (3), Sept. 28, 1988, 102 Stat. 1844.)

                       References in Text

    Rule 30, referred to in pars. (b)(iv), (d)(iii), and (f), is 
classified to section 2030 of this title.
    Rule 24, referred to in par. (c), is classified to section 2024 of 
this title.
    Rule 23, referred to in par. (f), is classified to section 2023 of 
this title.
    Annex IV to these Rules, referred to in par. (h), is to be 
established by the Secretary under section 2071 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. (b). Pub. L. 100-448, Sec. 14(2), substituted 
``mineclearance'' for ``minesweeping'' in introductory provisions.
    Par. (f). Pub. L. 100-448, Sec. 14(3), amended par. (f) generally. 
Prior to amendment, par. (f) read as follows: ``A vessel engaged in 
minesweeping operations shall, in addition to the lights prescribed for 
a power-driven vessel in Rule 23, exhibit three all-round green lights 
or three balls. One of these lights or shapes shall be exhibited near 
the foremast head and one at each end of the fore yard. These lights or 
shapes indicate that it is dangerous for another vessel to approach 
closer than 1,000 meters astern or 500 meters on either side of the 
minesweeper.''

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

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