Framework
Governing: 33 CFR 83.01 (Rule 1); International Navigational Rules Act of 1977 (33 U.S.C. 1601–1608); Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980; 33 CFR Parts 84–90. The xplor COLREGs trainer covers the International Rules. This course covers the Inland deltas and the examination.
Why there are two books
The United States is party to the 72 COLREGS, which entered into force on 15 July 1977 and were enacted as the International Navigational Rules Act of 1977. They govern US-flag vessels on the high seas and every vessel in US waters seaward of the COLREGS Demarcation Lines.
Inside those lines the Inland Navigation Rules apply. The Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980 swept away the old Inland Rules, Western Rivers Rules, Great Lakes Rules and their pilot rules. The Inland Rules took effect on 24 December 1981, and on the Great Lakes on 1 March 1983. The current text sits in 33 CFR Part 83, published under USCG-2012-0102 (79 FR 37912, 2 July 2014) and amended since.
The NAVCEN handbook puts the point plainly: apart from Annex V, the two sets of rules “are very similar in both content and format”. Your job is to learn the deltas, not a second philosophy.
How the Inland Rules are built
| Element | Inland location |
|---|---|
| Rules 1–38 | 33 CFR Part 83 |
| Annex I – positioning of lights and shapes | Part 84 |
| Annex II – fishing in close proximity | Part 85 (reserved; content now in Rule 26(f)) |
| Annex III – sound appliances | Part 86 |
| Annex IV – distress signals | Part 87 |
| Annex V – Pilot Rules | Part 88 |
| Implementing rules | Part 89 |
| Interpretative rules | Part 90 |
| Demarcation lines | Part 80 |
Rule 1 – who is caught
- 83.01(a) – “These Rules apply to all vessels upon the inland waters of the United States, and to vessels of the United States on the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes to the extent that there is no conflict with Canadian law.”
- 83.01(b)(i) – the Inland Rules are “special rules” under COLREGS Rule 1(b). That is how two regimes coexist lawfully.
- 83.01(b)(ii) – a vessel complying with the construction and equipment requirements of the International Regulations is considered compliant with the Inland Rules. Note the scope: lights, shapes and sound appliances. It does not excuse Inland conduct.
CAUTION – Equipment passes, conduct does not A Red Ensign yacht with COLREGS-compliant lights needs no refit to enter US inland waters. Her watchkeepers still have to use Inland whistle signals, Inland right-of-way on the rivers and the bridge-to-bridge rules.
The carriage requirement
83.01(g): “The operator of each self-propelled vessel 12 meters or more in length shall carry, on board and maintain for ready reference, a copy of these Rules.”
NAVCEN states that electronic carriage is permissible, but only as defined in NVIC 01-16. The practical answer for a yacht is the NAVCEN amalgamated handbook, which prints both rulebooks side by side, in print or in an NVIC-compliant electronic form.
Alternative compliance
Where a vessel of special construction or purpose cannot meet the lights, shapes or sound-signal provisions, the Coast Guard may issue a Certificate of Alternative Compliance (83.01(e); Part 89). The certificate, or a certified copy, must be on board (89.18(b)). Under 83.01(f) the Coast Guard may accept a foreign certificate of alternative compliance if the standards are substantially the same.
States and local rules
A 2022 interim rule (87 FR 54390) removed a field-preemption statement wrongly added to 83.01(a) in 2014. State and local governments may still regulate local navigation, so expect local speed and wake rules on top of Part 83.
TIP – Learn the deltas as a list Every lesson in this course ends up in a table of differences. Build your own as you go; it is the fastest revision tool for a 90% module.