94 STAT. 3416
PUBLIC LAW 96-591—DEC. 24, 1980
compliance for a vessel or class of vessels specifying the closest possible compliance with these Rules. The Secretary of the Navy shall make these determinations and issue certificates of alternative compliance for vessels of the Navy. (f) The Secretary may accept a certificate of alternative compliance issued by a contracting party to the International Regulations if he determines that the alternative compliance standards of the contracting party are substantially the same as those of the United States. RULE 2
Responsibility 33 USC 2002.
(^) Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master, or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to comply with these Rules or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case. (b) In construing and complying with these Rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved, which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger. RULE 3
General Definitions 33 USC 2003.
PQJ. tjig purpose of these Rules and this Act, except where the context otherwise requires: (a) The word "vessel" includes every description of water craft, including nondisplacement craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water; (b) The term "power-driven vessel" means any vessel propelled by machinery; (c) The term "sailing vessel" means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used; (d) The term "vessel engaged in fishing" means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls, or other fishing apparatus which restricts maneuverability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict maneuverability; (e) The word "seaplane" includes any aircraft designed to maneuver on the water; (f) The term "vessel not under command" means a vessel which through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel; (g) The term "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver" means a vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability to maneuver as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel; vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver include, but are not limited to: (i) a vessel engaged in laying, servicing, or picking up a navigation mark, submarine cable, or pipeline; (ii) a vessel engaged in dredging, surveying, or underwater operations;
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