ALCOAST 246/17 - AUG 2017 AVAILABILITY OF THE NAVIGATION RULES (INTERNATIONAL-INLAND) IN AN AMALGAMATED FORMAT

R 210925 AUG 17
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-5PW//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N16672//
ALCOAST 246/17
COMDTNOTE 16672
SUBJ:  AVAILABILITY OF THE NAVIGATION RULES (INTERNATIONAL-INLAND) IN
AN AMALGAMATED FORMAT
A. Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing
Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGS)
B. Inland Navigation Rules and Annexes; Title 33 Code of Federal
Regulations, Subchapter E
C. Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Regulations; Title 33 Code
of Federal Regulations Part 26
D. Navigation Rules Penalty Provisions; Title 33 United States Codes
§1608 and §2072
E. Navigation Rules & Regulations Handbook, August 2014 Edition
1. To improve the readability and understanding of the Navigation
Rules (AKA the Rules of the Road; REFs (A) and (B)), the USCG Office of
Navigation Systems (CG-NAV) and the USCG Navigation Center (NAVCEN)
teamed to create an amalgamated version of the Rules of the Road and
associated regulations (REFs (A) through (D)). This edition, rather than
showing the rules in the familiar side-by-side, two-page format as
in REF (E), instead shows the rules in a one-page format. Rules
differences are shown in either a two-column table or by bracketed text. 
Also, italic text is used to differentiate the Inland Rules from the
COLREGS.  This new edition is available online in either HTML or PDF
at https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=NavRulesWithAnnexes. To print
this edition, select the "Printer-friendly" option in the upper right
hand corner.
2. Section 83.01(g) of REF (B) requires the operator of each
self-propelled vessel 12 meters or more in length to carry on board,
and maintain for ready reference, a copy of the Inland Rules and its
Annexes, such as this Amalgamated Edition. Note that the provision
does not require that the Rules be “Official,” USCG-produced, or
printed by the Government Publishing Office. Any full text rendition
of the Inland Rules and Annexes as published in the Code of Federal
Regulations suffices.
3. For further information on the Rules, including USCG policy on
electronic carriage, see the “Nav Rules - Frequently Asked Questions”
on the NAVCEN website.
4. Point of contact: LCDR M. J. Walter, COMDT (CG-NAV), 202-372-1565
or CGNAV@uscg.mil.
5. Michael D. Emerson, Director of Marine Transportation Systems
Management, sends. 
6. Internet release authorized.