(5) As previously noted, buoy positions are not always reliable. Therefore their sound signals cannot be assumed to be emanating from a fixed position.

§ 62.49 Intracoastal Waterway identification.

(a) In addition to the conventional signals, aids to navigation marking the Intracoastal Waterway exhibit unique yellow symbols to distinguish them from aids marking other waters.

(1) Yellow triangles indicate that aids to navigation so marked should be passed keeping them on the starboard (right) hand of a vessel, regardless of the aid's number, color, or light color.

(2) Yellow squares indicate that aids to navigation so marked should be passed keeping them on the port (left) hand of a vessel, regardless of the aid's number, color, or light color.

(3) A horizontal yellow band provides no lateral information, but simply identifies aids to navigation as marking the Intracoastal Waterway.

(b) The above guidelines apply for vessels traversing the Intracoastal Waterway in a southerly direction on the Atlantic Coast, in a westerly direction on the Okeechobee Waterway, or in a westerly direction along the Gulf Coast.

[CGD 86-031, 52 FR 42640, Nov. 6, 1987; CGD 86031, 52 FR 46351, Dec. 5, 1987]

§62.51 Western Rivers Marking System.

(a) A variation of the standard U.S. aids to navigation system described above is employed on the Missisippi River and tributaries above Baton Rouge, LA and on certain other rivers which flow toward the Gulf of Mexico.

(b) The Western Rivers System varies from the standard U.S. system as follows:

(1) Buoys are not numbered.

(2) Numbers on beacons do not have odd/even lateral significance but, rather, indicate mileage from a fixed point (normally the river mouth). (3)

Diamond-shaped non-lateral dayboards, checkered red-and-white or green-and-white, similar to those used in the USATONS, as appropriate, are used as crossing dayboards where the river channel crosses from one bank to the other.

(4) Lights on green buoys and on beacons with green daymarks show a single flash which may be green or white.

(5) Lights on red buoys and on beacons with red daymarks show a double flash [Group Flashing (2)] which may be red or white.

(6) Isolated danger marks are not used.

[CGD 86-031, 52 FR 42640, Nov. 6, 1987, as amended by CGD-94-091, 61 FR 27782, June 3, 1996]

§ 62.53 Racons.

(a) Aids to navigation may be enhanced by the use of radar beacons (racons). Racons, when triggered by a radar signal, will transmit a coded reply to the interrogating radar. This reply serves to identify the aid station by exhibiting a series of dots and dashes which appear on the radar display in a line emanating radially from just beyond the echo of the aid station. Although racons may be used on both laterally significant and non-laterally significant aids alike, the racon signal itself is for identification purposes only, and therefore carries no lateral significance.

(b) Racons are also used as bridge marks to mark the best point of passage.

Subpart C-Maritime Radiobeacons

§ 62.55 General.

Maritime radiobeacons operate during specific intervals as published in Coast Guard Light Lists. For station identification, simple characteristics consisting of combinations of dots and dashes are used. The characteristics of marker-beacons are composed of series of dashes for part of a 15 second cycle, which is followed by a silent period to complete the cycle. The transmitted power of maritime radiobeacons is adjusted to provide a useable signal at the service range which meets the operational requirement. Marker-beacons are of low power for local use only. Coast Guard maritime radiobeacons operate within the frequency band 275-335 kilohertz.

§ 62.57 Carrier type operation.

Radiobeacons superimpose the characteristic code on a carrier frequency which is on continuously during the period of transmission.This extends the usefulness of maritime radiobeacons to aircraft and ships employing automatic direction finders.

§ 62.59 Calibration service.

Special calibration radiobeacons, as listed in the current editions of the Coast Guard Light Lists, will broadcast continuously for the purpose of enabling vessels to calibrate their direction finders upon request either to the cognizant District Commander, or, if time does not permit, directly to the calibration station. Signals for requesting calibration service are described in the current editions of the Coast Guard Light Lists. In the case of sequenced radiobeacon stations, continuous transmission for calibration purposes cannot be made without interference resulting with other stations in the same frequency group.

(a) A vessel steering a course for a radiobeacon should observe the same precautions that apply when steering for a light or any other mark.

(b) Distance cannot be accurately determined by radiobeacon signal. Mariners must exercise extreme caution when the aid to navigation which supports the radiobeacon is not visible, and no other means of determining its distance is available.

(c) If the radiobeacon is aboard a Large Navigational Buoy (LNB) or on any marine site, particular care should be exercised to avoid the possibility of collision. In addition, caution should be exercised in using radiobeacons aboard floating aids, because of the possibility that the aid could be off station.

Subpart D-Public Participation in the Aids to Navigation System

§ 62.63 Recommendations.

(a) The public may recommend changes to existing aids to navigation, request new aids or the discontinuation of existing aids, and report aids no

longer necessary for maritime safety. These recommendations should be sent to the appropriate District Commander.

(b) Recommendations, requests and reports should be documented with as much information as possible to justify the proposed action. Desirable information includes:

(1) Nature of the vessels which transit the area(s) in the question, including type, displacement, draft, and number of passengers and crew.

(2) Where practicable, the kinds of navigating devices used aboard such vessels (e.g, magnetic or gyro compasses, radio direction finders, radar, loran, and searchlights).

(3) A chartlet or sketch describing the actual or proposed location of the aid(s), and a description of the action requested or recommended.

§ 62.65 Procedure for reporting defects and discrepancies.

(a) Mariners should notify the nearest Coast Guard facility immediately of any observed aids to navigation defects or discrepancies.

(b) The Coast Guard cannot monitor the many thousands of aids in the U.S. Aids to Navigation System simultaneously and continuously. As a result, it is not possible to maintain every aid operating properly and on its charted position at all times. Marine safety will be enhanced if persons finding aids missing, sunk, capsized, damaged, off station, or showing characteristics other than those advertised in the Light List, or other publication, promptly inform the Coast Guard. When making the report to the Coast Guard the mariner should consult the Light List to ensure the correct geographical information is used due to the similarity of names and geographical areas.

(c) Procedures for reporting defects and discrepancies:

(1) Radio messages should be prefixed "Coast Guard" and transmitted directly to a Government shore radio station listed in Chapter five, Section 500D of Radio Navigational Aids Publication, 117A and 117B, for relay to the relevant District Commander.

(1) Structures located in or over waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and, on the high seas, structures owned or operated by persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States;

(2) Sunken vessels in the navigable waters or waters above the continental shelf of the United States; and

(3) Other obstructions existing on or in the navigable waters or waters above the continental shelf of the United States.

(b) The following obstructions are exempt from the requirements of this part:

(1) Dredging pipelines subject to Subchapter D of this chapter;

(2) Bridges subject to Subchapter J of this chapter;

(3) Vessels subject to the International Regulations for preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (1972 COLREGS) or the Inland Navigation Rules;

(4) Deepwater port facilities subject to subchapter NN of this chapter; and (5) Artificial islands and structures subject to Part 67 of this subchapter. § 64.06 Definition of terms. As used in this part:

Hazard to navigation means an obstruction, usually sunken, that presents sufficient danger to navigation so as to require expeditious, affirmative action such as marking, removal, or redefinition of a designated waterway to provide for navigational safety.

Markings means the lights and other signals placed on or near structures, sunken vessels, and other obstructions for the protection of navigation.

Obstruction means anything that restricts, endangers, or interferes with navigation.

Structures means any fixed or floating obstruction, intentionally placed in the water, which may interfere with or restrict marine navigation.

[CGD 78-156, 48 FR 11267, Mar. 17, 1983. Redesignated and amended by CGD 91-031, 57 FR 43402, Sept. 21, 1992]

Subpart B-Sunken Vessels and Other Obstructions

SOURCE: CGD 78-156, 48 FR 11267, Mar. 17, 1983. Redesignated by CGD 91-031, 57 FR 43402, Sept. 21, 1992.

§ 64.11 Marking and notification requirements.

(a) The owner of a vessel, raft, or other craft wrecked and sunk in a navigable channel shall mark it immediately with a buoy or daymark during the day and with a light at night. The owner of a sunken vessel, raft, or other obstruction that otherwise constitutes a hazard to navigation shall mark it in accordance with this subchapter.

(b) Owners of vessels sunk in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States or sunk on the high seas, if the owner is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, shall promptly report to the District Commander, in whose jurisdiction the obstruction is located, the action they are taking to mark the sunken vessel, giving the following information (in addition to the report required by 46 CFR 4.05-1, Notice of Marine Casualty):

(1) Name and description of the sunken vessel;

(2) Accurate description of the location of the vessel;

(3) Depth of water over the vessel; and

(4) Location and type of marking established, including color and shape of buoy or other daymark and characteristic of the light.

(c) Owners of other obstructions may report the existence of such obstructions and mark them in the same manner as prescribed for sunken vessels.

(d) Owners of marine pipelines that are determined to be hazards to navigation shall report and mark the hazardous portion of those pipelines in accordance with 49 CFR parts 192 or 195, as applicable.

NOTE: Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) lessees are subject to additional notification requirements provided in OCS Order No.1, paragraph 4 (44 FR 76216, December 21, 1979), issued by U.S. Geological Survey.

[CGD 78-156, 48 FR 11267, Mar. 17, 1983. Redesignated and amended by CGD 91-031, 57 FR 43402, Sept. 21, 1992]

§ 64.13 Approval of markings.

(a) All markings of sunken vessels and other obstructions established in accordance with §64.10-1 must be reported to and approved by the appropriate District Commander.

(b) Should the District Commander determine that these markings are inconsistent with Part 62 of this subchapter, they must be replaced as soon as practicable with approved markings.

§ 64.16 Duration of marking on sunken vessels in navigable waters.

Markings shall be maintained until: (a) The sunken vessel or other obstruction is removed; or

(b) The right of the owner to abandon is legally established and exercised.

NOTE: Notices of abandonment of sunken vessels or other obstructions will not be accepted by the Coast Guard. Any notice of intention to abandon should be addressed to the District Engineer, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, within whose district the sunken vessel or other obstruction is located.

Subpart C-Structures

SOURCE: CGD 78-156, 48 FR 11267, Mar. 17, 1983. Redesignated by CGD 91-031, 57 FR 43402, Sept. 21, 1992.

§ 64.21 Marking and notification requirements.

Before establishing a structure, the owner or operator shall apply for Coast Guard authorization to mark the structure in accordance with § 66.01-5 of this chapter. The appropriate District Commander will determine the marking requirements.

§ 64.23 Duration of marking on structures.

Markings determined to be required shall be established and maintained until:

(a) The structure is removed; or (b) Otherwise directed by the District Commander.

Subpart D-Miscellaneous
Provisions

SOURCE: CGD 78-156, 48 FR 11267, Mar. 17, 1983. Redesignated by CGD 91-031, 57 FR 43402, Sept. 21, 1992.

§ 64.31 Determination of hazard to

navigation.

In determining whether an obstruction is a hazard to navigation for the purposes of marking, the District Commander considers, but is not limited to, the following factors:

(a) Location of the obstruction in relation to the navigable channel and other navigational traffic patterns;

(b) Navigational difficulty in the vicinity of the obstruction;

(c) Depth of water over the obstruction, fluctuation of the water level, and other hydrologic characteristics in the area;

(d) Draft, type, and density of vessel traffic or other marine activity in the vicinity of the obstruction;

(e) Physical characteristics of the obstruction;

(f) Possible movement of the obstruction;

(g) Location of the obstruction in relation to other obstructions or aids to navigation;

(h) Prevailing and historical weather conditions;

(i) Length of time that the obstruction has been in existence;

(j) History of vessel incidents involving the obstruction; and

(k) Whether the obstruction is defined as a hazard to navigation under other statutes or regulations.

[CGD 91-031, 57 FR 43403, Sept. 21, 1992]

§ 64.33 Marking by the Coast Guard.

(a) The District Commander may mark for the protection of maritime navigation any structure, sunken vessel or other obstruction that is not suitably marked by the owner. Markings established by the Coast Guard do not relieve the owner's duty or responsibility to mark the sunken vessel or other obstruction, or to remove it as required by law.

(b) Costs for markings established by the Coast Guard will be determined in accordance with part 74 of this Chap

ter.

(c) Costs for marking of a sunken vessel or other obstruction shall be charged to the owner and shall continue until:

(1) The vessel or other obstruction is removed;

(2) The right of the owner to abandon is legally established and has been exercised; or

(3) The District Commander directs otherwise.

NOTE: When the needs of navigation permit, the owner may be given reasonable op