Coast Guard rules
The federal rules a recreational boat owner has to follow beyond the equipment you must carry: keeping the boat’s paperwork right, what to do after an accident, the Navigation Rules, lights and drawbridges, pollution, security zones, radio and carrying paying passengers. States add rules of their own — boater education, speed and wake limits, alcohol limits and more.
Own a boat? Add her to Custom Boat Manual for these rules and the safety equipment check sized to her length, rig and waters.
Registration & documentation
- State registration number and certificate of number Power & sail
Any boat with an engine of any kind used on US waters, including a sailboat with an auxiliary, needs a state-issued number and a certificate of number aboard, unless it is Coast Guard documented. Your state runs the system within federal rules (33 CFR 173.11, 173.15, 173.21). - Displaying your state number and validation decal Power & sail
A state-numbered boat must show its number on both sides of the forward half of the hull in plain block characters at least 3 inches high, contrasting with the background and reading left to right, with any state validation decal within 6 inches of the number (33 CFR 173.27, 174.15). - Coast Guard documentation: who qualifies and what it allows Power & sail
Documentation is federal registration through the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center. It is optional for pleasure boats of at least 5 net tons wholly owned by US citizens. A recreational endorsement allows pleasure use only, and the original certificate must be aboard (46 CFR 67.5, 67.23, 67.313). - Marking a documented boat: name, hailing port and official number Power & sail
A boat documented for recreation shows its name and hailing port together on the outside of the hull in letters at least 4 inches high, and its official number, after 'NO.', in numerals at least 3 inches high inside. The certificate isn't valid for operation until the boat is marked (46 CFR 67.120, 67.121, 67.123). - Keeping documentation valid: renewal, changes and selling the boat Power & sail
A recreational Certificate of Documentation can be issued or renewed for 1 to 5 years at the owner's choice. Owners must report changes to the certificate's information within 30 days, and a sale or a change of name or hailing port ends the certificate's validity at once (46 CFR 67.163, 67.167, 67.319). - Hull identification number: what the owner must do Power & sail
The hull identification number (HIN) links your registration to the hull. Federal rules forbid anyone to remove or alter it without Coast Guard authorization, and your state must confirm the boat has a valid HIN before issuing, renewing or transferring a registration (33 CFR 181.35, 174.16).
Operating the boat & enforcement
- Boating under the influence (federal rule) Power & sail
Federal law bars anyone from operating a boat while impaired by alcohol or drugs (46 U.S.C. 2302(c)). On a recreational boat the federal limit is a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent, or the state's own statutory limit on that state's waters, and visible impairment counts at any level (33 CFR 95.020, 95.025). - Negligent and grossly negligent operation Power & sail
Federal law penalizes operating a boat negligently, or interfering with its safe operation, in a way that endangers life, limb or property. Grossly negligent operation is a federal crime, and a felony when it causes serious bodily injury (46 U.S.C. 2302(a), (b)). It applies to whoever is operating, on any vessel. - Coast Guard boardings and the Vessel Safety Check Power & sail
Coast Guard officers may board any vessel subject to U.S. law at any time, without suspecting a violation, to ask questions, check documents and inspect the boat (14 U.S.C. 522). A Vessel Safety Check by the Coast Guard Auxiliary is different: voluntary, free, and not law enforcement. - Termination of use for especially hazardous conditions Power & sail
If a boarding officer sees a recreational boat in an unsafe condition that creates an especially hazardous situation, the officer can order the operator to fix it at once, go to a mooring, dock or anchorage, or stop using the boat until it is corrected (46 U.S.C. 4308; 33 CFR 177.05). - Carrying passengers for hire: what counts, and the six-passenger limit Power & sail
A guest is a "passenger for hire" if anyone with an interest in the boat gets money or another benefit as a condition of the trip; voluntary sharing of actual trip expenses doesn't count. With one aboard, an uninspected boat under 100 gross tons may carry at most 6 passengers and needs an OUPV-licensed operator (46 U.S.C. 2101, 8903). - Chartering out your boat: bareboat charters, captained charters and app rentals Power & sail
The law sorts a charter by who supplies the crew. If the charterer supplies it (a bareboat charter), the boat needs inspection only above 12 passengers. If the owner provides or specifies the captain, the limit is 6 passengers with an OUPV-credentialed, drug-tested operator (46 U.S.C. 2101; 46 CFR 15.605, 16.230).
Accidents & assistance
- Reporting a boating accident Power & sail
The operator of a recreational boat must send a written report to the state reporting authority when an accident involving the boat or its equipment causes a death, a disappearance, an injury needing more than first aid, $2,000 or more in damage, or a total loss (33 CFR 173.55). Deaths and disappearances also need immediate notice (33 CFR 173.53). - Duties after an accident, and helping people in danger Power & sail
The person in charge of a boat involved in a marine casualty must help those endangered by it and give name, address and boat identification to the others involved (46 U.S.C. 2303). Separately, every skipper must help anyone found at sea in danger of being lost, if it can be done without serious danger (46 U.S.C. 2304).
Navigation Rules, lights & bridges
- International or Inland Rules: which apply where Power & sail
Two rule sets govern US waters: the International Rules (COLREGS) seaward of the demarcation lines in 33 CFR 80, and the Inland Rules (33 CFR 83) shoreward of them and on the Great Lakes. Most rules are identical; the differences show up mainly in whistle signals and a few river rules. - Lookout, safe speed and avoiding collision (Rules 2, 5-8) Power & sail
In any visibility, the Rules require every vessel to keep a proper lookout, go at a safe speed, use all available means to judge the risk of collision, and take early, obvious action to avoid it. These duties bind the stand-on vessel too, and are the same under the International and Inland Rules. - Narrow channels and traffic lanes (Rules 9 and 10) Power & sail
In a narrow channel or fairway, keep to the starboard side. A boat under 20 meters (65.6 ft), and any sailing vessel, must not impede a vessel that can navigate only within the channel. Similar duties apply in traffic separation schemes. The Inland Rules add stricter signal duties and a downbound rule on rivers. - Who gives way: overtaking, meeting, crossing and sailboats (Rules 11-17) Power & sail
When vessels can see each other, one is usually the give-way vessel and the other the stand-on vessel. Overtaking boats keep clear; power-driven boats meeting head-on both turn to starboard; when crossing, the boat with the other on its starboard side gives way. Rule 12 sorts out two sailboats. - The order of responsibility between vessels (Rule 18) Power & sail
Rule 18 sets who keeps out of whose way by vessel type. Power-driven vessels keep clear of vessels not under command, restricted in their ability to maneuver, engaged in fishing, or under sail. Sailing vessels keep clear of the first three. The overtaking, narrow-channel and traffic-lane rules come first. - Navigating in fog and restricted visibility (Rule 19) Power & sail
When vessels can't see each other in or near fog, mist, snow or heavy rain, Rule 19 replaces the give-way and stand-on rules. Every vessel must go at a safe speed for the visibility, keep engines ready, avoid close quarters, and slow right down when it hears a fog signal ahead of the beam. - Whistle signals in sight: International vs Inland (Rules 32 and 34) Power & sail
When vessels are in sight, horn signals announce maneuvers and warn of danger. Under the COLREGS a power-driven vessel's signal reports what it is doing now; under the Inland Rules it states an intention that the other vessel must answer. The danger and bend signals are the same in both. - Horn, bell and fog signals by boat length (Rules 33 and 35) Power & sail
Boats 12 meters (39.4 ft) and over must have a whistle (horn), and boats 20 meters (65.6 ft) and over a bell as well; smaller boats need some other efficient sound signal. In or near restricted visibility, every boat must sound the Rule 35 fog signal for what it is doing, at the set intervals. - Navigation lights on a power boat Power boats
The Navigation Rules require a power-driven vessel underway from sunset to sunrise, and in restricted visibility, to show a masthead light, red and green sidelights and a white sternlight. Boats under 12 meters (39.4 ft) have a simpler option. Inland and International Rules are nearly the same here (Inland Rules 20, 23). - Navigation lights on a sailboat Sailboats
Under sail at night a sailboat shows sidelights and a sternlight; under 20 meters (65.6 ft) they may be combined in one masthead tricolour. Once the engine is driving her, even with sails up, she is a power-driven vessel and must show power-boat lights (Inland Rules 3, 23, 25). - Anchor light, anchor ball and moorings Power & sail
At anchor a boat shows an all-round white light at night and one black ball by day. On Inland waters a boat on a mooring buoy counts as anchored. Inland Rules exempt boats under 20 meters (65.6 ft) anchored in a Coast Guard special anchorage area (Inland Rule 30; 33 CFR 90.5, 110.1). - Day shapes: motor-sailing cone, not under command, diving Power & sail
Day shapes are the daytime version of special lights. A recreational boat may need an anchor ball, a cone point-down when motor-sailing, two balls when disabled, or a rigid flag 'A' when diving. Inland Rules excuse some boats under 12 meters (39.4 ft) (Inland Rules 20, 25, 27, 30). - Asking a drawbridge to open Power & sail
Under 33 CFR part 117 you ask a drawbridge to open by horn, visual signal or radio, and you repeat the signal until the drawtender acknowledges it. A bridge must open promptly and fully on signal unless its own entry in subpart B says otherwise. Asking for an opening you don't need is prohibited. - Drawbridge schedules and when bridges need not open Power & sail
The general rule is that a drawbridge opens promptly and fully on signal (33 CFR 117.5). Many bridges have their own schedule, advance-notice rule or closed periods, listed by state and waterway in 33 CFR part 117, subpart B. Those entries override the general rules. - Air draft and passing under bridges Power & sail
Know your boat's air draft, its height above the waterline, before you reach a bridge. You may not ask a drawbridge to open if lowering antennas or similar fittings would let you pass. Chart clearances are usually measured from mean high water, not today's water level (33 CFR 117.11, 118.160).
Oil, garbage & sewage
- Oil and fuel: no sheen, and report every spill Power & sail
Federal law bans putting oil or fuel into US waters in any amount that leaves a sheen, film or sludge. If your boat causes one, the person in charge must call the National Response Center at once. Soap or chemicals on a sheen are banned, and oily bilge water stays aboard for disposal ashore. Applies to every boat. - Garbage: what may go overboard, and where Power & sail
The Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships and MARPOL Annex V (amended 2013) apply to US recreational boats wherever they are. Plastics may never go overboard; nothing at all in rivers, lakes, bays or the Great Lakes; offshore only food scraps, at set distances. Boats 26 ft and up need a placard; some 40 ft and up need a written plan. - Sewage: marine toilets, holding tanks and No-Discharge Zones Power & sail
A boat with an installed toilet must have a working Coast Guard-certified marine sanitation device (MSD). Untreated sewage may not be discharged within 3 miles of shore or on inland waters; in No-Discharge Zones nothing may go overboard, treated or not, and valves must be secured. States add their own zones and rules.
Security & safety zones
- Naval Vessel Protection Zones: keeping clear of Navy ships Power & sail
Every U.S. naval vessel longer than 100 feet in U.S. navigable waters is surrounded by a 500-yard protection zone. Inside it you must slow to the minimum speed for a safe course and follow the patrol's directions, and you may not come within 100 yards without permission (33 CFR 165.2015, 165.2025, 165.2030). - Security zones, safety zones and regulated navigation areas Power & sail
The Coast Guard can limit access to waters with safety zones (hazards and events such as fireworks), security zones (to protect vessels, ports and waterfront facilities) and regulated navigation areas (special traffic rules). You may not enter a safety or security zone without permission (33 CFR 165.20 to 165.33).
Radio
- FCC licences and operator permits for your boat's radios Power & sail
A recreational boat that stays in U.S. waters, is not required to carry a radio and does not talk to foreign stations is "licensed by rule" for VHF, AIS, EPIRB and radar: no FCC paperwork. Foreign ports, foreign contacts, HF/SSB and boats required to carry radio need a ship station licence (47 CFR 80.13). - MMSI numbers and DSC radios Power & sail
An MMSI is the nine-digit identity your DSC radio and AIS transmit. You must program one into a DSC radio before you transmit. Domestic-only boats get one from an FCC-authorized registrar (BoatUS, U.S. Power Squadrons, Shine Micro); licensed boats get theirs from the FCC with the licence (47 CFR 80.5; FCC; NavCen). - Radio watch, channel 16, channel 9 and radio checks Power & sail
If your boat has a VHF, FCC rules require a listening watch on channel 16 (recreational boats may use channel 9 instead) whenever you are underway and not using the radio. Channel 16 is for distress, safety and brief calls only. Do voice radio checks on channel 9, never 16 (47 CFR 80.310; NavCen). - False distress calls and hoax MAYDAYs Power & sail
Knowingly sending a false distress message to the Coast Guard is a federal felony that also brings a civil penalty and the bill for the whole search (14 U.S.C. 521(c)). The Communications Act separately bans false or fraudulent distress signals (47 U.S.C. 325(a)). - Bridge-to-Bridge radio rules for large yachts Power & sail
The Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act covers every power-driven vessel 20 meters (65.6 ft) or longer while navigating, vessels of 100 gross tons or more carrying passengers for hire, towing vessels 26 feet or longer, and dredges. They must keep a VHF watch on channel 13 (33 CFR 26.03, 26.04).
Reference tables
Documented vs state-numbered boat: the paperwork side by side
| Item | State-numbered boat | Documented boat (recreational endorsement) |
|---|---|---|
| Who issues it | Your state boating agency, for the state where the boat is used most (33 CFR 173.15, 173.71) | Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center (46 CFR 67.141) |
| Who needs or can get it | Any boat with an engine used on US waters, unless documented (33 CFR 173.11) | Optional for pleasure boats of at least 5 net tons wholly owned by US citizens (46 CFR 67.5) |
| Outside the hull | Number on both sides of the forward half, block characters at least 3 in, contrasting, left to right; decal within 6 in (33 CFR 173.27, 174.15) | Name and hailing port together, letters at least 4 in; no state number (46 CFR 67.123; 33 CFR 173.33) |
| Inside the hull | No federal marking beyond the HIN | 'NO.' plus official number, numerals at least 3 in, on a structural part (46 CFR 67.121) |
| Paper aboard | Certificate of number, hard copy or digital (33 CFR 173.21) | Original Certificate of Documentation (46 CFR 67.313) |
| How long it lasts | Set by the state, 3 years at most (33 CFR 174.27) | 1 to 5 years, owner's choice (46 CFR 67.163) |
| Reporting deadline | 15 days: address, theft or recovery, lost certificate, transfer, destroyed or abandoned (33 CFR 173.29) | 30 days for any change in the certificate's information (46 CFR 67.319, 67.321) |
| When sold | Certificate invalid once the owner transfers all ownership; surrender it as the state directs (33 CFR 173.77, 173.31) | Certificate invalid immediately; new owner applies for an exchange with title evidence (46 CFR 67.167, 67.141) |
| Hull identification number | Never remove or alter it (33 CFR 181.35) | Never remove or alter it (33 CFR 181.35) |
Federal minimums only. States set fees, terms and decal placement, may require registration and a decal on documented boats, and may set shorter deadlines. Check your state boating agency. Regulation text read from eCFR as of 2026-09-01.
The rules: 33 CFR 173.11 · 33 CFR 173.15 · 33 CFR 173.21 · 33 CFR 173.27 · 33 CFR 173.29 · 33 CFR 173.31 · 33 CFR 173.33 · 33 CFR 173.71 · 33 CFR 173.77 · 33 CFR 174.15 · 33 CFR 174.27 · 33 CFR 181.35 · 46 CFR 67.5 · 46 CFR 67.121 · 46 CFR 67.123 · 46 CFR 67.141 · 46 CFR 67.163 · 46 CFR 67.167 · 46 CFR 67.313 · 46 CFR 67.319 · 46 CFR 67.321
Sources (7)
ecfr.gov · ecfr.gov · ecfr.gov · ecfr.gov · boatus.com · dol.wa.gov · dbw.parks.ca.gov
Accident reports: when and how fast
| What happened | Immediate notice by quickest means? | Written report due | Cite |
|---|---|---|---|
| A person dies within 24 hours of the accident | Yes | Within 48 hours of the accident | 33 CFR 173.53; 173.55(b)(1) |
| A person dies more than 24 hours after the accident | Yes | Within 10 days of the accident or death, unless an earlier report was already due (for example, for the injury) | 33 CFR 173.53; 173.55(b)(3) |
| A person disappears from the boat in circumstances suggesting death or injury | Yes | Within 48 hours of the accident | 33 CFR 173.53; 173.55(b)(2) |
| A person is injured and needs medical treatment beyond first aid | Not required by the federal rule | Within 48 hours of the accident | 33 CFR 173.55(b)(2) |
| Damage to boats and other property totals $2,000 or more, or a boat is a complete loss | Not required by the federal rule | Within 10 days of the accident | 33 CFR 173.55(b)(3) |
The operator files; if the operator cannot, the owner does. Send it to the state that numbered the boat (or the state where it is mainly used if it has no number), or to the state where the accident happened if that is a different state. States can add their own rules and forms.
The rules: 33 CFR 173.53 · 33 CFR 173.55 · 33 CFR 173.59
Sources (4)
Termination of use: conditions a boarding officer can act on
| Condition | Source |
|---|---|
| Not enough life jackets or other lifesaving devices | 46 U.S.C. 4308 |
| Not enough fire-fighting equipment | 46 U.S.C. 4308 |
| Overloaded | 46 U.S.C. 4308 |
| Navigation lights not displayed as required between sunset and sunrise | 33 CFR 177.07(a) |
| Operator apparently under the influence of alcohol or a dangerous drug | 33 CFR 177.07(b) |
| Fuel leaking from the fuel system or engine, or fuel in the bilges | 33 CFR 177.07(c) |
| Tank and engine-space ventilation not meeting the rules | 33 CFR 177.07(d) |
| Backfire flame control not meeting the rules (gasoline engines other than outboards) | 33 CFR 177.07(e); 46 CFR 25.35-1 |
| District Commander order: manifestly unsafe for a specific voyage | 33 CFR 177.04; 177.07(f) |
The officer must also judge that the condition creates an especially hazardous situation. The operator must then follow directions: fix it now, go to a mooring, dock or anchorage, or stop using the boat until it is fixed (33 CFR 177.05). Refusing brings added penalties (33 CFR 177.08).
The rules: 46 U.S.C. 4308 · 33 CFR 177.04 · 33 CFR 177.05 · 33 CFR 177.07 · 33 CFR 177.08 · 46 CFR 25.35-1
Sources (5)
law.cornell.edu · ecfr.gov · navcen.uscg.gov · dnr.maryland.gov · ecfr.gov
Federal penalties for unsafe operation
| Violation | Federal civil penalty | Criminal exposure | Cite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Negligent operation, or interfering with safe operation, of a recreational vessel | Yes; the maximum is adjusted for inflation every year (33 CFR 27.3) | None under this subsection (civil only) | 46 U.S.C. 2302(a); 33 CFR 27.3 |
| Grossly negligent operation that endangers life, limb or property | Not applicable | Class A misdemeanor | 46 U.S.C. 2302(b)(1) |
| Grossly negligent operation resulting in serious bodily injury | Authorized by statute | Class E felony | 46 U.S.C. 2302(b)(2) |
| Operating under the influence of alcohol or a dangerous drug | Yes; the maximum is adjusted for inflation every year (33 CFR 27.3) | Or prosecution as a class A misdemeanor | 46 U.S.C. 2302(c); 33 CFR 27.3 |
| Not helping, or not exchanging information, after a casualty | Not applicable | Fine or imprisonment | 46 U.S.C. 2303(b) |
| Not assisting a person in danger at sea | Not applicable | Fine, imprisonment or both | 46 U.S.C. 2304(b) |
Dollar maximums are left out because the Coast Guard changes them every year; 33 CFR 27.3 has the current table. Criminal fine and prison terms are set by the statutes cited. State penalties are separate.
The rules: 46 U.S.C. 2302 · 46 U.S.C. 2303 · 46 U.S.C. 2304 · 33 CFR 27.3
Sources (6)
law.cornell.edu · law.cornell.edu · law.cornell.edu · ecfr.gov · federalregister.gov · federalregister.gov
Coast Guard boarding vs. Vessel Safety Check
| Question | Coast Guard boarding | Vessel Safety Check |
|---|---|---|
| Who does it | Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officers (state officers board under state law) | Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteer examiner |
| Your choice? | No; can happen at any time, without suspicion | Yes; you request it, and it is free |
| Result | Violations can bring a civil penalty, a criminal case or termination of use | A decal if the boat passes; if not, no citation and no report to law enforcement, just a list of fixes |
| Legal basis | 14 U.S.C. 522; 33 CFR part 177 | Voluntary Auxiliary program |
A Vessel Safety Check is a good way to find problems before a boarding officer does. Ask your local Auxiliary flotilla (cgaux.org).
The rules: 14 U.S.C. 522 · 33 CFR 177.05
Sources (4)
Where the Inland Rules differ from the International Rules (COLREGS)
| Topic | International (COLREGS) | Inland (33 CFR 83) | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maneuvering signals, power-driven vessels in sight | Signal the action as you take it: 1 short = altering to starboard, 2 short = altering to port, 3 short = astern propulsion. No distance limit; no reply needed. | Signal your intention when meeting or crossing within half a mile: 1 short = leave you on my port side, 2 short = on my starboard side, 3 short = astern propulsion. The other vessel answers with the same signal if it agrees. | 34(a) |
| Overtaking signals | Only in a narrow channel when the vessel ahead must act: 2 prolonged + 1 short (her starboard side) or 2 prolonged + 2 short (her port side). Agreement: prolonged, short, prolonged, short. | Power-driven vessels in sight, any waters: 1 short (her starboard side) or 2 short (her port side). The overtaken vessel repeats the signal if she agrees. | 9(e), 34(c) |
| Agreement by radio | Not provided for in Rule 34. | Agreement by radio (e.g. bridge-to-bridge VHF) makes whistle signals optional; if no agreement, whistle signals are exchanged and prevail. | 34(h) |
| Leaving a dock or berth | No signal. | Power-driven vessel sounds 1 prolonged blast. | 34(g) |
| Light signals with the whistle | Optional all-round white light, visible at least 5 miles. | Optional all-round white or yellow light, visible at least 2 miles, synchronized with the whistle. | 34(b) |
| Danger signal from a vessel confined to a channel | May sound it if in doubt about a crossing vessel. | Must sound it if in doubt about a crossing vessel. | 9(d) |
| Head-on meeting | Both alter to starboard. | Same, 'unless otherwise agreed'. On the Great Lakes, Western Rivers and listed waters, a power-driven vessel downbound with a following current has the right-of-way and proposes the passing. | 14 |
| Crossing a river | Normal crossing rule. | On the Great Lakes, Western Rivers and listed waters, a power-driven vessel crossing a river keeps clear of power-driven vessels going up or down it. | 15(b) |
| Vessel constrained by her draft | Recognized; other vessels avoid impeding her. | No such category. | 3(h), 18(d) |
| Fog signal when fishing or working at anchor | 1 prolonged + 2 short instead of the bell (35(d)). | Same signal, included in 35(c). | 35(c), 35(d) |
| Anchored in a special anchorage area | Anchor fog signals still required. | Not required for vessels under 20 m (65.6 ft). | 35(l) |
| Copy of the Rules aboard | No carriage rule in the COLREGS. | Self-propelled vessels 12 m (39.4 ft) and over carry a copy of the Inland Rules. | Inland 1(g) |
Both sets share the same lookout, speed, risk-of-collision, give-way and fog-conduct rules (Rules 2-8, 11-17, 19) and the same danger, bend and fog signals. The demarcation lines in 33 CFR 80 decide which set applies. Inland waters include the US Great Lakes. All of Puget Sound and Alaska's bays and harbors are COLREGS waters (33 CFR 80.1395, 80.1705).
The rules: COLREGS Rule 3 · COLREGS Rule 9 · Inland Rule 9 · COLREGS Rule 14 · Inland Rule 14 · Inland Rule 15 · COLREGS Rule 18 · COLREGS Rule 34 · Inland Rule 34 · COLREGS Rule 35 · Inland Rule 35 · 33 CFR 83.01 · 33 CFR 80.1395 · 33 CFR 80.1705
Sources (4)
navcen.uscg.gov · ecfr.gov · ecfr.gov · laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
Who gives way when vessels are in sight of one another
| Situation | Keeps out of the way | Stands on | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any vessel overtaking another (sail or power) | The overtaking vessel | The vessel being overtaken | 13 |
| Two power-driven vessels meeting head-on | Both: each alters to starboard and passes port to port | Neither | 14 |
| Two power-driven vessels crossing | The one with the other on her starboard side | The one with the other on her port side | 15, 17 |
| Power-driven vessel and sailing vessel (not overtaking, open water) | Power-driven vessel | Sailing vessel | 18(a) |
| Two sailing vessels, wind on different sides | Boat with the wind on her port side | Boat with the wind on her starboard side | 12(a)(i) |
| Two sailing vessels, wind on the same side | Windward boat | Leeward boat | 12(a)(ii) |
| Power or sail and a vessel engaged in fishing | Power or sail vessel | Fishing vessel | 18(a), 18(b) |
| Any vessel and a vessel not under command or restricted in her ability to maneuver | The other vessel (a fishing vessel so far as possible) | Vessel not under command or restricted | 18 |
| Boat under 20 m (65.6 ft), or any sailboat, and a vessel confined to a narrow channel | Must not impede the confined vessel | Confined vessel (still bound by the steering rules) | 9(b), 8(f) |
Rules 11-18 apply only when vessels are in sight of one another; in fog Rule 19 applies and there is no stand-on vessel. The stand-on vessel holds course and speed, may act once the give-way vessel clearly isn't acting, and must act when collision can't be avoided by the give-way vessel alone (Rule 17). A sailboat under engine is power-driven (Rule 3(c)).
The rules: COLREGS Rule 3 · COLREGS Rule 9 · COLREGS Rule 12 · COLREGS Rule 13 · COLREGS Rule 14 · COLREGS Rule 15 · COLREGS Rule 17 · COLREGS Rule 18 · 33 CFR 83.12 · 33 CFR 83.13 · 33 CFR 83.14 · 33 CFR 83.15 · 33 CFR 83.17 · 33 CFR 83.18
Sources (3)
Sound-signal equipment and fog-signal options by boat length
| Length overall | Must carry (Rule 33) | Fog signals (Rule 35) | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 12 m (39.4 ft) | Some other means of making an efficient sound signal; whistle and bell not required | Rule 35 signals optional, but if you don't give them, some other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than 2 minutes | 33(b), 35(j) |
| 12 m (39.4 ft) to under 20 m (65.6 ft) | Whistle meeting Annex III | Rule 35 whistle signals; the anchor and aground bell signals are optional, but if you don't give them, some other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than 2 minutes | 33(a), 35(i) |
| 20 m (65.6 ft) and over | Whistle and bell | All Rule 35 signals, including the bell at anchor and aground | 33(a), 35(g), 35(h) |
| Inland only: under 20 m (65.6 ft) anchored in a Coast Guard special anchorage area | As above for your length | No anchor signal required | Inland 35(l) |
Length means length overall (Rule 3(j)). Feet are from the Coast Guard's conversion table (12 m = 39.4 ft, 20 m = 65.6 ft). Self-propelled boats 12 m and over must also carry a copy of the Inland Rules (Inland Rule 1(g)). Some state rules and handbooks still list a bell from 12 m; check your state.
The rules: COLREGS Rule 3 · COLREGS Rule 33 · Inland Rule 33 · COLREGS Rule 35 · Inland Rule 35 · Inland Rule 1 · 33 CFR 83.33 · 33 CFR 83.35 · 33 CFR 83.01
Sources (5)
ecfr.gov · navcen.uscg.gov · laws-lois.justice.gc.ca · dbw.parks.ca.gov · app.leg.wa.gov
Lights by vessel length (Inland Rules)
| Length overall | Power-driven, underway | Sailing, underway | At anchor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 12 m [39.4 ft] | Masthead light, sidelights (may be one combined lantern) and sternlight; OR an all-round white light plus sidelights | Sidelights and sternlight, or a masthead tricolour; optional red-over-green (never with the tricolour) | One all-round white light (or forward light plus lower stern light); one ball by day |
| 12 m to under 20 m [39.4-65.6 ft] | Masthead light, sidelights (may be one combined lantern on the centreline) and sternlight; second masthead light optional | Sidelights and sternlight, or a masthead tricolour; optional red-over-green (never with the tricolour) | One all-round white light; one ball by day; Inland special anchorage exemption applies |
| 20 m to under 50 m [65.6-164.0 ft] | Masthead light, separate sidelights and sternlight; second masthead light optional | Sidelights and sternlight; optional red-over-green; no tricolour | One all-round white light; one ball by day |
Lights are shown sunset to sunrise and in restricted visibility (Rule 20). A sailboat under engine, even with sails up, uses the power-driven column (Rule 3). On the Great Lakes, power-driven vessels may use an all-round white light in place of the second masthead light and sternlight (Rule 23(e)). Vessels under 7 m have further options not shown.
The rules: Inland Rule 3 · Inland Rule 20 · Inland Rule 21 · Inland Rule 23 · Inland Rule 25 · Inland Rule 30
Sources (5)
ecfr.gov · navcen.uscg.gov · app.leg.wa.gov · boatus.org · ohiodnr.gov
Minimum visibility of lights (Rule 22), nautical miles
| Light | Under 12 m [39.4 ft] | 12 m to under 20 m | 20 m to under 50 m |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masthead light | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Sidelights | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Sternlight | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| All-round light (white, red, green or yellow), e.g. anchor light | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Ranges are minimums for the light's intensity, measured in nautical miles (33 CFR 84.14). The same figures appear in the Inland and International Rules. A masthead tricolour must meet the sidelight and sternlight ranges for the boat's length.
The rules: Inland Rule 22 · COLREGS Rule 22 · 33 CFR 84.14
Sources (4)
Lights and shapes: where Inland and International Rules differ
| Item | Inland Rules (33 CFR 83) | International Rules (COLREGS) |
|---|---|---|
| Motor-sailing cone | Required, but vessels under 12 m [39.4 ft] are exempt | Required for every vessel motor-sailing |
| Special anchorage areas | Vessels under 20 m [65.6 ft] need no anchor lights, ball or anchor bell | No exemption |
| Power-driven under 12 m | All-round white plus sidelights allowed instead of masthead and sternlight | Same, plus: under 7 m [23.0 ft] and max 7 knots may show only an all-round white (sidelights if practicable); all-round white may be off the centreline with a centreline combined sidelight lantern |
| Lowering lights to pass under a bridge | Allowed (Rule 20(f)) | No such clause |
| Great Lakes | All-round white may replace the second masthead light and sternlight | Not applicable |
| Vessel on a mooring buoy | Counts as a vessel at anchor (33 CFR 90.5) | US interpretive rule covers barges only (33 CFR 82.5) |
Inland Rules apply on US inland waters, shoreward of the navigational demarcation lines, and on the US side of the Great Lakes (Inland Rule 3(q)). International Rules apply seaward of those lines. Owners who cruise coastally should know both.
The rules: Inland Rule 3 · Inland Rule 20 · Inland Rule 23 · Inland Rule 25 · Inland Rule 30 · Inland Rule 35 · COLREGS Rule 23 · COLREGS Rule 25 · COLREGS Rule 30 · 33 CFR 90.5 · 33 CFR 82.5 · 33 CFR 110.1
Sources (9)
ecfr.gov · ecfr.gov · ecfr.gov · ecfr.gov · ecfr.gov · ecfr.gov · navcen.uscg.gov · app.leg.wa.gov · boatus.org
Drawbridge signals (33 CFR 117.15, 117.21)
| Message | Sound | Visual | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat requests an opening | One prolonged blast, then one short blast | White flag, or white, amber or green light, raised and lowered vertically | Short blast within 3 seconds of the prolonged blast; repeat until acknowledged |
| Bridge: will open now | One prolonged blast, then one short blast | White flag or white/amber/green light raised and lowered; or fixed or flashing white/amber/green light(s) | Within 30 seconds of the boat's signal |
| Bridge: can't open now, or open and closing | Five short blasts in rapid succession | Red flag or red light swung horizontally; or fixed or flashing red light(s) | Within 30 seconds; repeated until the boat acknowledges |
| Boat that must be passed during a scheduled closure | Five short blasts in rapid succession | - | - |
| Draw already open as boat approaches | Give the normal opening signal | - | No reply within 30 seconds: proceed with caution |
A prolonged blast lasts 4 to 6 seconds and a short blast about 1 second (33 CFR 117.15(b)(2)). A radiotelephone may carry the same messages, and both parties monitor the frequency until the boat is clear (117.15(d)). Part 117 sets no single VHF channel; check the bridge sign or its subpart B entry.
The rules: 33 CFR 117.15 · 33 CFR 117.21 · 33 CFR 117.24
Sources (5)
ecfr.gov · baycitymi.gov · discoverboating.com · nauticalcharts.noaa.gov · navcen.uscg.gov
Federal pollution rules that depend on boat length
| Requirement | Which boats | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| "Discharge of Oil Prohibited" placard, at least 5 x 8 in, in the machinery space or at the bilge pump control station | 26 ft and longer | 33 CFR 155.450 |
| Garbage (MARPOL) placard, at least 20 cm (8 in) wide x 12.5 cm (5 in) high, where crew and passengers can read it | US boats 26 ft and longer | 33 CFR 151.51(e); 33 CFR 151.59 |
| Written garbage management plan | Manned oceangoing boats 40 ft and longer, documented or state-numbered, in commerce or with a galley and berthing | 33 CFR 151.51(d); 33 CFR 151.57 |
| Garbage record book | Oceangoing ships of 400 gross tons and up, or certified for 15 or more people on international voyages (not typical recreational boats) | 33 CFR 151.51(c); 33 CFR 151.55 |
| Type I MSD allowed | Boats with an installed toilet, 19.7 m (65 ft) or less | 33 CFR 159.7(a)(2) |
| Type II or Type III MSD allowed | Boats with an installed toilet, any length | 33 CFR 159.7(a)(1) |
Lengths are as each rule states them. For the MSD rule, length is measured overall, excluding bowsprits, bumpkins, rudders and outboard brackets (33 CFR 159.3). Boats under 26 ft need neither placard, but every discharge ban still applies to them.
The rules: 33 CFR 155.450 · 33 CFR 151.51 · 33 CFR 151.55 · 33 CFR 151.57 · 33 CFR 151.59 · 33 CFR 159.3 · 33 CFR 159.7
Sources (7)
ecfr.gov · ecfr.gov · ecfr.gov · fishsafewest.info · wlf.louisiana.gov · wisconsincleanmarina.org · epa.gov
Garbage: where each kind may be discharged (US rules, current since 2013)
| Garbage | US rivers, lakes, bays and sounds | Great Lakes | At sea, outside special areas | Wider Caribbean special area (incl. Gulf of America) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plastics of any kind, incl. synthetic rope, nets, plastic bags, garbage mixed with plastic | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Food waste, ground to pass a 25 mm (1 in) screen | Prohibited | Prohibited | At least 3 nm from nearest land, under way | At least 12 nm from nearest land, under way, not mixed with other garbage |
| Food waste, not ground | Prohibited | Prohibited | At least 12 nm from nearest land, under way | Prohibited |
| Paper, rags, glass, metal, bottles, crockery, packing material, cooking oil | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Deck and hull wash water with cleaning agents | Only if not harmful to the marine environment | Only if not harmful | Only if not harmful | Only if not harmful |
Read in 33 CFR 151.66-151.75, eCFR text current to 2026-09-01 (garbage rules as rewritten in 2013 to match MARPOL Annex V amendments). Mixed garbage follows the strictest rule or stays aboard. Emergency and health-risk exceptions are in 33 CFR 151.77. State and local rules may be stricter.
The rules: 33 CFR 151.53 · 33 CFR 151.66 · 33 CFR 151.67 · 33 CFR 151.69 · 33 CFR 151.71 · 33 CFR 151.75 · 33 CFR 151.77
Sources (4)
ecfr.gov · wwwcdn.imo.org · federalregister.gov · wisconsincleanmarina.org
Sewage: what the federal rules allow, by type of water
| Where you are | Untreated sewage | Treated effluent (certified Type I or II) | What to do with the toilet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside the 3-mile territorial sea and on navigable inland waters, not an NDZ | Prohibited | Allowed | Secure every overboard valve on a Type III system (closed with handle removed, padlocked or non-releasable wire-tie) |
| No-Discharge Zone | Prohibited | Prohibited | Secure Type I/II: seacock closed with handle removed, padlocked, wire-tied, or head door locked; use a pump-out |
| Landlocked freshwater lakes and reservoirs, rivers not navigable by interstate traffic | Prohibited | Prohibited | Same as an NDZ |
| Beyond the 3-mile line | Not restricted by federal MSD rules for recreational boats | Not restricted by federal MSD rules | Holding tank may be emptied at sea (check state and foreign rules) |
33 CFR 159.3 defines the territorial seas as extending 3 miles; EPA uses the same wording. Coast Guard and boating guides call it 3 nautical miles. NDZs are listed by state on EPA's "No-Discharge Zones by State" page. States may add their own bans.
The rules: 33 CFR 159.1 · 33 CFR 159.3 · 33 CFR 159.7 · 40 CFR 140.3 · 40 CFR 140.4
VHF channels every boater should know
| Channel | Frequency (MHz) | Use | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 156.800 | Distress, safety and calling. Listening watch while underway (or 9 for recreational boats). | 47 CFR 80.310, 80.373 |
| 9 | 156.450 | Calling channel for noncommercial boats; voice radio checks with other boaters. | 47 CFR 80.310, 80.373 |
| 13 | 156.650 | Bridge-to-bridge navigation safety; watch required on vessels covered by the Act (power-driven 20 m / 65.6 ft and up). | 33 CFR 26.04; 47 CFR 80.373 |
| 22A | 157.100 | Coast Guard liaison and safety broadcasts (announced first on 16). | 47 CFR 80.373; 33 CFR 26.03(d) |
| 70 | 156.525 | Digital selective calling only; no voice. | 47 CFR 80.373 |
| 67 | 156.375 | Bridge-to-bridge channel on parts of the lower Mississippi. | 33 CFR 26.04(d) |
Frequencies read in 47 CFR 80.373 and 33 CFR 26.03-26.04 and checked against the Coast Guard NavCen U.S. VHF channel table.
The rules: 47 CFR 80.310 · 47 CFR 80.373 · 33 CFR 26.03 · 33 CFR 26.04
Sources (5)
ecfr.gov · ecfr.gov · ecfr.gov · navcen.uscg.gov · navcen.uscg.gov
Paying passengers and charters: which category is your boat in? (vessels under 100 gross tons)
| Situation | Category | What it takes |
|---|---|---|
| Guests only share actual trip expenses, voluntarily | Recreational use | Normal recreational rules |
| 1 to 6 passengers, at least one for hire | Uninspected passenger vessel | OUPV (six-pack) or higher operator; drug testing |
| More than 6 passengers, at least one for hire | Small passenger vessel | Coast Guard inspection |
| Charter, crew provided or specified by the owner, up to 6 passengers | Uninspected passenger vessel | OUPV or higher operator; drug testing |
| Charter, crew provided or specified by the owner, more than 6 passengers | Small passenger vessel | Coast Guard inspection |
| Charter with no crew provided or specified by the owner, up to 12 passengers | Not a small passenger vessel | A valid bareboat charter; charterer supplies and controls the crew |
| Charter with no crew provided or specified by the owner, more than 12 passengers | Small passenger vessel | Coast Guard inspection |
From the definitions of passenger, passenger for hire, consideration, small passenger vessel and uninspected passenger vessel in 46 U.S.C. 2101 (repeated in 46 CFR 24.10-1 and 175.400). The owner, master, charterer and paid non-paying crew are not passengers. Federal rules only; states may add their own.
The rules: 46 U.S.C. 2101 · 46 U.S.C. 8903 · 46 CFR 24.10-1 · 46 CFR 15.605 · 46 CFR 16.230
Sources (8)
law.cornell.edu · ecfr.gov · ecfr.gov · law.cornell.edu · ecfr.gov · ecfr.gov · wow.uscgaux.info · federalregister.gov
Do you need an FCC licence or operator permit?
| Your situation | Ship station licence | Operator permit |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational boat, U.S. waters only, VHF / AIS / EPIRB / radar | Not needed (licensed by rule) | Not needed |
| Visiting a foreign port or talking to foreign stations | Needed | Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit |
| MF/HF single-sideband radio aboard | Needed | Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (higher class for high-power sets) |
| Satellite ship earth station aboard | Needed | Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit |
| Power-driven vessel 20 m (65.6 ft) or longer (Bridge-to-Bridge Act) | Needed (compulsory ship) | Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit or higher, held by someone aboard |
From 47 CFR 80.13(c), 80.163, 80.165 and 80.177, checked against the FCC ship radio licensing and operations pages and NavCen. A licence lasts ten years (47 CFR 80.25); the operator permit normally lasts for life (47 CFR 13.15).
The rules: 47 CFR 80.13 · 47 CFR 80.25 · 47 CFR 80.163 · 47 CFR 80.165 · 47 CFR 80.177 · 47 CFR 13.15 · 33 CFR 26.03
Security rules at a glance
| Item | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Naval vessel protection zone | 500 yards around U.S. naval vessels over 100 ft; minimum safe speed inside | 33 CFR 165.2015, 165.2025 |
| Closest approach to a naval vessel | 100 yards, unless the Coast Guard, senior naval officer or patrol permits | 33 CFR 165.2025(d) |
| Asking permission to pass closer | VHF-FM channel 16 | 33 CFR 165.2025(e) |
| Safety or security zone | No entry without Captain of the Port (or District Commander) permission | 33 CFR 165.23, 165.33 |
| Report suspicious activity | National Response Center, 1-877-24WATCH (1-877-249-2824) | Coast Guard America's Waterway Watch |
| Immediate danger | 911 or the Coast Guard on VHF channel 16 | Coast Guard Auxiliary |
Local zones (fireworks, cruise ships, bases, bridges) are listed by area in 33 CFR part 165 subpart F and announced in Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners.
The rules: 33 CFR 165.2015 · 33 CFR 165.2025 · 33 CFR 165.23 · 33 CFR 165.33
Sources (7)
ecfr.gov · boatus.org · ecfr.gov · ecfr.gov · cgaux.org · boat-ed.com · dco.uscg.mil
A plain-language summary of federal rules for recreational boats, checked against the rules’ own text and a second source, and written in our own words. It isn’t legal advice. States add rules of their own, and rules change — the links above go to the current official text.