R 031819Z OCT 14

ALCOAST 411/14
COMDTNOTE 3530
SUBJ: PROMULGATION OF THE NAVIGATION RULES AND REGULATIONS HANDBOOK
A. Promulgation of the Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook,
COMDTINST 16672.2
B. Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook, August 2014 ed
C. Navigation Rules, International - Inland, COMDTINST M16672.2D
1. This ALCOAST announces the issue of References (A) and (B).
Reference (C) is hereby cancelled.
2. As a result of several changes to the International Regulations
for Prevention of Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), 1972, and the Inland
Navigation Rules, an update to the publication "Navigation Rules" is
required.  Due to the nature of the content of Reference (C), (i.e.
laws and regulations without any foundational CG policy or direction)
COMDT (CG-5PW) has decided to reconfigure and rename the publication
containing the Rules as the "Navigation Rules and Regulations
Handbook" (Reference (B)).  The Handbook refers to laws and
regulations that are legally binding.  All users of the waterways, US
Coast Guard and civilian mariners, must follow the laws and
regulations that have been reprinted in the Handbook and compiled for
easy reference.
3.  The Handbook contains the COLREGs and the Inland Navigational
Rules, which were enacted by law on 24 Dec 1980 and became effective
for all inland waters except the Great Lakes on 24 December 1981.
The Inland Rules became effective on the Great Lakes on 1 March 1983.
Some differences do remain between the International and Inland
Rules. The side-by-side presentation of the Rules in this publication
allows mariners to readily determine those differences.
Additionally, other Laws and Regulations pertinent for mariners and
waterway users are also included in the Handbook, e.g., Bridge to
Bridge Radiotelephone Act and Vessel Traffic Services.
4. Reference (B) incorporates the changes, previously published via
Local Notice to Mariners, as adopted by the International Maritime
Organization (IMO) or domestic regulatory change.  This includes the
recent amendments to 33 CFR 83-88, which changed the format of the
Inland Navigation Rules, published in the Federal Register on 2 Jul
2014.  These became effective on 1 Aug 2014.  Other changes that
became effective since the last edition was printed have been
incorporated by Notice to Mariners changes.
5. No paper distribution will be made of these publications.
References (A) and (B) are available at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/
and by selecting the NavRules tab.  Reference (A) is also available
on the Internet:  http://www.uscg.mil/directives/, and CGPortal:
https://cgportal2.uscg.mil/library/directives/SitePages/Home.aspx.
COMDT (CG-5PW) has confirmed that GPO will make the handbook
available on a print on demand basis.
6. Units and vessel operators are reminded that 33 CFR 83.01(g)
requires: 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.
        A. The Navigation Rules book is not included in the memo
published in 2010 by COMDT (CG-543), now COMDT (CG-CVC)
(https://www.uscg.mil/hq/cgcvc/cvc/policy/policy(underscore)letters/5
43/CG-543(underscore)pol11-08.pdf)that
allows the electronic format of specific navigation publications.
        B. The impediment to allowing an electronic copy of the
Navigation Rules is the requirement for access and "ready reference".
The rule of thumb for "ready reference" means that vessel operators
must be able to open up the book in two minutes or less.  Such access
is challenging for many electronic devices, especially if they are on
a computer or laptop.
7. Questions concerning the Handbook as well as COLREGS and Inland
Navigation Rules should be directed to LCDR M. Cull, 202-372-1565 or
cgnav(at)uscg.mil.
8. Mr. Gary Rasicot, Director, Marine Transportation Systems
Management, sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.