U.S. Code of Federal Regulations
Regulations most recently checked for updates: Dec 05, 2024
§ 207.9 - Mystic River, Mass.; dam of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Metropolitan District Commission.
(a) Definition and authority of superintendent. The term superintendent as used in the regulations in this section shall mean himself and/or his personnel then on duty at the dam. The positioning and movements of all watercraft of every description while in the locks or within 100 yards of the locks or dam shall be subject to the direction of the superintendent whose orders must be obeyed. This order does not relieve the master of the responsibility for the safety of his vessel.
(b) Description of locks. There are three (3) locks to be used for the passage of vessels; one large lock 325 feet long, 45 feet wide, shall be used for vessels with draft up to seventeen (17) feet; two small locks each 120 feet long and 22 feet wide shall be used for boats up to six (6) feet draft.
(c) Maximum draft. Vessels drawing within six (6) inches of depth over the sills shall not be permitted lockage except under special permission of the superintendent. Every vessel using the locks and drawing more than ten (10) feet shall be accurately and distinctly marked at bow and stern showing the exact draft of water at such portions of the vessel. Gages set into the walls or the locks, both upstream and downstream of each gate, indicate the depth in feet of water over the sill of the gate.
(d) Vessels denied lockage. The superintendent may deny passage through the locks to any craft with sharp, rough projecting corners, overhanging equipment or cargo, or any craft or two that is in sinking condition or in any way unseaworthy or insufficiently manned and equipped, or any craft failing to comply with the regulations in this section or with any orders given in pursuance thereof.
(e) Protection of lock gates. (1) In no case shall boats be permitted to enter or leave any of the locks until directed to do so by the superintendent. Boats shall not be permitted to enter or start to leave until the lock gates are at rest within the gate recesses. All persons, whether in charge of vessels or not, are prohibited from willfully or carelessly damaging the locks or any of the appurtenances or the grounds adjacent thereto, and from throwing or allowing any material of any kind to fall from the barge, scow or other vessel into the locks.
(2) No person shall permit or suffer any vessel, scow, raft, or float to come in contract with any gate or any of the locks of the Amelia Earhart Dam.
(f) Damage to walls. The sides of all craft passing through the locks must be free from projection of any kind which might injure the lock walls. All craft must be provided with suitable fenders. One or more men as the superintendent may direct shall be kept at the head of every tow until it has cleared the lock and guide walls, and shall protect the walls by use of the fenders.
(g) Unnecessary delay at locks. No person shall cause or permit any craft of which he is in charge to remain in the locks or their approaches for a longer period of time than is necessary for the passage of the locks unless he is especially permitted to do so by the superintendent, and if such craft is, in the opinion of such superintendent, in a position to obstruct navigation, it shall be removed at once as requested or directed by the superintendent.
(h) Procedure at locks. The locks shall be operated promptly for the passage of all craft upon signal, excepting only in such cases as are specifically provided for in the regulations in this section. All registered merchant vessels shall pass through the locks in the order directed by the superintendent. Other craft shall be allowed to pass through the locks at the discretion of the superintendent.
(i) Navigation of the locks. (1) All barges navigating the locks whether approaching or leaving the locks are required to be assisted by one or more tugs of sufficient power to insure full control at all times. All craft approaching the locks while any other vessel going in the opposite direction is in or about to enter shall be stopped where they will not obstruct the free passage of such other vessel.
(2) All vessels over 100 gross tons including those which are accompanied by towboats must attach not less than two good and sufficient lines, cables, or hawsers to the bollards or other fixtures provided for the purpose to check the speed of the vessel and to stop it as soon as it has gone far enough to permit the lock gate behind it to be closed. Each line, cable, or hawser shall be attended on board while passing into the lock by one or more of the vessel's crew. Where vessels are so long that in order to get them wholly within the locks it is necessary to go within 100 feet of the lock gate ahead, the speed of the vessel must be slow and the vessel must be fully under control at all times by the lines, cables or hawsers. All towboats and vessels less than 100 gross tons may enter the locks without having lines out subject to the discretion of the superintendent. The master or person in charge of a vessel shall arrange to have any line, cable, or hawser handed or thrown from the lock walls by the superintendent, or his assistants, made fast on the vessel as requested or directed, so that in cases of emergency such line, cable, or hawser may also be used to check the speed of and stop the vessel.
(3) Operators of vessels less than 200 gross tons may use the floating moorings in the large lock to fasten lines or hawsers, but they shall not be used to check the way on any vessel greater than 30 gross tons.
(4) Vessels less than 30 gross tons may fasten lines to the floating moorings in the large or small locks. All persons shall keep off the floating moorings at all times.
(5) No line shall be attached to anything on or a part of the dam except the fixtures provided for this purpose.
(6) Equipment of each craft shall include a sufficient bow line and stern line.
(j) Mooring. When a craft is in position in the lock, it shall be securely fastened in a manner satisfactory to the superintendent to prevent the craft moving about while the lock is being filled or emptied, and the lines, cables, or hawsers used for this purpose shall be attended as far as is necessary or required while the filling or emptying is in progress.
(k) [Reserved]
(l) Signals. (1) All craft desiring lockage shall, on approaching the locks, signal by two long and two short blasts of a whistle or other sound device. Two long blasts from the lock in reply will indicate a delayed opening and direct the craft not to enter the lock.
(2) Lights are located at each end of each lock and will normally show red. No vessel shall come within 100 feet of the outside of any gate when the signal is red except when so directed by the superintendent.
(3) Fireboats and craft owned by the U.S. Government shall be given prompt and preferential lockage when they sound four long blasts.
(4) No vessel shall move into or out of any lock until the controlling signal is green. A green light in addition to audio loud speakers, operated by the superintendent or his assistants, will direct craft through the locks.
(5) It shall be the duty of every master or person in charge of any vessel to ascertain by personal observation that the lock gate is fully open before proceeding.
(m) Operating machinery. Lock employees only shall be permitted to operate the lock gates, signals or other appliances. No person shall deface or injure any part of the Amelia Earhart Dam, or any pier, wall or other structure or any mechanism connected therewith; nor shall any person, without the consent of the superintendent, make fast to the dam, guard, guide wall, pier, or any appurtenance thereof any vessel, scow, raft, or float.
(n) Vessel to carry regulations. A copy of the regulations in this section shall be kept at all times on board each vessel regularly engaged in navigating the locks. Copies may be obtained without charge from the superintendent; the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, M.D.C. Parks Division, Boston, Mass.; New England Division, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer, Waltham, Mass.
§ 207.10 - Charles River, Mass.; dam of Charles River Basin Commission.
(a) The movements of all vessels or boats in and near the lock shall be under the direction of the superintendent in charge of these structures and his assistants, whose orders and signals shall be obeyed.
(b) Every vessel using the lock and drawing more than 10 feet shall be accurately and distinctly marked at the bow and stern, showing the exact draft of water at such portions of the vessel.
(c) All steam vessels desiring to pass through the lock shall signal for the same by two long and two short blasts of the whistle.
(d)(1) All vessels passing through the lock shall have their outboard spars, if any, rigged in, and booms amidships, and secured. All standing and running rigging must be triced in to keep it from blowing out and fouling the drawbridge. Every vessel of 200 tons and under shall be provided with at least two, and every vessel of more than 200 tons shall be provided with at least four good and sufficient lines, cables, or hawsers. Anchors shall either be stowed or shall hang from hawse pipes, hauled up close, clear of the water if possible. Vessels with anchors under foot or hanging from catheads will not be permitted to enter the lock.
(2) All vessels must be sufficiently manned and must have a sufficient number of round and fore-and-aft fenders to protect the lock from injury. All heavy rope fenders must be securely lashed to prevent their falling into the lock and interfering with the gates.
(e) All vessels approaching the lock while any other vessel going in the opposite direction is in or about to enter it shall be stopped where they will not obstruct the free passage of such other vessel.
(f) It shall be the duty of every master or person in charge of any vessel upon approaching the lock from the upstream end to ascertain by personal observation whether or not the upper lock gate is open, and a vessel shall not be permitted to come within 100 feet of the upper lock gate until the gate has been wholly withdrawn into its recess.
(g) All towboats, whether towing or not, and other steam vessels of less than 100 tons gross may enter the lock under their own power and without having lines out, but all other vessels, including those which are accompanied by towboats, must attach not less than two good and sufficient lines, cables, or hawsers to the bollards or other fixtures provided for the purpose to check the speed of the vessel and to stop it as soon as it has gone far enough to permit the lock gate behind it to be closed, and each line, cable, or hawser shall be attended on board while passing into the lock by one or more of the vessel's crew. Where vessels are so long that in order to get them wholly within the lock it is necessary to approach within 150 feet of the lock gate ahead, the speed of the vessel must be slow and fully under control by the lines, cables, or hawsers. Steam vessels of more than 100 tons gross, not including towboats, will not be permitted to turn their propellers on entering the lock after the bow of the vessel has entered, but will be drawn in by means of capstans on the lock walls or otherwise, and their speed must be checked and the vessel stopped by lines, cables, or hawsers as in other cases. All steam vessels may leave the lock under their own power. The master or person in charge of a vessel shall arrange to have any line, cable, or hawser handed or thrown from the lock walls by the superintendent or his assistants, made fast on the vessel as requested or directed, so that in cases of emergency such line, cable, or hawser may also be used to check the speed of and stop the vessel.
(h) When a vessel is in position in the lock it shall be securely fastened in a manner satisfactory to the superintendent, or his assistant in charge of the lock at the time, to prevent the vessel from moving about while the lock is being filled or emptied, and the lines, cables, and hawsers used for this purpose shall be attended as far as is necessary or required while the filling or emptying is in progress.
(i) No vessel which has iron or irons projecting from it or lumber or other cargo projecting over its sides shall enter the lock, except at such time and with such precautions to prevent damage to the lock or its appurtenances as the superintendent, or the assistant in charge of the lock at the time, may require.
(j) All persons, whether in charge of vessels or not, are prohibited from willfully or carelessly damaging the lock, any of its appurtenances or the grounds adjacent thereto, and from throwing any material of any kind into the lock. No line shall be attached to anything except the bollards and other fixtures provided for the purpose.
(k) Upon each passage through the lock, the master or clerk of a vessel shall make a statement of the kind and tonnage of the freight carried.
(l) No person shall cause or permit any vessel or boat of which he is in charge to remain in the lock or its approaches for a longer time than is necessary for the passage of the lock, unless he is especially permitted to do so by the superintendent or the assistant in charge of the lock at the time, and if such vessel or boat is, in the opinion of such superintendent or assistant, in a position to obstruct navigation it shall be removed at once as requested or directed by such superintendent or assistant.
(m) All registered merchant vessels shall pass through the lock in the order directed by the superintendent or the assistant in charge of the lock at the time. Unregistered craft will not be allowed to pass through the lock separately unless especially permitted by such superintendent or assistant.
(n) The lock shall be operated promptly for the passage of all vessels upon signal excepting only in such cases as are specifically provided for in this section.
§ 207.20 - Cape Cod Canal, Mass.; use, administration, and navigation.
(a) Limit of Canal. The canal, including approaches, extends from the Canal Station Minus 100 in Cape Cod Bay, approximately one and six-tenths (1.6) statute miles seaward of the Canal Breakwater Light, through dredged channels and land cuts to Cleveland Ledge Light in Buzzards Bay approximately four (4) statute miles southwest of Wings Neck.
(b) Supervision. (1) The movement of ships, boats and craft of every description through the canal and the operation and maintenance of the waterway and all property of the United States pertaining thereto shall be under the supervision of the Division Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer Division, New England, Corps of Engineers, Waltham, Massachusetts, or the authorized representative of the division engineer, the Engineer-In-Charge of the Cape Cod Canal. The division engineer or the Engineer-In-Charge from time to time will prescribe rules governing the dimensions of vessels which may transit the waterway, and other special conditions and requirements which will govern the movement of vessels using the waterway.
(2) The Engineer-In-Charge, through the marine traffic controller on duty, will enforce these regulations and monitor traffic through the canal. The marine traffic controller on duty is the individual responsible for interpretation of these regulations with respect to vessels transiting the canal. Vessels transiting the canal must obey the orders of the marine traffic controller.
(3) The government has tugs stationed at the West Boat Basin for emergency use on an on-call basis. A patrol vessel is manned and operational 24-hours a day.
(c) Communications. There is a marine traffic controller on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in the traffic control center located at the Canal Administrative Office. The primary method of communications between the canal and vessels transiting will be by VHF-FM Marine radio. The traffic controller can also be contacted by telephone.
(1) For radio communications, call the traffic controller on channel 16 to establish contact. The transmissions will then be switched to channel 12 or 14 as the working channel to pass information. Channel 13 is also available at the canal office; however, the use of channel 13 should be limited to emergency situations or whenever vessels do not have one of the other channels. All four channels are monitored continuously by the traffic controller. Radio discipline will be adhered to in accordance with FCC rules and regulations.
(2) For telephone communications with the traffic controller, call (617) 759-4431.
(3) Vessels shall maintain a radio guard on Marine VHF-FM channel 13 during the entire passage through the canal.
(4) All radio communications in the vicinity of the canal are tape recorded for future reference.
(d) Vessels allowed passage. The canal is open for passage to all adequately powered vessels properly equipped and seaworthy, of sizes consistent with safe navigation as governed by the controlling depths and widths of the channel and the vertical and horizontal clearances of the bridges over the waterway. The granting of permission for any vessel to proceed through the waterway shall not relieve the owners, agents and operators of full responsibility for its safe passage. No vessel having a greater draft forward than aft will be allowed to transit the canal. Craft of low power and wind driven are required to have and use auxiliary power during passage throughout the canal as defined in paragraph (a) of this section. Low powered vessels will be required to await slack water or favorable current for canal transit.
(e) Tows. (1) Tows shall be made-up outside the canal entrances. All vessels engaged in towing other vessels not equipped with a rudder shall use two lines or a bridle and one tow line. If the vessel in tow is equipped with a rudder or a ship shaped bow, one tow line may be used. All tow lines of hawsers must be hauled as short as practicable for safe handling of the tows. No towboat will be allowed to enter the waterway with more than two barges in tow unless prior approval is granted by the Engineer-In-Charge; requests must be submitted 12 hours in advance of the passage.
(2) The maximum length of pontoon rafts using the canal will be limited to 600 feet, and the maximum width to 100 feet. Pontoon rafts exceeding 200 feet in length will be required to have an additional tug on the stern to insure that the tow is kept in line. The tugs used must have sufficient power to handle the raft safely.
(3) Dead ships are required to transit the canal during daylight hours and must be provided with the number of tugs sufficient to afford safe passage through the canal. (A dead ship will not be allowed to enter the canal unless prior approval is granted by the Engineer-In-Charge; requests must be submitted 12 hours in advance of the passage).
(f) Dangerous cargoes. The master or pilot of any vessel or tow carrying dangerous cargoes must notify the Marine Traffic Controller prior to entering the canal. Dangerous cargoes are defined as those items listed in 33 CFR 126.10 when carried in bulk (i.e., quantities exceeding 110 U.S. gallons in one tank) plus Class A explosives (commercial or military) as listed in 49 CFR 173.53 (commercial) and 46 CFR 146.29-100 (military), liquified natural gas and liquified petroleum gas. Transportation of dangerous cargoes through the canal shall be in strict accordance with existing regulations prescribed by law. In addition, vessels carrying dangerous cargoes shall comply with the following requirements.
(1) They must have sufficient horsepower to overcome tidal currents or they will be required to wait for favorable current conditions.
(2) Transits will be during daylight hours.
(3) No transit will be permitted when visibility conditions are unstable or less than 2 miles at the approaches and throughout the entire length of the canal.
(4) Transits must await a clear canal for passage.
(g) Obtaining clearance. (1) Vessels under 65 feet in length may enter the canal without obtaining clearance. All craft are required to make a complete passage through the canal except excursion craft which may operate and change direction within the canal in accordance with procedures coordinated with the marine traffic controller on duty. When the railroad bridge span is in the closed (down) position, all vessels are directed not to proceed beyond the points designated by stop signs posted east and west of the railroad bridge. Vessels proceeding with a fair tide (with the current) should turn and stem the current at the designated stop points until the railroad bridge is in the raised (open) position.
(2) Vessels 65 feet in length and over shall not enter the canal until clearance has been obtained from the marine traffic controller by radio. See paragraph (c) “Communications” for procedures. If a vessel, granted prior clearance, is delayed or stops at the mooring basins, state pier, or the Sandwich bulkhead, a second clearance must be obtained prior to continuing passage through the canal.
(3) Vessels will be given clearance in the order of arrival, except when conditions warrant one-way traffic, or for any reason an order of priority is necessary, clearance will be granted in the following order.
(i) First—To vessels owned or operated by the United States, including contractors' equipment employed on canal maintenance or improvement work.
(ii) Second—To passenger vessels.
(iii) Third—To tankers and barges docking and undocking at the Canal Electric Terminal.
(iv) Fourth—To merchant vessels, towboats, commercial fishing vessels, pleasure boats and miscellaneous craft.
(4) Procedures in adverse weather: Vessels carrying flammable or combustible cargoes as defined in 46 CFR 30.25 will be restricted from passage through the canal when visibility is less than
(h) Traffic lights. There are three sets of traffic lights showing red, green, and yellow that are operated on a continuous basis at the canal. The traffic lights apply to all vessels 65 feet in length and over. The traffic lights are a secondary system that is operated in support of the radio communications system. The traffic lights are located at the easterly canal entrance, Sandwich, and at the westerly entrance to Hog Island Channel at Wings Neck. A third traffic light is located at the Canal Electric Terminal basin on the south side of the canal in Sandwich, and applies only to vessels arriving and departing that terminal.
(1) Westbound traffic. When the green light is on at the eastern (Cape Cod Bay) entrance, vessels may proceed westward through the canal. When the red light is on, any type of vessel 65 feet in length and over must stop clear of the Cape Cod Bay entrance channel. When the yellow light is on, vessels 65 feet in length and over and drawing less than 25 feet may proceed as far as the East Mooring Basin where they must stop. Prior to continuing passage through the canal, clearance must be obtained from the marine traffic controller.
(2) Eastbound traffic. When the green light is on at Wings Neck, vessels may proceed eastward through the canal. When the red light is on, vessels 65 feet and over in length and drawing less than 25 feet must keep southerly of Hog Island Channel Entrance Buoys Nos. 1 and 2 and utilize the general anchorage areas adjacent to the improved channel. Vessel traffic drawing 25 feet and over are directed not to enter the canal channel at the Cleveland Ledge Light entrance and shall lay to or anchor in the vicinity of Buzzards Bay Buoy No. 11 (FLW & Bell) until clearance is granted by the canal marine traffic controller or a green traffic light at Wings Neck is displayed. When the yellow light is on, vessels may proceed through Hog Island Channel as far as the West Mooring Basin where they must stop. Prior to continuing passage through the canal, clearance must be obtained from the marine traffic controller.
(i) Railroad Bridge Signals. The following signals at the Buzzards Bay Railroad Bridge will be given strict attention.
(1) The vertical lift span on the railroad bridge is normally kept in the raised (open) position except when it is lowered for the passage of trains, or for maintenance purposes. Immediately preceding the lowering of the span, the operator will sound two long blasts of an air horn. Immediately preceding the raising of the span, the operator will sound one long blast of an air horn. When a vessel or craft of any type is approaching the bridge with the span in the down (closed) position and the span cannot be raised immediately, the operator of the bridge will so indicate by sounding danger signals of four short blasts in quick succession.
(2) When the lift span is in the down (closed) position in foggy weather or when visibility is obscured by vapor, there will be four short blasts sounded from the bridge every two minutes.
(j) Speed. All vessels are directed to pass mooring and boat basin facilities, the state pier, and all floating plant engaged in maintenance operations of the waterway at a minimum speed consistent with safe navigation. In order to coordinate scheduled rail traffic with the passage of vessels, to minimize erosion of the canal banks and dikes from excessive wave wash and suction, and for the safety of vessels using the canal, the following speed regulations must be observed by vessels of all types, including pleasure craft. The minimum running time for the land cut between the East Mooring Basin (Station 35) and the Administration Office in Buzzards Bay (Station 388) is prescribed as follows:
(k) Management of vessels. (1) Vessels within the limits of the canal shall comply with applicable navigation rules.
(2) Vessels within the limits of the canal shall comply with the applicable requirements for the use of pilots established by the Coast Guard, including but not limited to those contained in 46 CFR 157.20-40. Vessels will not be granted clearance to enter the canal until the marine traffic controller has been notified of the name of the pilot who will be handling the vessel.
(3) The master of a vessel will be responsible for notifying the marine traffic controller as soon as an emergency situation appears to be developing. When in the opinion of the marine traffic controller an emergency exists, he/she can require the master to accept the assistance of a helper vessel. Whether or not assistance is provided by a government vessel or by a private firm under contract to the government, the government reserves the right to seek compensation from the vessel owners for all costs incurred.
(4) Right-of-Way: All vessels proceeding with the current shall have the right-of-way over those proceeding against the current. All craft up to 65 feet in length shall be operated so as not to interfere with the navigation of vessels of greater length.
(5) Passing of vessels: The passing of one vessel by another when proceeding in the same direction is prohibited except when a leading low powered ship is unable to make sufficient headway. However, extreme caution must be observed to avoid collision, and consideration must be given to the size of the ship to be overtaken, velocity of current and wind, and atmospheric conditions. Masters of vessels involved shall inform the marine traffic controller on duty of developing situations to facilitate coordination of vessel movement. Meeting or passing of vessels at the easterly end of the canal between Station Minus 40 and Station 60 will not be permitted, except in cases of extreme emergency, in order to allow vessels to utilize the center line range to minimize the effects of hazardous eddies and currents. Due to bank suction and tidal set, meeting and passing of vessels at the following locations will be avoided:
(i) Sagamore Bridge.
(ii) Bourne Bridge.
(iii) Railroad Bridge.
(iv) Mass Maritime Academy.
(6) Unnecessary delay in canal: Vessels and other type crafts must not obstruct navigation by unnecessarily idling at low speed when entering or passing through the canal.
(7) Stopping in the waterway: Anchoring in the Cape Cod Canal Channel is prohibited except in emergencies. For the safety of canal operations it is mandatory that the masters of all vessels anchoring in or adjacent to the canal channel (Cape Cod Bay to Cleveland Ledge Light) for any reason, immediately notify the marine traffic controller.
(8) Utilization of mooring and boat basins and the Sandwich Bulkhead: Vessels mooring or anchoring in the mooring or boat basins at the Sandwich bulkhead must do so in a manner not to obstruct or impede vessel movements to and from facilities. These facilities are of limited capacity and permission to occupy them for periods exceeding 24 hours must be obtained in advance from the marine traffic controller. Mooring in the West Boat Basin at Buzzards Bay, near the railroad bridge, is not permitted except in an emergency. Fishing boats, yachts, cabin cruisers and other craft utilizing the East Boat Basin on the south side of the canal at Sandwich, Massachusetts are not permitted to tie up at the Corps of Engineers landing float or anchor in a manner to prevent canal floating plant from having ready access to the float. All vessels or barges left unattended must be securely tied with adequate lines or cables. The United States assumes no liability for damages which may be sustained by any craft using the bulkhead at Sandwich or the canal mooring or boat basin facilities. Vessels shall not be left unattended along the face of the government bulkhead. A responsible person with authority to authorize and/or accomplish vessel movement must remain onboard at all times.
(l) Grounded, wrecked or damaged vessels. In the event a vessel is grounded, or so damaged by accident as to render it likely to become an obstruction and/or hazard to navigation in the waterway, the division engineer or the division engineer's authorized representative shall supervise and direct all operations that may be necessary to remove the vessel to a safe locality.
(m) [Reserved]
(n) Deposit of refuse. No oil or other allied liquids, ashes, or materials of any kind shall be thrown, pumped or swept into the canal or its approaches from any vessel or craft using the waterway, nor shall any refuse be deposited on canal grounds, marine structures, or facilities.
(o) Trespass to property. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (q) of this section trespass upon the canal property is prohibited.
(p) Bridges over the canal. The government owns, operates and maintains all bridges across the canal which include one railroad bridge and two highway bridges. The division engineer or his/her authorized representative may establish rules and regulations governing the use of these bridges.
(q) Recreational use of canal—(1) Policy. (i) It is the policy of the Secretary of the Army acting through the Chief of Engineers to provide the public with safe and healthful recreational opportunities within all water resource development projects administered by the Chief of Engineers, including the canal and government lands part thereof. Any recreational use of the canal and those lands shall be at the users own risk.
(ii) All water resource development projects open for recreational use shall be available to the public without regard to sex, race, creed, color or national origin. No lessee, licensee, or concessionaire providing a service to the public shall discriminate against any person or persons because of sex, race, creed, color or national origin in the conduct of operations under the lease, license or concession contract.
(2) Motor vehicles. Operation of motor vehicles, motorcycles, minibikes, mopeds, motorbikes, snowmobiles, and all types of off-road vehicles is prohibited on government lands and service roads except in areas specifically designated for such operation.
(3) Swimming. Swimming, skin diving, snorkeling, and scuba diving in the canal between the east entrance in Cape Cod Bay and the west entrance at Cleveland Ledge Light are prohibited. Diving operations may be authorized by the Engineer-In-Charge in conjunction with operation and maintenance of the canal.
(4) Camping. Overnight tenting or camping on government land is prohibited except in areas designated by the division engineer. Bourne Scenic Park and Scusset Beach State Reservation are designated camping areas. Persons asleep during hours of darkness in or out of vehicles shall be considered as campers.
(5) Fishing. Persons may fish with rod and line from the banks of the canal on Federally owned property except areas designated by the division engineer. Fishing and lobstering by boat in the Cape Cod Canal between the east entrance in Cape Cod Bay and the west entrance at Cleveland Ledge Light are prohibited. Fishing by boat is permitted in the area west of the State Pier in Buzzards Bay, provided that all craft stay out of the channel defined by U.S. Coast Guard buoys and beacons. Fish and game laws of the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will be enforced.
(6) Hunting. Hunting is permitted in accordance with game laws of the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(7) Fires. No open fires will be allowed at any time except by special permission and then shall be continuously overseen and in compliance with state or town laws.
(8) Control of animals and pets. (i) No person shall bring or have horses in camping, picnic, swimming beaches or developed recreation areas.
(ii) No person shall bring dogs (except seeing eye dogs), cats, or other pets into developed recreation areas unless penned, caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet or otherwise under physical restrictive controls at all time.
(9) Restrictions. (i) The division engineer may establish a reasonable schedule of visiting hours for all or portions of the project area and close or restrict the public use of all or any portion of the project by the posting of appropriate signs indicating the extent and scope of closure. All persons shall observe such posted restrictions.
(ii) The operation or use of any audio or other noise producing device including, but not limited to, communications media and vehicles in such a manner as to unreasonably annoy, endanger persons or affect vessel traffic through the canal is prohibited.
(10) Explosives, firearms, other weapons and fireworks. (i) The possession of loaded firearms, ammunition, projectile firing devices, bows and arrows, crossbows, and explosives of any kind is prohibited unless in the possession of a law enforcement officer or Government employee on official duty or used for hunting during the hunting season as permitted under paragraph (q)(6) of this section, or unless written permission has been received from the division engineer.
(ii) The possession or use of fireworks is prohibited unless written permission has been received from the division engineer.
(11) Public property. Destruction, injury, defacement or removal of public property including natural formations, historical and archeological features and vegetative growth is prohibited without written permission of the division engineer.
(12) Abandonment of personal property. (i) Abandonment of personal property is prohibited. Personal property shall not be left unattended upon the lands or waters of the project except in accordance with this regulation. After a period of 24 hours, abandoned or unattended personal property shall be impounded and stored at a storage point designated by the division engineer. The division engineer shall assess a reasonable impoundment fee, which shall be paid before the impounded property is returned to its owners.
(ii) The division engineer shall, by public or private sales or otherwise, dispose of all lost, abandoned, or unclaimed personal property that comes into his/her custody or control. However, efforts should be made to find the owner, the owner's heirs or next of kin, or legal representatives. If the owner, heirs or next of kin, or legal representative is determined but not found, the property may not be disposed of until the expiration of 120 days after the date when notice, giving the time and place of the intended sale or other disposition, has been sent by certified or registered mail to that person at last known address. When diligent effort to determine the owner, owner's heirs or next of kin, or legal representative is unsuccessful, the property may be disposed of without delay, except that if it has a fair market value of $25 or more the property generally may not be disposed of until three months after the date it is received at the Cape Cod Canal Administrative Office. The net proceeds from the sale of property shall be placed into the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts.
(13) Lost and found articles. All abandoned/lost articles shall be deposited by the finder at the Canal Administration office or with Canal ranger. The finder shall leave his/her name, address, and phone number. All lost articles shall be disposed of in accordance with procedures set forth in paragraph (q)(12) of this section.
(14) Advertisement. Advertising by the use of billboards, signs, markers, audio devices or any other means whatever is prohibited unless written permission has been received from the division engineer.
(15) Commercial activities. The engaging in or solicitation of business without the written permission of the division engineer is prohibited.
(16) Unauthorized structures. The construction or placing of any structure of any kind under, upon or over the project lands or water is prohibited unless a permit has been issued by the division engineer. Structures not under permit are subject to summary removal by the division engineer.
(17) Special events. Prior approval must be obtained from the Engineer-In-Charge for special events, recreational programs and group activities. The public shall not be charged any fee by the sponsor of such event unless the division engineer has approved in writing the proposed schedule of fees.
(18) Interference with government employees. Interference with any government employee in the conduct of official duties pertaining to the administration of these regulations is prohibited.
§ 207.50 - Hudson River Lock at Troy, N.Y.; navigation.
(a) Authority of lockmaster. The lockmaster shall be charged with the immediate control and management of the lock, and of the area set aside as the lock area, including the lock approach channels. He shall see that all laws, rules and regulations for the use of the lock and lock area are duly complied with, to which end he is authorized to give all necessary orders and directions in accordance therewith, both to employees of the Government and to any and every person within the limits of the lock or lock area, whether navigating the lock or not. No one shall cause any movement of any vessel, boat, or other floating thing in the lock or approaches except by or under the direction of the lockmaster or his assistants.
(b) Signals. Steamboats or tows desiring lockage in either direction shall give notice to the lock tenders, when not more than three-fourths mile from the lock, by one long blast of (10 seconds' duration), followed by one short blast (of three seconds' duration), or a whistle or horn. When the lock is ready for entrance a green light will be shown from the river wall. An amber light will indicate that the lock is being made ready for entrance. A red light will indicate that the approaching vessel must wait. Whenever local conditions make it advisable the visual signals will be supplemented by sound signals as follows:
(1) One long blast of a horn to indicate that the vessel must wait.
(2) One short blast of a horn to indicate that the lock is being made ready for entrance.
(3) Two short blasts of a horn to indicate permission to enter the lock.
(4) Four short and rapid blasts to attract attention, indicate caution, and signal danger.
(c) Draft of boats. Deep-draft boats must clear the miter sills by at least 3 inches. Boats drawing too much water will not be allowed to lighter cargo in the entrances.
(d) Precedence at the lock. The vessel arriving first at the lock shall be first to lock through; but precedence shall be given to vessels belonging to the United States and to commercial vessels in the order named. Arrival posts or markers may be established ashore above or below the lock. Vessels arriving at or opposite such posts or markers will be considered as having arrived at the lock within the meaning of this paragraph. If the traffic is crowded in both directions; up and down lockages will usually be made alternately, but the lock tender may permit two or more lockages to be made at one time in the same direction when this will not cause unreasonable delay. In case two or more boats or tows are to enter for the same lockage, they shall enter as directed by the lock tender. No boat shall run ahead of another while in the lock. The boat that enters first shall leave first.
(e) Lockage of pleasure boats. The lockage of pleasure boats, house boats or like craft shall be expedited by locking them through with commercial craft (other than barges carrying gasoline or highly hazardous materials) in order to utilize the capacity of the lock to its maximum. Lockage of pleasure craft may be made with commercial craft carrying petroleum products other than gasoline, provided a clear distance of at least 100 feet between such vessels can be maintained in the lock. If, after the arrival of such craft, no separate or combined lockage can be accomplished within a reasonable time, not to exceed the time required for three other lockages, then separate lockage shall be made.
(f) Stations while waiting. Boats waiting their turn to enter the lock must lie at a sufficient distance from the lock and in such a position as to leave sufficient room for the passage of boats leaving the lock.
(g) Unnecessary delay. (1) Boats must not cause delay in entering or leaving the lock. Masters and pilots will be held to a strict accountability in this matter, and those with tows must provide enough men to move barges promptly. Boats failing to enter the lock with reasonable promptness after being signaled will lose their turn.
(2) Tugboats arriving with their tows in a condition which will delay locking shall lose their turn if so ordered by the lock tender. Leaking boats may be excluded until put in shape to be passed through safely.
(h) Mooring. Boats in the lock or waiting in the entrance shall be moored where directed by the lock tender, by bow, stern, and spring lines, to the snubbing posts or line hooks. Tying boats to the lock ladders is strictly prohibited.
(i) Protection of lock gates. Boats will not be permitted to enter or leave the lock until the lock gates are at rest in the gate recesses and the lock tender has directed the boat to start.
(j) Damage to walls, etc. All craft passing through the lock must be free from projections or sharp corners which might scar the walls or injure other parts. Steamboats must be provided with suitable fenders, etc. One man shall be kept at the head of every tow till it has cleared the lock and guide walls, and shall use the fender to prevent scarring the walls.
(k) Handling machinery. None but employees of the United States will be allowed to move any valve, gate, or other machinery belonging to the lock.
(l) Refuse in lock. Throwing ashes, refuse, or other obstruction in the entrances or in the lock, or on the walls thereof, and passing coal from flats or barges to a steamboat while in the lock is prohibited.
(m) [Reserved]
(n) Trespass on U.S. property. Trespass on U.S. property, or willful injury to the banks, masonry, fences, trees, houses, machinery, or other property of the United States at or near the lock is strictly prohibited.
(o) Penalties. In addition to the penalties prescribed by law, boats which fail to comply with the regulations in this section will thereafter be refused lockage until assurances have been received, satisfactory to the District Engineer, Corps of Engineers, New York, New York, that the regulations will be complied with.
§ 207.60 - Federal Dam, Hudson River, Troy, N.Y.; pool level.
(a) Whenever the elevation of the pool created by the Federal dam at Troy, N.Y., shall fall to a point level with the crest of the main spillway, the elevation of which is + 14.33 feet mean sea level, the operation of the power plant shall cease and further operation thereof shall be suspended until such time as the water level rises to or above + 14.43 feet mean sea level.
(b) Flashboards may be maintained on the section of the spillway of the dam having an elevation of + 14.33 feet mean sea level in order to increase the elevation of this section to an elevation equal to that of the auxiliary spillway, or + 16.33 feet mean sea level: Provided, That the flashboards are so erected as to drop automatically when the pool level rises to an elevation of + 18.5 feet mean sea level, and conform in other respects to the plans attached thereto.
(c) The tide staff to be used in determining the elevation of the pool shall be the ceramic tide staff now located on the westerly face of the east lock wall north of the northerly gates, the zero of which is set 2 feet below mean sea level.
(d) The regulations of the pool level and the maintenance of flashboards shall be subject to the supervision and approval of the District Engineer, New York City.
§ 207.100 - Inland waterway from Delaware River to Chesapeake Bay, Del. and Md. (Chesapeake and Delaware Canal); use, administration, and navigation.
(a) Applicability. The regulations in this section are applicable to that part of the inland waterway from Delaware River to Chesapeake Bay, Del. and Md., between Reedy Point, Delaware River, and Old Town Point Wharf, Elk River.
(b) Supervision. The District Engineer, Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia, Pa., has administrative supervision over the waterway and is charged with the enforcement of these regulations. The District Engineer from time to time will prescribe rules governing the dimensions of vessels which may transit the waterway, and other special conditions and requirements which will govern the movement of vessels using the waterway. The District Engineer's representative is the Chesapeake City Resident Engineer. The Chesapeake City Resident Engineer through the dispatcher on duty will enforce these regulations and monitor traffic through the canal.
(c) Safe navigation required. Clearance for any vessel to enter or pass through any part of the waterway will be contingent on the vessel's having adequate personnel, machinery, and operative devices for safe navigation. In the event of question as to the ability of any vessel to navigate the waterway safely, a ruling will be made by the dispatcher. The owner, agent, master, pilot, or other person in charge of the vessel concerned may appeal the dispatcher's ruling to the District Engineer whose decision shall be final. A clearance by the dispatcher for a vessel's passage through the waterway shall not relieve the owners, agents, and operators of the vessel of full responsibility for its safe passage.
(d) Radio equipment. Requirements for radio equipment on vessels transiting the waterway are as described in rules governing traffic through the waterway issued by the District Engineer. Vessels not having the mandatory radio equipment will not be permitted to transit the canal.
(e) Anchorage and wharfage facilities. The anchorage basin at Chesapeake City and free wharfage facilities on the west side of the anchorage basin are available for small vessels only. These facilities are of limited capacity, and permission to occupy them for periods exceeding 24 hours must be obtained in advance from the dispatcher at Chesapeake City.
(f) Projections from vessels. No vessel carrying a deck load which overhangs or projects beyond the sides of the vessel will be permitted to enter or pass through the waterway. Vessels carrying rods, poles, or other gear extending above the top of the vessel's mast will be required to lower such equipment to a level with the top of the mast before entering the waterway.
(g) [Reserved]
(h) Tows—(1) Integrated pusher-type tows. The maximum overall length and extreme breadth of this type of tow which may transit the canal are as described in rules governing traffic through the waterway issued by the District Engineer.
(2) All other types of tows. All ships or tugs engaged in towing vessels not equipped with a rudder, whether light or loaded, shall use two towlines or a bridle on one towline. If the vessel in tow is equipped with a rudder, one towline without a bridle may be used. All towlines must be hauled as short as practicable for safe handling of the tows. No towboat will be permitted to enter the waterway with more than two loaded, or three light barges. Two or more barges or other vessels, not self-propelled, shall be towed abreast and not in tandem, using two towlines unless the towboat is made fast alongside the tow.
(i) [Reserved]
(j) Traffic lights. Traffic lights are located at Reedy Point and Old Town Point Wharf. These traffic lights are described in the rules governing traffic through the waterway issued by the District Engineer.
(k) Drawbridges. Operation of the Penn Central vertical lift bridge across the canal will be in accordance with regulations promulgated by the U.S. Coast Guard, § 117.235a Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, Del., of this chapter.
(l) [Reserved]
(m) Refuse and oil. The depositing of trash, refuse, debris, oil, or other material in the waterway or upon the banks or right-of-way is prohibited. Violators are subject to penalties as prescribed by Federal law.
(n) Damage to waterway property. Damage to the waterway, lands, banks, bridges, jetties, piers, fences, buildings, trees, telephone lines, lighting structures, or any other property of the United States pertaining to the waterway is prohibited.
(o) Fish and game. The fish and game laws of the United States and of the States of Delaware and Maryland, within their respective bounds, will be enforced upon the waters and lands pertaining to the waterway owned by the United States.
(p) Grounded, wrecked, or damaged vessels. In the event a vessel is grounded or wrecked in the waterway or is damaged by accident or successive mechanical breakdown, the owner, agent, or operator shall take prompt action to prevent the vessel from becoming or remaining an obstruction to navigation, and such persons shall also respond to such instructions as may be issued by the District Engineer to prevent the vessel from becoming or remaining a menace to navigation. The lack of reasonable response from owner, agent, or operator may be deemed sufficient cause for the District Engineer to undertake repair or removal of the vessel as he may determine to be in the best interest to the Government.
(q)-(s) [Reserved]
(t) Pilotage. Any pilot who pilots in the canal shall comply with State laws or Coast Guard regulations and must be licensed for this waterway by the U.S. Coast Guard.
(u) Vessels difficult to handle. Vessels which are observed by the pilot or master in charge, to be difficult to handle, or which are known to have handled badly on previous trips, must transit the canal during daylight hours and must have tug assistance. Such vessels must obtain permission from the dispatcher to enter the canal and must be provided with the number of tugs sufficient to afford safe passage. Agents must make their own arrangements for tug assistance. Such eastbound vessels must clear Reedy Point Bridge, and such westbound vessels the Chesapeake City Bridge, before dark.
§ 207.160 - All waterways tributary to the Atlantic Ocean south of Chesapeake Bay and all waterways tributary to the Gulf of Mexico east and south of St. Marks, Fla.; use, administration, and navigation.
(a) Description. This section applies to the following:
(1) Waterways. All navigable waters of the United States, natural or artificial, including bays, lakes, sounds, rivers, creeks, intracoastal waterways, as well as canals and channels of all types, which are tributary to or connected by other waterways with the Atlantic Ocean south of Chesapeake Bay or with the Gulf of Mexico east and south of St. Marks, Florida.
(2) Locks. All Government owned or operated locks and hurricane gate chambers and appurtenant structures in any of the waterways described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(3) U.S. property. All river and harbor lands owned by the United States in or along the waterways described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, including lock sites and all structures thereon, other sites for Government structures and for the accommodation and use of employees of the United States, and rights of way and spoil disposal areas to the extent of Federal interest therein.
(4) Vessels and rafts. The term “vessel” as used in this section includes all floating things moved over these waterways other than rafts.
(b) Authority of District Engineers. The use, administration, and navigation of these waterways, Federal locks and hurricane gate chambers shall be under the direction of the officers of the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, detailed in charge of the respective sections, and their authorized assistants. The cities in which the U.S. District Engineers are located are as follows:
U.S. District Engineer, Norfolk, Virginia.
U.S. District Engineer, Wilmington, North Carolina.
U.S. District Engineer, Charleston, South Carolina.
U.S. District Engineer, Savannah, Georgia.
U.S. District Engineer, Jacksonville, Florida.
(c) [Reserved]
(d) Bridges. (For regulations governing the operation of bridges, see §§ 117.1, 117.240 and 117.245 of this title.)
(e) Locks—(1) Authority of lockmasters—(i) Locks staffed with Government personnel. The provisions of this subparagraph apply to all waterways in this Section except for the segment of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway identified in (e)(1)(ii). The lockmaster shall be charged with the immediate control and management of the lock, and of the area set aside as the lock area, including the lock approach channels. He/she shall see that all laws, rules and regulations for the use of the lock and lock area are duly complied with, to which end he/she is authorized to give all necessary orders and directions in accordance therewith, both to employees of the Government and to any and every person within the limits of the lock and lock area, whether navigating the lock or not. No one shall cause any movement of any vessel, boat, or other floating thing in the lock or approaches except by or under the direction of the lockmaster or his/her assistants.
(ii) Locks staffed with contract personnel. The provisions of this subparagraph apply to the segment of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway comprising the Albermarle and Chesapeake Canal and the Dismal Swamp Canal including Great Bridge Lock, Chesapeake, Virginia; Deep Creek Lock, Chesapeake, Virginia; and South Mills Lock, North Carolina. Contract personnel shall give all necessary orders and directions for operation of the locks. No one shall cause any movement of any vessel, boat or other floating thing in the locks or approaches except by or under the direction of the contract lock operator. All duties and responsibilities of the lockmaster set forth in this section shall be performed by the contract lock operator except that the responsibility for enforcing all laws, rules and regulations shall be vested in a government employee designated by the Norfolk District Engineer. The District Engineer will notify waterway users and the general public through appropriate notices and media concerning the location and identity of the designated government employee.
(2) Signals. Vessels desiring lockage in either direction shall give notice to the lockmaster at not more than three-quarters of a mile nor less than one-quarter of a mile from the lock, by two long and two short blasts of a whistle. When the lock is available, a green light, semaphore or flag will be displayed; when not available, a red light, semaphore or flag will be displayed. No vessels or rafts shall approach within 300 feet of any lock entrance unless signalled to do so by the lockmaster.
(3) Precedence at locks. (i) The vessel arriving first at a lock shall be first to lock through; but precedence shall be given to vessels belonging to the United States and to commercial vessels in the order named. Arrival posts or markers may be established ashore above or below the locks. Vessels arriving at or opposite such posts or markers will be considered as having arrived at the locks within the meaning of this paragraph.
(ii) The lockage of pleasure boats, house boats or like craft shall be expedited by locking them through with commercial craft (other than barges carrying petroleum products or highly hazardous materials) in order to utilize the capacity of the lock to its maximum. If, after the arrival of such craft, no separate or combined lockage can be accomplished within a reasonable time not to exceed the time required for three other lockages, then separate lockage shall be made.
(4) Entrance to and exit from locks. No vessel or raft shall enter or leave the locks before being signalled to do so. While waiting their turns, vessels or rafts must not obstruct traffic and must remain at a safe distance from the lock. They shall take position in rear of any vessels or rafts that may precede them, and there arrange the tow for locking in sections if necessary. Masters and pilots of vessels or in charge of rafts shall cause no undue delay in entering or leaving the lock, and will be held to a strict accountability that the approaches are not at any time unnecessarily obstructed by parts of a tow awaiting lockage or already passed through. They shall provide sufficient men to move through the lock promptly without damage to the structures. Vessels or tows that fail to enter the locks with reasonable promptness after being signalled to do so will lose their turn.
(5) Lockage of vessels. (i) Vessels must enter and leave the locks carefully at slow speed, must be provided with suitable lines and fenders, must always use fenders to protect the walls and gates, and when locking at night must be provided with suitable lights and use them as directed.
(ii) Vessels which do not draw at least six inches less than the depth on miter sills or breast walls, or which have projections or sharp corners liable to damage gates or walls, shall not enter a lock or approaches.
(iii) No vessel having chains or lines either hanging over the sides or ends, or dragging on the bottom, for steering or other purposes, will be permitted to pass a lock or dam.
(iv) Power vessels must accompany tows through the locks when so directed by the lockmaster.
(v) No vessel whose cargo projects beyond its sides will be admitted to lockage.
(vi) Vessels in a sinking condition shall not enter a lock or approaches.
(vii) The passing of coal from flats or barges to steamers while in locks is prohibited.
(viii) Where special regulations for safeguarding human life and property are desirable for special situations, the same may be indicated by printed signs, and in such cases such signs will have the same force as other regulations in this section.
(ix) The lockmaster may refuse to lock vessels which, in his judgment, fail to comply with this paragraph.
(6) Lockage of rafts. Rafts shall be locked through in sections as directed by the lockmaster. No raft will be locked that is not constructed in accordance with the requirements stated in paragraph (g) of this section. The party in charge of a raft desiring lockage shall register with the lockmaster immediately upon arriving at the lock and receive instructions for locking.
(7) Number of lockages. Tows or rafts locking in sections will generally be allowed only two consecutive lockages if one or more single vessels are waiting for lockage, but may be allowed more in special cases. If tows or rafts are waiting above and below a lock for lockage, sections will be locked both ways alternately whenever practicable. When there are two or more tows or rafts awaiting lockage in the same direction, no part of one shall pass the lock until the whole of the one preceding it shall have passed.
(8) Mooring. (i) Vessels and rafts when in the lock shall be moored where directed by the lockmaster by bow, stern and spring lines to the snubbing posts or hooks provided for that purpose, and lines shall not be let go until signal is given for vessel or raft to leave. Tying boats to the lock ladders is prohibited.
(ii) The mooring of vessels or rafts near the approaches to locks except while waiting for lockage, or at other places in the pools where such mooring interferes with general navigation of the waterway is prohibited.
(9) Maneuvering locks. The lock gates, valves, and accessories will be moved only under the direction of the lockmaster; but if required, all vessels and rafts using the locks must furnish ample help on the lock walls for handling lines and maneuvering the various parts of the lock under the direction of the lockmaster.
(f) [Reserved]
(g) Rafts, logging. (1) Rafts will be permitted to navigate a waterway only if properly and securely assembled. The passage of “bag” or “sack” rafts, “dog” rafts, or of loose logs over any portion of a waterway, is prohibited. Each section of a raft will be secured within itself in such a manner as to prevent the sinking of any log, and so fastened or tied with chains or wire rope that it cannot be separated or bag out so as to materially change its shape. All dogs, chains and other means used in assembling rafts shall be in good condition and of ample size and strength to accomplish their purposes.
(2) No section of a raft will be permitted to be towed over any portion of a waterway unless the logs float sufficiently high in the water to make it evident that the section will not sink en route.
(3) Frequent inspections will be made by the person in charge of each raft to insure that all fastenings remain secure, and when any one is found to have loosened, it shall be repaired at once. Should any log or section be lost from a raft, the fact must be promptly reported to the District Engineer, giving as definitely as possible the exact point at which the loss occurred. In all cases the owner of the lost log or section will take steps immediately to remove the same from the waterway.
(4) The length and width of rafts shall not exceed such maximum dimensions as may be prescribed by the District Engineer.
(5) All rafts shall carry sufficient men to enable them to be managed properly, and to keep them from being an obstruction to other craft using the waterway. To permit safe passage in a narrow channel rafts will, if necessary, stop and tie up alongside the bank. Care must be exercised both in towing and mooring rafts to avoid the possibility of damage to aids to navigation maintained by the United States or under its authorization.
(6) When rafts are left for any reason with no one in attendance, they must be securely tied at each end and at as many intermediate points as may be necessary to keep the timbers from bagging into the stream, and must be moored so as to conform to the shape of the bank. Rafts moored to the bank shall have lights at 500-foot intervals along their entire length. Rafts must not be moored at prominent projections of the bank, or at critical sections.
(7) Logs may be stored in certain tributary streams provided a clear channel at least one-half the width of the channel be left clear for navigation along the tributary. Such storage spaces must be protected by booms and, if necessary to maintain an open channel, piling should also be used. Authority for placing these booms and piling must be obtained by written permit from the District Engineer.
(8) The building, assembling, or breaking up of a raft in a waterway will be permitted only upon special authority obtained from the District Engineer, and under such conditions as he may prescribe.
(h) Dumping of refuse or oil in waterway, obstructions. Attention is invited to the provisions of sections 13 and 20 of the River and Harbor Act of March 3, 1899 (30 Stat. 1152, 1154; 33 U. S. C. 407, 415), and of sections 2, 3, and 4 of the Oil Pollution Act of June 7, 1924 (43 Stat. 604, 605; 33 U.S.C. 432-434), which prohibit the depositing of any refuse matter in these waterways or along their banks where liable to be washed into the waters; authorize the immediate removal or destruction of any sunken vessel, craft, raft, or other similar obstruction, which stops or endangers navigation; and prohibit the discharge of oil from vessels into the coastal navigable waters of the United States.
(i) Damage. Masters and owners of vessels using the waterways are responsible for any damage caused by their operations to canal revetments, lock piers and walls, bridges, hurricane gate chambers, spillways, or approaches thereto, or other Government structures, and for displacing or damaging of buoys, stakes, spars, range lights or other aids to navigation. Should any part of a revetment, lock, bridge, hurricane gate chamber, spillway or approach thereto, be damaged, they shall report the fact, and furnish a clear statement of how the damage occurred, to the nearest Government lockmaster or bridge tender, and by mail to the District Engineer, U.S. Engineer Office, in local charge of the waterway in which the damage occurred. Should any aid to navigation be damaged, they shall report that fact immediately to the Superintendent of Lighthouses at Norfolk, Virginia, if north of New River Inlet, North Carolina; to the Superintendent of Lighthouses at Charleston, South Carolina, if between New River Inlet, North Carolina, and St. Lucie Inlet, Florida; to the Superintendent of Lighthouses at Key West, Florida, if between St. Lucie Inlet and Suwanee River, Florida; and to the Superintendent of Lighthouses, New Orleans, Louisiana, if between Suwanee River and St. Marks, Florida.
(j) Trespass on property of the United States. Trespass on waterway property or injury to the banks, locks, bridges, piers, fences, trees, houses, shops or any other property of the United States pertaining to the waterway is strictly prohibited. No business, trading or landing of freight or baggage will be allowed on or over Government piers, bridges, or lock walls.
(k) Copies of regulations. Copies of the regulations in this section will be furnished free of charge upon application to the nearest District Engineer.
§ 207.169 - Oklawaha River, navigation lock and dam at Moss Bluff, Fla.; use, administration, and navigation.
(a) The owner of or agency controlling the lock shall not be required to operate the navigation lock except from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the period of February 15 through October 15 each year, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the remaining months of the year. During the above hours and periods the lock shall be opened upon demand for the passage of vessels. The hours of operation are based on local time.
(b) The owner of or agency controlling the lock shall place signs of such size and description as may be designated by the District Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer District, Jacksonville, Fla., at each side of the lock indicating the nature of the regulations of this section.
§ 207.170 - Federal Dam, Oklawaha River, Moss Bluff, Fla.; pool level.
(a) The level of the pool shall normally be maintained at elevation 56.5 feet above sea level: Provided, That the level of the pool may be raised to not exceeding 58.5 feet above sea level at such times as may be authorized in writing by the District Engineer, Jacksonville, Fla., and subject to such conditions as he may specify.
(b) When, in the opinion of the District Engineer, an emergency exists requiring the lowering of the pool level to an elevation less than 56.5 above sea level either to safeguard the dikes or to increase the discharge from Lake Griffin in times of high water, the discharge past the dam shall be regulated in such manner as he may direct until he shall declare the emergency passed.
§ 207.170a - Eugene J. Burrell Navigation Lock in Haines Creek near Lisbon, Fla.; use, administration, and navigation.
(a) The owner of or agency controlling the lock shall not be required to operate the navigation lock except from 7 a.m. to 12 noon, and from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., during the period of February 15 through October 15 each year; and from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., during the remaining months of each year. During the above hours and periods the lock shall be opened upon demand for the passage of vessels.
(b) The owner of the lock shall place signs, of such size and description as may be designated by the District Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer District, Jacksonville, Florida, at each side of this lock indicating the nature of the regulations of this section.
§ 207.170b - Apopka-Beauclair Navigation Lock in Apopka-Beauclair Canal in Lake County, Fla.; use, administration, and navigation.
(a) The owner of or agency controlling the lock shall not be required to operate the navigation lock except from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., during the period of February 15 through October 15 each year; and from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon, and from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., during the remaining months of each year. During the above hours and periods the lock shall be opened upon demand for the passage of vessels.
(b) The owner of the lock shall place signs, of such size and descriptions as may be designated by the District Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer District, Jacksonville, Florida, at each side of this lock indicating the nature of the regulations.
§ 207.170c - Kissimmee River, navigation locks between Lake Tohopekaliga and Lake Okeechobee, Fla.; use, administration, and navigation.
(a) The owner of or agency controlling the locks shall be required to open the navigation locks upon demand for passage of vessels during the following hours and periods:
Locks S-61, S-65, and S-65E | ||
Monday through Friday | All year | 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
Saturday and Sunday | Mar. 1 through Oct. 31 | 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
Do | Nov. 1 through Feb. 28 | 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. |
Lock S-65A | ||
Seven days a week | All year | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
Locks S-65B, S-65C, and S-65D | ||
Monday through Friday | All year | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
Saturday and Sunday | Mar. 1 through Oct. 31 | 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
Do | Nov. 1 through Feb. 28 | 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. |
(b) The owner of or agency controlling the locks shall place signs, of such size and description as may be designated by the District Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer District, Jacksonville, Florida, at each side of the locks indicating the nature of the regulations of this section.
§ 207.170d - Taylor Creek, navigation lock (S-193) across the entrance to Taylor Creek at Lake Okeechobee, Okeechobee, Fla.; use, administration, and navigation.
(a) The owner of or agency controlling the lock shall not be required to operate the navigation lock except from 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. During the above hours the lock shall be opened upon demand for the passage of vessels.
(b) The owner of the lock shall place signs, of such size and description as may be designated by the District Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer District, Jacksonville, Florida at each side of this lock indicating the nature of the regulations of this section.
§ 207.175a - Carlson's Landing Dam navigation lock, Withlacoochee River, Fla.; use, administration, and navigation.
(a) The owner of or agency controlling the lock shall not be required to operate the navigation lock except from 7 a.m. to 12 noon, and from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., during the period of February 15 through October 15 each year; and from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., during the remaining months of each year. During the above hours and periods the lock shall be opened upon demand for the passage of vessels.
(b) The owner of or agency controlling the lock shall place signs, of such size and description as may be designated by the District Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer District, Jacksonville, Fla., at each side of the lock indicating the nature of the regulations in this section.
§ 207.180 - All waterways tributary to the Gulf of Mexico (except the Mississippi River, its tributaries, South and Southwest Passes and the Atchafalaya River) from St. Marks, Fla., to the Rio Grande; use, administration, and navigation.
(a) The regulations in this section shall apply to:
(1) Waterways. All navigable waters of the U.S. tributary to or connected by other waterways with the Gulf of Mexico between St. Marks, Fla., and the Rio Grande, Tex. (both inclusive), and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway; except the Mississippi River, its tributaries, South and Southwest Passes, and the Atchafalaya River above its junction with the Morgan City-Port Allen Route.
(2) Locks and floodgates. All locks, floodgates, and appurtenant structures in the waterways described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(3) Bridges, wharves, and other structures. All bridges, wharves, and other structures in or over these waterways.
(4) Vessels. The term “vessels” as used in this section includes all floating craft other than rafts.
(5) Rafts. The term “raft” as used in this section includes any and all types of assemblages of floating logs or timber fastened together for support or conveyance.
(b) Authority of District Engineers. The use, administration, and navigation of the waterways and structures to which this section applies shall be under the direction of the officers of the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, in charge of the respective districts, and their authorized assistants. The location of these Engineer Districts, and the limits of their jurisdiction, are as follows:
(1) U.S. District Engineer, Mobile, Ala. The St. Marks River, Fla., to the Pearl River, Mississippi and Louisiana; and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway from Apalachee Bay, Fla., to mile 36.4 east of Harvey Lock.
(2) U.S. District Engineer, Vicksburg, Miss. The Pearl River and its tributaries, Mississippi and Louisiana.
(3) U.S. District Engineer, New Orleans, La. From Pearl River, Mississippi and Louisiana, to Sabine River, Louisiana and Texas; and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway from mile 36.4 east of Harvey Lock, to mile 266 west of Harvey Lock.
(4) U.S. District Engineer, Galveston, Tex. The Sabine River, Louisiana and Texas, to the Rio Grande, Tex.; and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway from mile 266 west of Harvey Lock, to Brownsville, Tex.
(c) [Reserved]
(d) Locks and floodgates. (1) The term “lock” as used in this section shall include locks, floodgates, and appurtenant structures, and the area designated as the lock area including the lock approach channels.
(2) Authority of lockmasters. The term “lockmaster” as used in this section means the official in charge of operating a lock or floodgate. The lockmaster is responsible for the immediate management and control of the lock and lock area and for the enforcement of all laws, rules, and regulations for the use of the lock. He is authorized to give all necessary and appropriate orders and instructions to every person in the lock area, whether navigating the lock or not; and no one shall cause any movement of any vessel within the lock area unless instructed to do so by the lockmaster or his duly authorized assistants. The lockmaster may refuse passage through the lock to any vessel which, in his judgment, fails to comply with the regulations of this section.
(3) Sound signals. Vessels desiring passage through a lock shall notify the lockmaster by three long and distinct blasts of a horn, whistle, or calls through a megaphone, when within a reasonable distance from the lock. When the lock is ready for entrance, the lockmaster shall reply with three long blasts of a horn, whistle, or calls through a megaphone. When the lock is not ready for entrance, the lockmaster shall reply by four or more short, distinct blasts of a horn, whistle, or calls through a megaphone (danger signal). Permission to leave the lock shall be indicated by the lockmaster by one long blast.
(4) Visual signals. Signal lights and discs shall be displayed at all locks as follows:
(i) From sunset to sunrise. One green light shall indicate the lock is open to approaching navigation; one red light shall indicate the lock is closed to approaching navigation.
(ii) From sunrise to sunset. Large discs, identical in color and number to the light signals prescribed in paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section will be displayed from a mast on or near the lock wall.
(5) Radiophone. Locks will monitor continuously VHF—Channel 14 (“Safety and Calling” Channel) and/or AM-2738 kHz for initial communication with vessels. Upon arrival at a lock, a vessel equipped with radio-phone will immediately advise the lock by radio of its arrival so that the vessel may be placed on proper turn. Information transmitted or received in these communications shall in no way affect the requirements for use of sound signals or display of visual signals, as provided in paragraphs (d) (3) and (4) of this section.
(6) Precedence at locks. The order of precedence for locking is:
(i) U.S. Government vessels, passenger vessels, commercial vessels, rafts, and pleasure craft.
(ii) The vessel arriving first at a lock will be locked through first. When vessels approach simultaneously from opposite directions, the vessel approaching at the same elevation as the water in the lock chamber will be locked through first. In order to achieve the most efficient utilization of the lock, the lockmaster is authorized to depart from the normal order of locking precedence, stated in paragraph (d)(6)(i) of this section, as in his judgment is warranted.
(iii) The lockage of pleasure boats, houseboats, or like craft may be expedited by locking them through with commercial craft (other than vessels carrying dangerous cargoes, as described in 46 CFR part 146). If, after the arrival of such craft, no combined lockage can be made within reasonable time, not to exceed three other lockages, then separate lockage shall be made.
(7) Entrance to and exits from locks. No vessel or tow shall enter or exit from a lock before being signaled to do so. While awaiting turn, vessels or tows must not obstruct navigation and must remain at a safe distance from the lock, taking position to the rear of any vessel or tows that precede them; and rearranging the tow for locking in sections, if necessary. Masters and pilots of vessels or tows shall enter or exit from a lock with reasonable promptness after receiving the proper signal. Appropriate action will be taken to insure that the lock approaches are not obstructed by sections of a tow either awaiting lockage or already locked through. Masters of vessels shall provide sufficient men to assist in the locking operation when deemed necessary by the lockmaster. Care shall be taken to insure prompt and safe passage of the vessel without damage to the structure.
(8) Lockage and passage of vessels. Vessels or tows shall enter and exit from locks under sufficient control to prevent damage to the lock, gates, guide walls, fenders, or other parts of the structure. Vessels shall be equipped with and use suitable fenders and adequate lines to protect the lock and to insure safe mooring during the locking operation. Vessels shall not meet or pass anywhere between the gate walls or fender system or in the approaches to locks.
(9) Vessels prohibited from locks. The following vessels shall not be permitted to enter locks or approach channels:
(i) Vessels in a sinking condition.
(ii) Vessels leaking or spilling cargo.
(iii) Vessels not having a draft of at least three (3) inches less than the depth over the sills or breast walls.
(iv) Vessels having projection or cargo loaded in such a manner that is liable to damage the structure.
(v) Vessels having chains, links, or drags either hanging over the sides or ends or dragging on the bottom for steering or other purposes.
(vi) Vessels containing flammable or dangerous cargo must have the hatch covers in place and securely fastened.
(10) Number of lockages. Tows locking in sections will generally be allowed only two consecutive lockages if other vessels are waiting for lockage unless otherwise decided by the lockmaster. If other tows are waiting above and below a lock, lockages will be made both ways alternately whenever practicable.
(11) Mooring in locks. (i) When in a lock, vessels and tows shall be moored where directed by the lockmaster by bow, stern, and spring lines to the snubbing posts or hooks provided for that purpose, and lines shall not be let go until the signal is given for the vessel to exit. Tying to the lock ladders is prohibited.
(ii) Mooring near the approaches to locks is prohibited except when the vessels or tows are awaiting lockage.
(12) Lock operating personnel. Vessels and tows using the locks may be required to furnish personnel to assist in locking through; however, the operation of the structure is the responsibility of the lockmaster, and personnel assisting in the lockage of the vessels and tows will follow the direction of the appropriate official on duty at the lock. No gates, valves or other accessories or controls will be operated unless under his direction.
(13) [Reserved]
(14) Lockage of rafts. Rafts shall be locked through as directed by the lockmaster. No raft will be locked that is not constructed in accordance with the requirements stated in paragraph (f) of this section. The person in charge of a raft desiring lockage shall register with the lockmaster immediately upon arriving at the lock and receive instructions for locking.
(e) Waterways. (1)-(5)(i) [Reserved]
(ii) Algiers Canal between the Mississippi River and Bayou Barataria, La., and on Harvey Canal, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, mile 0 to mile 6 WHL, tows 74 feet in width will be allowed. Tows in excess of 55 feet wide desiring to move over Algiers Canal or Harvey Canal will obtain clearance from the lockmaster at Algiers Lock or Harvey Lock, respectively, before entering the canal. Overwidth tows will report clearing Algiers or Harvey Canal to the respective lockmaster and will rearrange tows to conform to prescribed dimensions immediately upon leaving the canal. The lockmaster will withhold permission for additional tows over 55 feet wide until all previously authorized tows moving in the opposite direction have cleared the waterway.
(iii)-(vi) [Reserved]
(vii) Vessels or tows shall not navigate through a drawbridge until the movable span is fully opened.
(6) Projections from vessels. Vessels or tows carrying a deck load which overhangs or projects over the side, or whose rigging projects over the side, so as to endanger passing vessels, wharves, or other property, shall not enter or pass through any of the narrow parts of the waterway without prior approval of the District Engineer.
(7) Meeting and passing. Passing vessels shall give the proper signals and pass in accordance with the Federal Rules of the Road. At certain intersections where strong currents may be encountered, sailing directions may be issued through navigation bulletins or signs posted on each side of the intersection.
(f) Rafts. The navigation regulations in this paragraph shall apply fully to the movement of rafts.
(1) Rafts will be permitted to navigate a waterway only if properly and securely assembled. Each raft shall be so secured as to prevent the loss or sinking of logs.
(2) All rafts shall carry sufficient men to enable them to be managed properly. It will be the responsibility of the owner to remove logs from the waterway that have broken loose from the raft.
(3) Building, assembling, or breaking up of a raft within a waterway may be permitted; however, the work must be done in an area that will not restrict the use of the waterway by other users. The work area must be cleared of loose logs so that they will not enter the waterway and become a hazard to navigation.
(g) Damage. Should any damage be done to a revetment, lock, floodgates, bridge, or other federally owned or operated structure, the master of the vessel shall report the accident to the nearest lockmaster or bridgetender as soon as possible after the accident. Damage to aids to navigation and to nonfederally owned bridges must be reported to the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, New Orleans, La.
(h) Marine accidents. Masters, mates, pilots, owners, or other persons using the waterways covered by this section shall report to the District Engineer at the earliest possible date any accident on the waterway which causes any vessel to become an obstruction to navigation. The information to be furnished the District Engineer shall include the name of the vessel, its location, and the name and address of the owner. The owner of a sunken vessel shall properly mark the vessel as soon as practicable after sinking.
(i) Trespass on U.S. property. (1) Trespass on or injury to waterway property of the United States is prohibited. No business, trading, or landing of freight, will be allowed on Government property without permission of the District Engineer.
(2) The District Engineer may establish policy pertaining to mooring, exchanging crews, loading and unloading supplies, and making emergency repairs in the vicinity of locks so long as navigation is not impeded thereby.
(j) Liability. The regulations of this section will not affect the liability of the owners and operators of vessels for any damage caused by their operations to the waterway or to the structures therein.
§ 207.185 - Taylors Bayou, Tex., Beaumont Navigation District Lock; use, administration, and navigation.
(a) Between March 15 and September 15 each year, pleasure boats, houseboats, and other craft not employed for commercial purposes, will be locked through only at 6:00 and 11:45 a.m., and 6:30 p.m., except in cases of emergency; but whenever a lockage is made for a commercial boat, other craft may likewise pass through if there is room in the lock. At all other times lockages shall be made in accordance with § 207.180.
(b) The lock tender or one in charge of the lock shall be the judge as to whether the boat presenting itself for lockage is a commercial or pleasure boat.
§ 207.187 - Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Tex.; special floodgate, lock and navigation regulations.
(a) Application. The regulations in this section shall apply to the operation of the Brazos River Floodgates and the Colorado River Locks at Mile 400.8 and Mile 441.5, respectively, west of Harvey Lock, La., on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and navigation of the tributary Colorado River Channel in the vicinity of said locks.
(b) Definitions. The term current means the velocity of flow of water in the river. It is expressed in statute miles per hour. The term “head differential” means the difference measured in feet between the water level in the river and that in the waterway when the floodgates or lock gates are closed. The term “Lockmaster” means the official in charge of the floodgates or locks.
(c) Operation of floodgates and locks—(1) Unlimited passage. The floodgates and locks shall be opened for the passage of single vessels and towboats with single or multiple barges when the current in the river is less than 2 miles per hour and the head differential is less than 0.7 foot. When the head differential is less than 0.7, the Colorado River locks shall normally be operated as floodgates, using only the riverside gates of each lock.
(2) Limited passage. When the current in either river exceeds 2 miles per hour or the head differential at the Brazos River floodgates is between the limits of 0.7 foot and 1.8 feet, both inclusive, or the head differential at the Colorado River locks is 0.7 foot or greater, passage shall be afforded only for single vessels or towboats with single loaded barges or two empty barges. When two barges are rigidly assembled abreast of each other and the combined width of both together is 55 feet or less, they shall be considered as one barge. Each section of an integrated barge shall be considered as one barge, except when it is necessary to attach a rake section to a single box section to facilitate passage, the two sections shall be considered as one barge. It shall be the responsibility of the master, pilot or other person in charge of a vessel to determine whether a safe passage can be effected, give due consideration to the vessel's power and maneuverability, and prevailing current velocity, head differential, weather and visibility. If conditions are not favorable, passage shall be delayed until conditions improve and a safe crossing is assured.
(3) Gate closures. The Brazos River Floodgates shall be closed to navigation when the head differential exceeds 1.8 feet. The Colorado River Locks shall be closed to navigation when the current in the river exceeds a critical velocity as determined by the District Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer District, Galveston, Tex. The Brazos River Floodgates or the Colorado River Locks shall be closed to navigation when in the opinion of said District Engineer it is required for the protection of life and property, or it is to the advantage of the Government to permit uninterrupted emergency or maintenance operations, including dredging.
(4) Mooring facilities. Mooring facilities located on both banks of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway on the approaches to the floodgates and locks are for the mooring of vessels when the floodgates or locks are closed to navigation or tows are limited to single barges. Vessels awaiting passage shall be moored parallel to the bank and as close to the bank as possible. Barges shall be moored fore and aft with two lines, each to a separate mooring facility. Beaching of vessels in lieu of mooring them is prohibited. The mooring facilities are numbered and vessels making fast to them shall notify the Lockmaster giving the number of each facility being used.
(5) [Reserved]
(6) Communication—(i) Radio. The floodgates and locks are equipped with short wave radio equipment transmitting and receiving on VHF—FM Channels 12, 13, 14 and 16. Call letters for the floodgates are WUI 411 and for the locks are WUI 412.
(ii) Telephone. The floodgates and locks are equipped with telephone facilities. The floodgates may be reached by phoning Freeport, Tx, 713-233-1251; the locks may be reached by phoning Matagorda, Tx, 713-863-7842.
(7) Arrival posts. Arrival posts 10 feet high and 10 inches in diameter have been established on the approaches to the locks and floodgates. They are painted with alternate horizontal bands of red and white 3 inches wide. Arrival at the floodgates or locks shall be determined as provided in paragraph (d)(4) of § 207.180.
(d) Navigation of the Colorado River Channel—(1) Traffic signals. (i) Light and sound signals directed both upstream and downstream on the Colorado River are mounted on top of a galvanized skeleton steel tower 85 feet high located on the northeast point of land at the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway crossing of the river. They will be operated from the control house of the East Lock of the Colorado River Locks to direct the interchange of traffic in the Colorado River and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.
(ii) Vessels navigating the Colorado River and desiring passage either upstream or downstream through the crossing, or into the crossing and through a lock into the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, shall give notice to the Lockmaster by two long and distinct blasts of a whistle or horn when within a distance of not more than one-half mile nor less than one-fourth mile from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway crossing. When the locks and the crossing are clear of vessels, the Lockmaster shall reply by two long and distinct blasts of a whistle or horn and display a green light from the signal tower indicating that the vessel in the river may proceed across the crossing or into the main stem of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway either eastbound or westbound. When there are vessels in the river crossing or in the locks, the Lockmaster shall reply by four or more short blasts of a whistle or horn (danger signal) and display a red light from the signal tower indicating the vessel in the river shall wait at least a quarter of a mile from the crossing for clearance. When the locks and crossing are clear of vessels, the lockmaster shall indicate to the waiting vessel by two long and distinct blasts of a whistle or horn and display of a green light from the signal tower indicating that the vessel may proceed across the crossing or into the main stem of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway either eastbound or westbound. During periods when the red light may be obscured by fog, mist, or rain, an audible signal consisting of a long blast followed by a short blast of a whistle or horn, repeated every 30 seconds, shall be sounded from the signal tower as an adjunct to the red light.
(2) Signs. Large signs with silver reflective background and stop sign red letters are erected one-fourth mile upstream and downstream from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway on the Colorado River. The legend states “DO NOT PROCEED BEYOND THIS POINT WHEN SIGNAL TOWER LIGHT IS RED.” These signs must be obeyed.
The foregoing regulations are supplementary to the regulations in § 207.180.
§ 207.200 - Mississippi River below mouth of Ohio River, including South and Southwest Passes; use, administration, and navigation.
(a) Mississippi River bank protection works provided by United States. Except in case of great emergency, no vessel or craft shall anchor over revetted banks of the river, and no floating plant other than launches and similar small craft shall land against banks protected by revetment except at regular commercial landings. In all cases, every precaution to avoid damage to the revetment works shall be exercised. The construction of log rafts along mattressed or paved banks or the tying up and landing of log rafts against such banks shall be performed in such a manner as to cause no damage to the mattress work or bank paving. Generally, mattress work extends out into the river 600 feet from the low water line. Information as to the location of revetted areas may be obtained from, and will be published from time to time by, the District Engineers, Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Memphis, Tennessee, and the President, Mississippi River Commission, Vicksburg, Mississippi.
(b) Mississippi River below Baton Rouge, La., including South and Southwest Passes—(1) Supervision. The use, administration, and navigation of the waterways to which this paragraph applies shall be under the supervision of the District Engineer, Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana.
(2)-(3) [Reserved]
(4) Cable and pipeline crossings. Any cable or pipeline crossing or extending into the waterways shall be marked by large signs with 12-inch black letters on a white background readable from the waterway side, placed on each side of the river near the point where the cable or pipeline enters the water, and at a sufficient height to be readable above any obstructions normally to be expected at the locality such as weeds or moored vessels.
(5) Marine accidents. Masters, mates, pilots, owners, or other persons using the waterway to which this paragraph applies shall notify the District Engineer by the most expeditious means available of all marine accidents, such as fire, collision, sinking, or stranding, where there is possible obstruction of the channel or interference with navigation or where damage to Government property is involved, furnishing a clear statement as to the name, address, and ownership of the vessel or vessels involved, the time and place, and the action taken. In all cases, the owner of the sunken vessel shall take immediate steps properly to mark the wreck.
§ 207.249 - Ouachita and Black Rivers, Ark. and La., Mile 0.0 to Mile 338.0 (Camden, Ark.) above the mouth of the Black River; the Red River, La., Mile 6.7 (Junction of Red, Atchafalaya and Old Rivers) to Mile 276.0 (Shreveport, La.); use, administration, and navigation.
(a) [Reserved]
(b) Locks—(1) Authority of lockmasters. (i) Locks staffed with Government personnel. The lockmaster shall be charged with the immediate control and management of the lock and of the area set aside as the lock area, including the lock approach channels. He shall insure that all laws, rules, and regulations for the use of the lock and lock area are duly complied with, to which end he is authorized to give all necessary orders and directions in accordance therewith both to employees of the Government and to any and every person within the limits of the lock or lock area, whether navigating the lock or not. No one shall cause any movement of any vessel or other floating thing in the lock or approaches except by or under the direction of the lockmaster or his assistants. For the purpose of the regulations in this section, the “lock area” is considered to extend from the downstream to the upstream arrival posts.
(ii) Locks staffed with contract personnel. Contract lock operators shall give all necessary orders and direction for operation of the locks. No one shall cause any movement of any vessel or other floating object in the locks or approaches except by or under the direction of the contract lock operator. All duties and responsibilities of the lockmasters set forth in this section shall be performed by the contract lock operator except that the responsibility for enforcing all laws, rules and regulations shall be vested in an offsite government employee designated by the Vicksburg District Engineer.
(2) Sound signals. (i) Vessels desiring passage through a lock in either direction shall give notice to the lockmaster by one long and one short distinct blast of a horn or whistle when not less than three-fourths mile from the lock. When carrying dangerous cargo, the signal will be one long and two short blasts of the horn or whistle. When the lock is ready for entrance, the lockmaster shall reply with one long blast of a horn or whistle. When the lock is not ready for entrance, the lockmaster shall reply by four or more short, distinct blasts of a horn or whistle (danger signal). Permission to leave the lock shall be indicated by the lockmaster by one short blast. A distinct blast is defined as a clearly audible blast of any length. A long blast means a blast of from 4 to 6 seconds' duration. A short blast is of about 1 second's duration.
(ii) Vessels that are not equipped with a sound signal desiring passage through a lock shall give notice to the lockmaster by one long blast of the horn located at either end of the lock wall. The horn may be activated by pulling the properly marked chain or rope hanging from the horn down to the water surface. One long blast means a blast of from 4 to 6 seconds' duration.
(3) Visual signals. Signal lights will be displayed outside each lock gate to supplement the sound signals, as follows:
(i) One green light to indicate that the lock is open to approaching navigation.
(ii) One red light to indicate that the lock is not open to approaching navigation. Vessels shall stand clear.
(iii) Navigation over the dam is possible during high water. When this condition exists, a continuous flashing red light, visible upstream and downstream, will be displayed to indicate that traffic will bypass the lock and pass over the dam on the Ouachita and Black Rivers.
(iv) A navigation pass is not provided as part of the Red River Locks and Dams. When water levels rise to within 2 feet of the top of the lock walls, operation of the locks will cease until the water level falls below this level. These stages can reasonably be expected to occur once in 10 years. No vessel, tow, or raft shall attempt to navigate over the lock or other structures at high river stages. United States Coast Guard radiotelephone broadcasts and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers navigation bulletins should be monitored for information on lock operations.
(4) Radiotelephone. Two-way radio equipment is provided at all locks. The “Safety and Calling” channel (Channel 16, frequency of 156.8 mhz), will be monitored at all times for initial communication with vessels. Information transmitted or received in these communications shall in no way affect the requirements for the use of sound signals or display of visual signals as provided in paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) of this section.
(5) Precedence at locks. (i) The vessel arriving first at a lock will be first to lock through. In the case of vessels approaching the lock simultaneously from opposite directions, the vessel approaching at the same elevation as the water in the lock chamber will be locked through first. Precedence shall be given to vessels belonging to the United States, passenger vessels, commercial vessels, rafts, and pleasure craft, in the order named. Arrival posts or markers will be established ashore above and below the locks. Vessels arriving at or opposite such posts or markers will be considered as having arrived at the lock within the meaning of this paragraph (b)(5). The lockmaster may prescribe such departure from the normal order of precedence stated above, as in his judgment, is warranted under prevailing circumstances to achieve best lock utilization.
(ii) The lockage of pleasure boats, houseboats, or like craft may be expedited by locking them through with commercial craft (other than barges carrying dangerous cargoes). If, after the arrival of such craft, no combined lockage can be accomplished within a reasonable time, not to exceed the time required for three other lockages, then separate lockages shall be made. Dangerous cargoes are described in 46 CFR part 146.
(iii) Vessels, tows, or rafts navigating on the Ouachita and Black Rivers with overall dimensions greater than 80 feet wide, 600 feet long, and 9 feet draft, or tows or rafts requiring breaking into two or more sections to pass through the lock may transit the lock at such time as the lockmaster determines that they will neither unduly delay the transit of craft of lesser dimensions, nor endanger the lock structure and appurtenances because of wind, current, or other adverse conditions. These craft are also subject to such special handling requirements as the lockmaster finds necessary at the time of transit.
(iv) The maximum dimensions on the Red River Waterway of a vessel tow attempting to pass through the lock during normal pool stages in a single passage are 80 feet wide, 705 feet long, and 9 feet draft. Tows requiring breaking into two or more sections to pass through the lock may transit the lock at such times as the lockmaster/lock operator determines that they will neither unduly delay the transit of craft of lesser dimensions, nor endanger the lock structure and appurtenances because of wind, current, or other adverse conditions. These craft are also subject to such special handling requirements as the lockmaster/lock operator finds necessary at the time of transit.
(6) Entrance to an exit from locks. No vessel or raft shall enter or leave locks before being signaled to do so. While waiting their turn, vessels or rafts must not obstruct navigation and must remain at a safe distance from locks. Before entering a lock they shall take position in the rear of any vessels or rafts that precede them, and there arrange the tow for locking in sections if necessary. Masters and pilots of vessels or persons in charge of rafts shall cause no undue delay in entering or leaving locks upon receiving the proper signal. They shall take such action as will insure that the approaches are not at any time unnecessarily obstructed by parts of a tow awaiting lockage or already passed through. They shall provide sufficient men to move through locks promptly without damage to the structures. Vessels or tows shall enter locks with reasonable promptness after being signaled to do so.
(7) Lockage and passage of vessels. (i) Vessels shall enter and leave locks under such control as to prevent any damage to the locks, gates, guide walls, guard walls, and fenders. Vessels shall be provided with suitable lines and fenders, shall always use fenders to protect the walls and gates, and when locking at night shall be provided with suitable lights and use them as directed. Fenders on vessels shall be water-soaked or otherwise fire proofed before being utilized in the lock or approaches. Vessels shall not meet or pass each other anywhere between the guide walls or fender system at the approaches to locks.
(ii) Vessels which do not have a draft of at least 2 feet less than the depth over sills, or which have projections liable to damage gates, walls, or fenders, shall not enter the approaches to or pass through locks. Information concerning depth over sills may be obtained from the lockman on duty.
(iii) Vessels having chains, lines, or drags either hanging over the sides or ends or dragging on the bottom for steering or other purposes will not be permitted to pass locks or dams.
(iv) Towing vessels shall accompany all tows or partial tows through locks.
(v) No vessel whose cargo projects beyond its sides will be admitted to lockage.
(vi) Vessels in a sinking condition shall not enter locks or approaches.
(vii) The lockmaster may refuse to lock vessels which in his judgment fail to comply with the regulations in this paragraph.
(viii) This section shall not affect the liability of the owners and operators of boats for any damage caused by their operations to locks or other structures.
(8) Number of lockages. Tows or rafts locking in sections will generally be allowed only two consecutive lockages if individual vessels are waiting for lockage, but may be allowed more in special cases. If tows or rafts are waiting above and below a lock for lockage, sections will be locked both ways alternately whenever practicable. When two or more tows or rafts are waiting lockage in the same direction, no part of one shall pass the lock until the whole of the one preceding it shall have passed.
(9) Mooring. (i) Vessels and rafts when in a lock shall be moored where directed by the lockmaster by bow, stern, and spring lines to the bitts provided for that purpose and lines shall not be let go until the signal is given for the vessel or raft to leave. Tying to the lock ladders is prohibited.
(ii) The mooring of vessels or rafts near the approaches to locks except while waiting for lockage, or at other places in the pools where such mooring interfers with general navigation, is prohibited.
(10) Operating locks. The lock gates, valves, and accessories will be moved only under the direction of the lockmaster; but, if required, all vessels and rafts using the locks shall furnish ample help on the lock walls for handling lines under the direction of the lockmaster.
(c) Trespass on U.S. property. Trespass on lock grounds or other waterway property or injury to the banks, lock entrances, locks, cribs, dams, piers, fences, trees, buildings, or any other property of the United States pertaining to the waterway is strictly prohibited. No landing of freight, passengers, or baggage will be allowed on or over Government piers, lock walls, guide or guard walls, except by permission of the lockmaster. No person except employees of the United States or persons assisting with the locking operations under the direction of the lockmaster will be allowed on the dam, lock walls, guide walls, guard walls, abutments, or appurtenant structures.
(d) Vessels to carry regulations. A copy of the regulations in this section shall be kept at all times on board each vessel regularly navigating the waterways to which the regulations in this section apply. Copies may be obtained free of charge at any of the locks or from the Vicksburg District Engineer, Vicksburg, Mississippi, upon request.
§ 207.260 - Yazoo Diversion Canal, Vicksburg, Miss., from its mouth at Kleinston Landing to Fisher Street; navigation.
(a) Signals. Vessels navigating the canal will be governed by the Pilot Rules for Western Rivers (rivers emptying into the Gulf of Mexico and their tributaries) prescribed by the U.S. Coast Guard. (See part 95 of this title.)
(b) Rafts. Rafts will be permitted to navigate the canal only if properly and securely assembled. Each section of a raft shall be so secured within itself as to prevent the sinking of any log, and so fastened with chains or wire rope that it cannot be separated or bag out or materially change its shape. All logs, chains, and other means used in assembling rafts shall be in good condition and of ample size and strength to accomplish their purpose. No section of a raft will be permitted to be towed unless the logs float sufficiently high in the water to make it evident that the section will not sink en route. Rafts shall not be of greater dimensions than 50 feet wide by 600 feet long, and if longer than 300 feet they shall be handled by two tugs; and in all cases they must be handled by sufficient tug power to make headway and guide the raft so as to give half the channel to passing vessels.
(c) Mooring. At stages below 20 feet on the Vicksburg Gage, no vessel or raft shall be moored along the west bank of the canal between points Latitude 32°21′16″, Longitude 90°53′05″ and Latitude 32°20′55″, Longitude 90°53′18″, which is approximately 1200 feet above and 1200 feet below the public boat launch (foot of Clay Street) at Vicksburg City Front. No vessel or raft shall be moored along the west bank of the canal at any stage from the mouth of the Yazoo Diversion Canal where it enters into the Mississippi River to Latitude 32°20′21″, Longitude 90°53′44″, which is approximately 1200 feet from the mouth of the canal. No vessel or raft shall be moored along the east bank of the canal at any stage from the mouth of the Yazoo Diversion Canal where it enters into the Mississippi River to Latitude 32°20′12″, Longitude 90°53′41″, which is approximately 750 feet from the mouth of the canal. When tied up, boats, barges, or rafts shall be moored by bow and stern lines parallel to the bank and as close in as practicable. Lines shall be secured at sufficiently close intervals to insure the vessel or raft will not be drawn away from the bank by winds, current, or other passing vessels. No vessel or raft shall be moored along the banks of the canal for a period longer than five (5) calendar days without written permission from the District Engineer, Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District Office, 4155 E. Clay St., Vicksburg, Mississippi 39180-3435.
(d) [Reserved]
(e) Refuse in canal. No person shall roll or throw any stones, ashes, cinders, barrels, logs, log butts, sawdust, shavings, refuse, or any other material into the canal or the approach thereto, or place any such material on the bank or berm so that it is liable to be rolled, thrown, or washed into the canal.
(f) Preservation of works of improvement. Masters and pilots of all craft using the canal shall avoid damaging any revetment, dike, floodwall, or other work of improvement placed in or adjacent to the canal. They shall not disturb any gages or marks set as aids to navigation in the canal or approaches thereto.
(g) Fairway. A clear channel not less than 175 feet wide as established by the District Engineer shall be left open at all times to permit free and unobstructed navigation by all types of vessels.
§ 207.270 - Tallahatchie River, Miss., between Batesville and the mouth; logging.
(a) The floating of “sack”, rafts, or of loose timbers, logs, or cribs is prohibited.
(b) Rafts shall be made up of logs parallel with each other, secured, and held closely together by cross sticks, chains, or cables placed across each crib and at the joints between cribs. No raft shall be over 60 feet wide or 800 feet long.
(c) In rafting nonbuoyant timber each crib must contain self-buoyant logs in such proportion of “floaters” to “sinkers” as will safely float the whole; and in assembling such cribs, extra strong connections must be used to prevent the breaking up of a crib or the detachment of individual logs.
(d) No raft shall be moved at river stages less than that corresponding to a reading of 3
(e) A raft in transit must be accompanied by sufficient men, or by power boats of sufficient capacity to properly manage the movement of the raft and to keep it from being an obstruction to other craft navigating the river, or from forming jams at bridges.
(f) Rafts in transit must be so floated, and when not in transit be so tied to the bank, as not to interfere with the passage of boats.
(g) When rafts are left with no one in attendance they must be securely tied at each end and at as many intermediate points as will prevent them from bagging into the stream. When left at night a white light shall be exposed at each end of the raft.
(h) This section shall apply to the portion of the Tallahatchie River, Miss., between Batesville, Panola County, Miss., and the mouth.
§ 207.275 - McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River navigation system: use, administration, and navigation.
(a) Applicability of regulations. These regulations apply to all locks and appurtenant structures, wharves, and other Corps of Engineers structures in the following waterways: The White River between Mississippi River and Arkansas Post Canal, Arkansas; Arkansas Post Canal, Arkansas; Arkansas River between Dam No. 2, Arkansas, and Verdigris River, Oklahoma; Verdigris River between Arkansas River and Catoosa, Oklahoma; and reservoirs on these waterways between Mississippi River, Arkansas, and Catoosa, Oklahoma.
(b) Authority of district engineers. The use, administration, and navigation of the structures to which this section applies shall be under the direction of the officers of the Army Corps of Engineers, detailed in charge of the respective districts, and their authorized assistants. The cities in which these district engineers are located, and the limits of their jurisdictions, are as follows:
(1) District Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer District, Little Rock, Arkansas. From Mississippi River, Arkansas, to Arkansas-Oklahoma State line at Fort Smith, Arkansas.
(2) District Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer District, Tulsa, Oklahoma. From Arkansas-Oklahoma State line at Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Catoosa, Oklahoma.
(c) Authority of lockmasters. The lockmaster shall be charge with the immediate control and management of the lock and of the area set aside as the lock area. The lockmaster shall ensure that all laws, rules, and regulations for the use of the lock and lock area are duly complied with, to which end he/she is authorized to give all necessary orders and directions both to employees of the Government and to any person within the limits of the lock area, whether navigating the lock or not. No one shall cause any movement of any vessel or other floating thing in the lock area except by or under the direction of the lockmaster. Failure to comply with directions given by the lockmaster pursuant to the regulations in this section may result in refusal of lockage. For the purpose of the regulations in this section, the “lock area” is considered to be between the upstream and downstream arrival points. The district engineer may extend the limits of the lock area consistent with the safe and efficient use of the waterway.
(d) Precedence at locks. (1) Precedence shall be given to vessels owned by the United States, licensed commercial passenger vessels operating on a published schedule or regularly operating in the “for hire” trade, commercial tows, rafts, and pleasure craft, in the order named. Precedence being equal, the first vessel to arrive at a lock will normally be the first to lock through; however, the lockmaster may depart from this procedure to achieve optimum utilization of the lock or in accordance with the order of precedence stated above and in paragraphs (d)(2) and (h) of this section. Arrival points have been established ashore upstream and downstream of the locks. Vessels arriving at these markers or the mooring cells immediately upstream and downstream of the lock will be considered as having arrived at the lock within the meaning of this subparagraph.
(2) Vessels or tows, with overall dimensions greater than 105 feet wide or 595 feet long may transit the lock at such time as the lockmaster determines that they will neither unduly delay the transit of craft of lesser dimensions, nor endanger the lock structure and appurtenances because of wind, current, or other adverse conditions. These craft are also subject to such special handling requirements as the lockmaster deems necessary at the time of transit.
(e) Safety rules for vessels using navigation locks. (1) Leaking vessels may be excluded from the locks.
(2) Smoking, open flames, and activities capable of producing a flammable atmosphere such as painting will not be permitted in the lock chamber.
(3) All deckhands handling lines during locking procedures shall wear a personal flotation device.
(f) Dangerous cargo barges. The following rules are prescribed for all tows containing dangerous cargoes as defined in Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations. These rules are applicable to both loaded barges and empty barges.
(1) All hatches on barges used to transport dangerous cargoes shall be closed before the tow enters the lock area.
(2) Prior to entering the lock area, towboat pilots shall furnish the name of product, the source of shipment, the company which made the shipment, and the consignee. If a towboat is not equipped with a radio or its radio is out of service, pilots shall furnish this information to the lockmaster while the tow is in the lock chamber. The shipping papers required by title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, shall be available for review by the lockmaster. Lockage shall be refused when this information is not furnished to the lockmaster.
(3) Fenders shall be water-soaked or otherwise spark proofed.
(4) Smoking, open flames, chipping, or other spark producing activity are prohibited in the “lock area.”
(5) Simultaneous lockage of other vessels with vessels carrying dangerous cargoes or containing flammable vapors shall normally not be permitted. if significant delays are occurring at a lock, such simultaneous lockages, except with pleasure craft, may be permitted by the lockmaster, when he/she determines such action safe and appropriate, provided:
(i) The first vessel entering or the last vessel exiting shall be secured before the other enters or leaves.
(ii) All masters involved have agreed to the joint use of the lock.
(g) General locking procedures. (1) In case two or more boats or tows are to enter for the same lockage, their order of entry and exit shall be determined by the lockmaster.
(2) Tows entering a lock shall come to a complete stop at a point designated by the district engineer before proceeding to the mooring position.
(3) When entering or exiting locks, tow speeds shall not exceed 200 feet per minute (rate of slow walk) or the rate of travel whereby the tow can be stopped by checking should mechanical difficulties develop. When navigating over Norrell Dam during high water, vessels shall reduce speed to the minimum necessary to maintain steerageway. Pilots should check with the individual lockmasters concerning prevailing conditions. It is also recommended that pilots check their ability to reverse their engines prior to beginning an approach. Towboat engines shall not be turned off in the lock unless authorized by lockmaster.
(4) The sides and ends of all vessels passing through any lock shall be free from protrusions of any kind which might damage the lock structure.
(5) All vessels shall be provided with suitable fenders. When entering and exiting locks, one deckhand, or more if the lockmaster so directs, shall be stationed at the bow and stern of tows. These deckhands shall maintain their stations while tows are moving adjacent to any part of a lock. They shall protect the lock walls by the use of hand-held fenders. In all cases, two deckhands shall be stationed at the bows of tows 100 feet wide or wider when entering locks. They shall remain at their stations until the bows of such tows pass the recessed miter gates.
(6) Masters and pilots must use every precaution to prevent unnecessary delay in entering or leaving locks. Vessels failing to enter locks with reasonable promptness when signaled to do so shall lose their turn. Rearranging or switching of barges in the locks or in approaches is prohibited unless approved or directed by the lockmaster.
(7) No vessel shall enter a lock unless its draft is at least two feet less than the least depth of water over the sills. Information concerning controlling depth over sills can be obtained from the lockmaster at each lock or by inquiry at the office of the district engineer of the district in which the lock is located.
(8) Vessels awaiting their turn to lock shall be positioned so that they will not interfere with vessels leaving the lock. However, to the extent practicable under the prevailing conditions, vessels and tows shall be positioned so as to minimize approach time.
(9) Number of lockages. (i) Tows or rafts locking in sections will generally be allowed only two consecutive lockages if other vessels are waiting lockage, but may be allowed more in special cases. No part of a tow shall pass a lock until the whole of the one preceding it shall have passed. The lockmaster may prescribe a departure from the normal order of precedence to achieve the best lock utilization.
(ii) One deckhand, or more if the lockmaster so directs, shall tend the lines at the bow and stern of each section of a tow that transits a lock or moors to the river walls.
(10) Vessels shall enter and leave locks under such control as to prevent any damage to the walls and gates.
(11) Placing or discharging refuse of any description into the lock, on the lock walls, on the esplanade, or on any other government property is prohibited.
(h) Lockage of pleasure craft. In order to fully utilize the capacity of the lock, lockmasters may expedite the lockage of pleasure craft by locking them through with commercial vessels, except vessels carrying volatile cargoes or other substances likely to emit toxic, flammable, or explosive vapors. If the lockage of pleasure craft cannot be accomplished within the time required for three single lockages, a separate lockage of pleasure craft shall be made. Pleasure craft operators are advised that the locks have a pull chain located at the end of each river wall which signals the lockmaster that lockage is desired.
(i) Locking rafts and floating dredge discharge line. While awaiting lockage, rafts and tows containing floating dredge discharge line shall not obstruct the lock approaches. They shall be properly and securely assembled to assure adequate control while entering and exiting locks. The passage of loose logs through a lock is prohibited. Lockage will be refused to rafts unless the logs float sufficiently high to make it evident that the raft will not sink.
(j) Mooring—(1) At locks. (i) When in the locks, all vessels shall be moored as directed by the lockmaster. Vessels shall be moored with bow and stern lines leading in opposite directions to prevent the vessel from “running” in the lock. All vessels will have one additional line available on the head of the tow for emergency use. The pilot of a vessel shall remain at his station in the pilot house and the deckhands shall stand by the mooring lines during the entire locking procedure. When the vessel is securely moored, the pilot shall not cause movement of the propeller except in an emergency or unless directed by the lockmaster. Tying to lock ladders is strictly prohibited.
(ii) Mooring of any vessel will not be permitted at or between the arrival points without permission of the lockmaster.
(2) Outside of locks. (i) Vessels over 40 feet in length shall not land or anchor against revetted banks without written permission of the district engineer, except in case of emergency. When an emergency landing is necessary, adjacent locks shall be notified. In all cases, every precaution to avoid damage to the revetment works shall be exercised. The construction of log rafts along mattressed or paved banks or the tying up and landing of log rafts against such banks require the permission of the district engineer.
(ii) Government mooring facilities at the junction of main stem and secondary channels are to provide temporary mooring for tows awaiting transfer of barges to or from ports, docks, or fleeting areas located on the secondary channels. These facilities shall not be used for storage of barges or fleeting activities. The maximum permissible time of mooring at the facilities shall be determined by the district engineer.
(k) Locking signals. Vessels must approach the locks with caution and not enter or leave the locks until signaled to do so by the lockmaster.
(1) Signal by radio. Requests for lockage by radio will be the primary signal for vessels equipped with VHF-FM radios operating in the FCC authorized Maritime Band. District engineers will advise all known interested parties of the channels available for use in communicating with the locks. Pilots of commercial tows should contact the locks at least one-half hour before arrival in order that they may be informed of current river and traffic conditions that may affect the safe passage of their tows.
(2) Sound signals. In addition to radio communication, the following sound signals are prescribed for use during lockage. Sound signals given by vessels and locks shall be given by means of a horn. The term prolonged blast means a blast of from four to six second's duration. The term short blast means a blast of about one second's duration.
(i) Vessels desiring a single lockage shall give notice to the lockmaster by one prolonged blast of the horn followed by one short blast. If a double lockage is required, vessels shall give one prolonged blast of the horn followed by two short blasts. These signals are not required from pleasure craft not equipped with horns. Locking procedures for pleasure craft are prescribed in paragraph (h).
(ii) When the lock is ready for entrance, the lockmaster shall give one prolonged blast of the horn to signal permission to enter the lock chamber.
(iii) The lockmaster shall give permission to leave the lock chamber by one short blast of the horn.
(iv) Five or more short and rapid blasts of the lock horn will be used as a means of attracting attention, to indicate caution, or to signal danger. This signal will be used to attract the attention of the masters and crews of vessels using the lock or navigating in the lock area and to indicate that something unusual involving danger or requiring special caution is happening or is about to happen. When this signal is given by the lockmaster, the masters and crews of vessels in the vicinity shall immediately become alert to determine the reason for the signal and shall take the necessary steps to cope with the situation.
(3) Visual signals. Signal lights are displayed outside each lock gate to supplement the radio and sound signals. Vessels will be governed as follows:
(i) One flashing green light to indicate that the lock is open to approaching navigation.
(ii) One flashing red light to indicate that the lock is not open to approaching navigation. Vessels shall stand clear.
(iii) Flashing amber and green lights to indicate that one or both lock gates can not be fully recessed or other unusual conditions exist. Vessels can enter the lock with caution.
(iv) In the absence of any of the above visual signals, pilots shall signal for lockage by radio or horn and wait for the lockmaster to acknowledge their signal.
(l) Navigation lights on locks and dams. (1) The following navigation lights will be displayed at all locks except Norrell Lock and Lock No. 2 during hours of darkness and heavy fog.
(i) Three green lights visible through an arc of 360 degrees arranged in a vertical line on the end of the upstream river wall.
(ii) Two green lights visible through an arc of 360 degrees arranged in a vertical line on the end of the downstream river wall.
(iii) A single red light visible through an arc of 360 degrees on the ends of the upstream and downstream land walls.
(2) The following navigation lights will be displayed at Lock No. 2 during hours of darkness and heavy fog. They shall also be displayed at Norrell Lock during hours of darkness and heavy fog except when navigation is passing over the dam.
(i) Three green lights visible through an arc of 360 degrees arranged in a vertical line on the end of the upstream river wall.
(ii) Two green lights visible through an arc of 360 degrees arranged in a vertical line on the end of the downstream river wall.
(iii) A single red light visible through an arc of 360 degrees on the dolphin located furthest upstream in line with the land wall and on the dolphin located furthest downstream in line with the land wall.
(3) The following navigation lights will be displayed at Norrell Lock and Dam during hours of darkness and heavy fog when navigation is passing over the dam. During daylight hours a yellow and black disc will be displayed on each end (upstream and downstream) of the river wall to signal navigation over the dam.
(i) Three red lights visible through an arc of 360 degrees arranged in a vertical line on the end of the upstream river wall.
(ii) Two red lights visible through an arc of 360 degrees arranged in a vertical line on the end of the downstream river wall.
(iii) A single red light visible through an arc of 360 degrees on the dolphin located furthest upstream in line with the land wall and on the dolphin located furthest downstream in line with the land wall.
(iv) A single, flashing blue light visible through an arc of 360 degrees located on the end of the dam opposite the lock.
(m) Restricted areas at locks and dams. All waters immediately above and below each dam, as posted by the respective district engineers, are hereby designated as restricted areas. No vessel or other floating craft shall enter any such restricted area without permission of the lockmaster. The limits of the restricted areas at each dam will be determined by the responsible district engineer and marked by signs installed in conspicuous and appropriate locations.
(n) Trespass on lock and dam property. (1) Trespass on locks or dams or other United States property pertaining to the locks or dams is strictly prohibited except in those areas specifically permitted by the lockmaster. Any person committing a willful injury to any United States property or personnel will be prosecuted.
(2) No fishing will be permitted from the lock or dam structures.
(3) No one but employees of the United States shall move any lock machinery unless directed by the lockmaster. Tampering or meddling with the machinery or other parts of the lock is strictly forbidden.
(o) Repair and construction of navigation structures. To avoid damage to plant and structures connected with the construction or repair of locks and dams, vessels passing structures in the process of construction or repair shall reduce their speed and navigate with special caution while in the vicinity of such work.
(p) Reporting the navigation incidents. In furtherance of maintaining navigation safety the following rules are prescribed for all navigation interests:
(1) Any incident resulting in uncontrolled barges shall immediately be reported to the nearest lock and the appropriate U.S. Coast Guard Office. The report shall include information as to the number of loose barges, their cargo, and the time and location where they broke loose. The lockmaster shall be kept informed of the progress being made in bringing the barges under control so that he/she can initiate whatever actions may be warranted.
(2) Masters, owners, or other persons using the waterways to which the regulations in this section apply shall report to the nearest lockmaster or the district engineer by the most expeditious means available all marine accidents; such as fire, collision, sinking, or grounding, where there is possible obstruction of the channel or interference with navigation; furnishing a clear statement as to the name, address, and ownership of the vessel or vessels involved; the time and place; and the action taken. In all cases, the owner of a sunken vessel shall take immediate steps to mark the wreck properly.
(i) Sunken or sinking barges shall be reported to the nearest lock both downstream and upstream of the location in order that traffic passing those points may be advised of the hazards. The appropriate U.S. Coast Guard Office shall also be notified.
(ii) Whenever it is necessary to report an incident involving uncontrolled, sunken or sinking barges, the cargo in the barges shall be precisely identified.
(iii) The owners or masters of vessels sunk in the navigable waters of the United States shall provide the appropriate district engineer with a copy of the sunken vessel report furnished to the appropriate U.S. Coast Guard Marine Inspection Office.
(q) [Reserved]
(r) Liability for damage. This section shall not affect the liability of the owners and operators of vessels for any damage caused by their operations. Should any Government property be damaged as the result of the operation of a vessel, the master of the vessel shall report the accident to the nearest lockmaster or the appropriate district engineer.
(s) Persistent violation of regulations. If the owner or operator of any vessel persistently violates the regulations of this section or any orders given in pursuance thereof, after due notice of same, lockage may be refused by the district engineer. The lockmaster may refuse lockage if deemed necessary to protect government property in the vicinity of the lock.
(t) Vessels to carry regulations. A copy of these regulations shall be kept at all times on board each commercial vessel engaged in navigating the waterway. Copies may be obtained from any lock or district engineer's office on request. Masters of such vessels are also required to have on board current copies of the navigation charts and applicable Notices to Navigation Interest.
§ 207.300 - Ohio River, Mississippi River above Cairo, Ill., and their tributaries; use, administration, and navigation.
(a) Authority of lockmasters—(1) Locks staffed with Government personnel. The provisions of this paragraph apply to all waterways in this section except for Cordell Hull Lock located at Mile 313.5 on the Cumberland River in Tennessee. The lockmaster shall be charged with the immediate control and management of the lock, and of the area set aside as the lock area, including the lock approach channels. He/she shall see that all laws, rules, and regulations for the use of the lock and lock area are duly complied with, to which end he/she is authorized to give all necessary orders and directions in accordance therewith, both to employees of the government and to any and every person within the limits of the lock and lock area, whether navigating the lock or not. No one shall cause any movement of any vessel, boat, or other floating thing in the lock or approaches except by or under the direction of the lockmaster or his/her assistants. In the event of an emergency, the lockmaster may depart from these regulations as he deems necessary. The lockmasters shall also be charged with the control and management of federally constructed mooring facilities.
(2) Locks staffed with contract personnel. The provisions of this paragraph apply to Cordell Hull Lock located at Mile 313.5 on the Cumberland River in Tennessee. Contract personnel shall give all necessary orders and directions for operation of the lock. No one shall cause any movement of any vessel, boat or other floating thing in the locks or approaches except by or under the direction of the contract lock operator. All duties and responsibilities of the lockmaster set forth in this section shall be performed by the contract lock operator except that responsibility for enforcing all laws, rules, and regulations shall be vested in a government employee designated by the Nashville District Engineer. The district engineer will notify waterway users and the general public through appropriate notices and media concerning the location and identity of the designated government employee.
(b) Safety rules for vessels using navigation locks. The following safety rules are hereby prescribed for vessels in the locking process, including the act of approaching or departing a lock:
(1) Tows with flammable or hazardous cargo barges, loaded or empty. (i) Stripping barges or transferring cargo is prohibited.
(ii) All hatches on barges used to transport flammable or hazardous materials shall be closed and latched, except those barges carrying a gas-free certificate.
(iii) Spark-proof protective rubbing fenders (“possums”) shall be used.
(2) All vessels. (i) Leaking vessels may be excluded from locks until they have been repaired to the satisfaction of the lockmaster.
(ii) Smoking, open flames, and chipping or other spark-producing activities are prohibited on deck during the locking cycle.
(iii) Painting will not be permitted in the lock chamber during the locking cycle.
(iv) Tow speeds shall be reduced to a rate of travel such that the tow can be stopped by checking should mechanical difficulties develop. Pilots should check with the individual lockmasters concerning prevailing conditions. It is also recommended that pilots check their ability to reverse their engines prior to beginning an approach. Engines shall not be turned off in the lock until the tow has stopped and been made fast.
(v) U.S. Coast Guard regulations require all vessels to have on board life saving devices for prevention of drowning. All crew members of vessels required to carry work vests (life jackets) shall wear them during a lockage, except those persons in an area enclosed with a handrail or other device which would reasonably preclude the possibility of falling overboard. All deckhands handling lines during locking procedure shall wear a life jacket. Vessels not required by Coast Guard regulations to have work vests aboard shall have at least the prescribed life saving devices, located for ready access and use if needed. The lockmaster may refuse lockage to any vessel which fails to conform to the above.
(c) Reporting of navigation incidents. In furtherance of increased safety on waterways the following safety rules are hereby prescribed for all navigation interests:
(1) Any incident resulting in uncontrolled barges shall immediately be reported to the nearest lock. The report shall include information as to the number of loose barges, their cargo, and the time and location where they broke loose. The lockmaster or locks shall be kept informed of the progress being made in bringing the barges under control so that he can initiate whatever actions may be warranted.
(2) Whenever barges are temporarily moored at other than commercial terminals or established fleeting areas, and their breaking away could endanger a lock, the nearest lock shall be so notified, preferably the downstream lock.
(3) Sunken or sinking barges shall be reported to the nearest lock both downstream and upstream of the location in order that other traffic passing those points may be advised of the hazards.
(4) In the event of an oil spill, notify the nearest lock downstream, specifying the time and location of the incident, type of oil, amount of spill, and what recovery or controlling measures are being employed.
(5) Any other activity on the waterways that could conceivably endanger navigation or a navigation structure shall be reported to the nearest lock.
(6) Whenever it is necessary to report an incident involving uncontrolled, sunken or sinking barges, the cargo in the barges shall be accurately identified.
(d) Precedence at locks. (1) The vessel arriving first at a lock shall normally be first to lock through, but precedence shall be given to vessels belonging to the United States. Licensed commercial passenger vessels operating on a published schedule or regularly operating in the “for hire” trade shall have precedence over cargo tows and like craft. Commercial cargo tows shall have precedence over recreational craft, except as described in paragraph (f) of this section.
(2) Arrival posts or markers may be established ashore above and/or below the locks. Vessels arriving at or opposite such posts or markers will be considered as having arrived at the locks within the meaning of this paragraph. Precedence may be established visually or by radio communication. The lockmaster may prescribe such departure from the normal order of precedence as in his judgment is warranted to achieve best lock utilization.
(e) Unnecessary delay at locks. Masters and pilots must use every precaution to prevent unnecessary delay in entering or leaving locks. Vessels failing to enter locks with reasonable promptness when signalled to do so shall lose their turn. Rearranging or switching of barges in the locks or in approaches is prohibited unless approved or directed by the lockmaster. This is not meant to curtail “jackknifing” or set-overs where normally practiced.
(f) Lockage of recreational craft. In order to fully utilize the capacity of the lock, the lockage of recreational craft shall be expedited by locking them through with commercial craft: Provided, That both parties agree to joint use of the chamber. When recreational craft are locked simultaneously with commercial tows, the lockmaster will direct, whenever practicable, that the recreational craft enter the lock and depart while the tow is secured in the lock. Recreational craft will not be locked through with vessels carrying volatile cargoes or other substances likely to emit toxic or explosive vapors. If the lockage of recreational craft cannot be accomplished within the time required for three other lockages, a separate lockage of recreational craft shall be made. Recreational craft operators are advised that many locks have a pull chain located at each end of the lock which signals the lockmaster that lockage is desired. Furthermore, many Mississippi River locks utilize a strobe light at the lock to signal recreational type vessels that the lock is ready for entry. Such lights are used exclusively to signal recreational craft.
(g) Simultaneous lockage of tows with dangerous cargoes. Simultaneous lockage of other tows with tows carrying dangerous cargoes or containing flammable vapors normally will only be permitted when there is agreement between the lockmaster and both vessel masters that the simultaneous lockage can be executed safely. He shall make a separate decision each time such action seems safe and appropriate, provided:
(1) The first vessel or tow in and the last vessel or tow out are secured before the other enters or leaves.
(2) Any vessel or tow carrying dangerous cargoes is not leaking.
(3) All masters involved have agreed to the joint use of the lock chamber.
(h) Stations while awaiting a lockage. Vessels awaiting their turn to lock shall remain sufficiently clear of the structure to allow unobstructed departure for the vessel leaving the lock. However, to the extent practicable under the prevailing conditions, vessels and tows shall position themselves so as to minimize approach time when signaled to do so.
(i) Stations while awaiting access through navigable pass. When navigable dams are up or are in the process of being raised or lowered, vessels desiring to use the pass shall wait outside the limits of the approach points unless authorized otherwise by the lockmaster.
(j) Signals. Signals from vessels shall ordinarily be by whistle; signals from locks to vessels shall be by whistle, another sound device, or visual means. when a whistle is used, long blasts of the whistle shall not exceed 10 seconds and short blasts of the whistle shall not exceed 3 seconds. Where a lock is not provided with a sound or visual signal installation, the lockmaster will indicate by voice or by the wave of a hand when the vessel may enter or leave the lock. Vessels must approach the locks with caution and shall not enter nor leave the lock until signaled to do so by the lockmaster. The following lockage signals are prescribed:
(1) Sound signals by means of a whistle. These signals apply at either a single lock or twin locks.
(i) Vessels desiring lockage shall on approaching a lock give the following signals at a distance of not more than one mile from the lock;
(a) If a single lockage only is required: One long blast of the whistle followed by one short blast.
(b) If a double lockage is required: One long blast of the whistle followed by two short blasts.
(ii) When the lock is ready for entrance, the lock will give the following signals:
(a) One long blast of the whistle indicates permission to enter the lock chamber in the case of a single lock or to enter the landward chamber in the case of twin locks.
(b) Two long blasts of the whistle indicates permission to enter the riverward chamber in the case of twin locks.
(iii) Permission to leave the locks will be indicated by the following signals given by the lock:
(a) One short blast of the whistle indicates permission to leave the lock chamber in the case of a single lock or to leave the landward chamber in the case of twin locks.
(b) Two short blasts of the whistle indicates permission to leave the riverward chamber in the case of twin locks.
(iv) Four or more short blasts of the lock whistle delivered in rapid succession will be used as a means of attracting attention, to indicate caution, and to signal danger. This signal will be used to attract the attention of the captain and crews of vessels using or approaching the lock or navigating in its vicinity and to indicate that something unusual involving danger or requiring special caution is happening or is about to take place. When this signal is given by the lock, the captains and crews of vessels in the vicinity shall immediately become on the alert to determine the reason for the signal and shall take the necessary steps to cope with the situation.
(2) Lock signal lights. At locks where density of traffic or other local conditions make it advisable, the sound signals from the lock will be supplemented by signal lights. Flashing lights (showing a one-second flash followed by a two-second eclipse) will be located on or near each end of the land wall to control use of a single lock or of the landward lock of double locks. In addition, at double locks, interrupted flashing lights (showing a one-second flash, a one-second eclipse and a one-second flash, followed by a three-second eclipse) will be located on or near each end of the intermediate wall to control use of the riverward lock. Navigation will be governed as follows:
(i) Red light. Lock cannot be made ready immediately. Vessel shall stand clear.
(ii) Amber light. Lock is being made ready. Vessel may approach but under full control.
(iii) Green light. Lock is ready for entrance.
(iv) Green and amber. Lock is ready for entrance but gates cannot be recessed completely. Vessel may enter under full control and with extreme caution.
(3) Radio communications. VHF-FM radios, operating in the FCC authorized Maritime Band, have been installed at all operational locks (except those on the Kentucky River and Lock 3, Green River). Radio contact may be made by any vessel desiring passage. Commercial tows are especially requested to make contact at least one half hour before arrival in order that the pilot may be informed of current river and traffic conditions that may affect the safe passage of his tow.
(4) All locks monitor 156.8 MHz (Ch. 16) and 156.65 MHz (Ch. 13) and can work 156.65 MHz (Ch. 13) and 156.7 MHz (Ch. 14) Ch. 16 is the authorized call, reply and distress frequency, and locks are not permitted to work on this frequency except in an emergency involving the risk of immediate loss of life or property. Vessels may call and work Ch. 13, without switching, but are cautioned that vessel to lock traffic must not interrupt or delay Bridge to Bridge traffic which has priority at all times.
(k) Rafts. Rafts to be locked through shall be moored in such manner as not to obstruct the entrance of the lock, and if to be locked in sections, shall be brought to the lock as directed by the lockmaster. After passing the lock the sections shall be reassembled at such distance beyond the lock as not to interfere with other vessels.
(l) Entrance to and exit from locks. In case two or more boats or tows are to enter for the same lockage, their order of entry shall be determined by the lockmaster. Except as directed by the lockmaster, no boat shall pass another in the lock. In no case will boats be permitted to enter or leave the locks until directed to do so by the lockmaster. The sides of all craft passing through any lock shall be free from projections of any kind which might injure the lock walls. All vessels shall be provided with suitable fenders, and shall be used to protect the lock and guide walls until it has cleared the lock and guide walls.
(m) Mooring—(1) At locks. (i) All vessels when in the locks shall be moored as directed by the lockmaster. Vessels shall be moored with bow and stern lines leading in opposite directions to prevent the vessel from “running” in the lock. All vessels will have one additional line available on the head of the tow for emergency use. The pilothouse shall be attended by qualified personnel during the entire locking procedure. When the vessel is securely moored, the pilot shall not cause movement of the propellers except in emergency or unless directed by the lockmaster. Tying to lock ladders is strictly prohibited.
(ii) Mooring of unattended or nonpropelled vessels or small craft at the upper or lower channel approaches will not be permitted within 1200 feet of the lock.
(2) Outside of locks. (i) No vessel or other craft shall regularly or permanently moor in any reach of a navigation channel. The approximate centerline of such channels are marked as the sailing line on Corps of Engineers' navigation charts. Nor shall any floating craft, except in an emergency, moor in any narrow or hazardous section of the waterway. Furthermore, all vessels or other craft are prohibited from regularly or permanently mooring in any section of navigable waterways which are congested with commercial facilities or traffic unless it is moored at facilities approved by the Secretary of the Army or his authorized representative. The limits of the congested areas shall be marked on Corps of Engineers' navigation charts. However, the District Engineer may authorize in writing exceptions to any of the above if, in his judgment, such mooring would not adversely affect navigation and anchorage.
(ii) No vessel or other craft shall be moored to railroad tracks, to riverbanks in the vicinity of railroad tracks when such mooring threatens the safety of equipment using such tracks, to telephone poles or power poles, or to bridges or similar structures used by the public.
(iii) Except in case of great emergency, no vessel or craft shall anchor over revetted banks of the river, and no floating plant other than launches and similar small craft shall land against banks protected by revetment except at regular commercial landings. In all cases, every precaution to avoid damage to the revetment works shall be exercised. The construction of log rafts along mattressed or paved banks or the tying up and landing of log rafts against such banks shall be performed in such a manner as to cause no damage to the mattress work or bank paving. Generally, mattress work extends out into the river 600 feet from the low water line.
(iv) Any vessel utilizing a federally constructed mooring facility (e.g., cells, buoys, anchor rings) at the points designated on the current issue of the Corps' navigation charts shall advise the lockmaster at the nearest lock from that point by the most expeditious means.
(n) Draft of vessels. No vessel shall attempt to enter a lock unless its draft is at least three inches less than the least depth of water over the guard sills, or over the gate sills if there be no guard sills. Information concerning controlling depth over sills can be obtained from the lockmaster at each lock or by inquiry at the office of the district engineer of the district in which the lock is located.
(o) Handling machinery. No one but employees of the United States shall move any lock machinery except as directed by the lockmaster. Tampering or meddling with the machinery or other parts of the lock is strictly forbidden.
(p) Refuse in locks. Placing or discharging refuse of any description into the lock, on lock walls or esplanade, canal or canal bank is prohibited.
(q) Damage to locks or other work. To avoid damage to plant and structures connected with the construction or repair of locks and dams, vessels passing structures in the process of construction or repair shall reduce their speed and navigate with special caution while in the vicinity of such work. The restrictions and admonitions contained in these regulations shall not affect the liability of the owners and operators of floating craft for any damage to locks or other structures caused by the operation of such craft.
(r) Trespass of lock property. Trespass on locks or dams or other U.S. property pertaining to the locks or dams is strictly prohibited except in those areas specifically permitted. Parties committing any injury to the locks or dams or to any part thereof will be responsible therefor. Any person committing a willful injury to any U.S. property will be prosecuted. No fishing will be permitted from lock walls, guide walls, or guard walls of any lock or from any dam, except in areas designated and posted by the responsible District Engineer as fishing areas. Personnel from commercial and recreational craft will be allowed on the lock structure for legitimate business reasons; e.g., crew changes, emergency phone calls, etc.
(s) Restricted areas at locks and dams. All waters immediately above and below each dam, as posted by the respective District Engineers, are hereby designated as restricted areas. No vessel or other floating craft shall enter any such restricted area at any time. The limits of the restricted areas at each dam will be determined by the responsible District Engineer and market by signs and/or flashing red lights installed in conspicuous and appropriate places.
(t) [Reserved]
(u) Operations during high water and floods in designated vulnerable areas. Vessels operating on these waters during periods when river stages exceed the level of “ordinary high water,” as designated on Corps of Engineers' navigation charts, shall exercise reasonable care to minimize the effects of their bow waves and propeller washes on river banks; submerged or partially submerged structures or habitations; terrestrial growth such as trees and bushes; and man-made amenities that may be present. Vessels shall operate carefully when passing close to levees and other flood protection works, and shall observe minimum distances from banks which may be prescribed from time to time in Notices to Navigation Interests. Pilots should exercise particular care not to direct propeller wash at river banks, levees, revetments, structures or other appurtenances subject to damage from wave action.
(v) Navigation lights for use at all locks and dams except on the Kentucky River and Lock 3, Green River. (1) At locks at all fixed dams and at locks at all movable dams when the dams are up so that there is no navigable pass through the dam, the following navigation lights will be displayed during hours of darkness:
(i) Three green lights visible through an arc of 360° arranged in a vertical line on the upstream end of the river (guard) wall unless the intermediate wall extends farther upstream. In the latter case, the lights will be placed on the upstream end of the intermediate wall.
(ii) Two green lights visible through an arc of 360° arranged in a vertical line on the downstream end of the river (guard) wall unless the intermediate wall extends farther downstream. In the latter case, the lights will be placed on the downstream end of the intermediate wall.
(iii) A single red light, visible through an arc of 360° on each end (upstream and downstream) of the land (guide) wall.
(2) At movable dams when the dam has been lowered or partly lowered so that there is an unobstructed navigable pass through the dam, the navigation lights indicated in the following paragraphs will be displayed during hours of darkness until lock walls and weir piers are awash.
(i) Three red lights visible through an arc of 360° arranged in a vertical line on the upstream end of the river (guard) wall.
(ii) Two red lights visible through an arc of 360° arranged in a vertical line on the downstream end of the river (guard) wall.
(iii) A single red light visible through an arc of 360° on each end (upstream and downstream) of the land (guide) wall.
(3) After lock walls and weir piers are awash they will be marked as prescribed in paragraph (x) of this section.
(4) If one or more bear traps or weirs are open or partially open, and may cause a set in current conditions at the upper approach to the locks, this fact will be indicated by displaying a white circular disk 5 feet in diameter, on or near the light support on the upstream end of the land (guide) wall during the hours of daylight, and will be indicated during hours of darkness by displaying a white (amber) light vertically under and 5 feet below the red light on the upstream end of the land (guide) wall.
(5) At Locks No. 1 and 2, Green River, when the locks are not in operation because of high river stages, a single red light visible through an arc of 360° will be displayed on each end (upstream and downstream) of the lock river (guard) will at which time the lights referred to above will not be visible.
(w) Navigation lights for use at locks and dams on the Kentucky River and Lock 3, Green River. A single red light visible through an arc of 360° shall be displayed during hours of darkness at each end of the river wall or extending guard structures until these structures are awash.
(x) Buoys at movable dams. (1) Whenever the river (guard) wall of the lock and any portion of the dam are awash, and until covered by a depth of water equal to the project depth, the limits of the navigable pass through the dam will be marked by buoys located at the upstream and downstream ends of the river (guard) wall, and by a single buoy over the end or ends of the portion or portions of the dam adjacent to the navigable pass over which project depth is not available. A red nun-type buoy will be used for such structures located on the left-hand side (facing downstream) of the river and a black can-type buoy for such structures located on the right-hand side. Buoys will be lighted, if practicable.
(2) Where powerhouses or other substantial structures projecting considerably above the level of the lock wall are located on the river (guard) wall, a single red light located on top of one of these structures may be used instead of river wall buoys prescribed above until these structures are awash, after which they will be marked by a buoy of appropriate type and color (red nun or black can buoy) until covered by a depth of water equal to the project depth. Buoys will be lighted, if practicable.
(y) Vessels to carry regulations. A copy of these regulations shall be kept at all times on board each vessel regularly engaged in navigating the rivers to which these regulations apply. Copies may be obtained from any lock office or District Engineer's office on request. Masters of such vessels are encouraged to have on board copies of the current edition of appropriate navigation charts.
1. Muskingum River Lock & Dam 1 has been removed. Ohio River slackwater provides navigable channel for recreational craft to Lock 2 near Devola, Ohio. Muskingum River Locks 2 thru 11 inclusive have been transferred to the State of Ohio and are operated during the recreational boating season by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Inquiries regarding Muskingum River channel conditions and lock availability should be directed to the aforementioned Department.
2. Little Kanawha River Lock and Dam 1 has been removed, thus permitting recreational craft to navigate up to Lock 2 near Slate, W. Va. Operation of Locks 2 thru 5 on the Little Kanawha River has been discontinued.
3. Big Sandy River: Lock 1 has been removed, thus permitting recreational craft to navigate to Lock 2, near Buchanan, Ky. Operation of Lock 2 and Lock 3 near Fort Gay, W. Va. has been discontinued. Operation of Lock and Dam 1 on Levisa Fork near Gallup, Ky., and Lock and Dam 1 on Tug Fork near Chapman, Ky. has been discontinued.
4. Operation of the following Green River Locks has been discontinued: Lock 4 near Woodbury, Ky., Lock 5 near Glenmore, Ky., and Lock 6 near Brownsville, Ky.
5. Operation of Barren River Lock and Dam No. 1 near Richardsville, Ky. has been discontinued.
6. Operation of Rough River Lock and Dam No. 1 near Hartford, Ky. has been discontinued.
7. Operation of Osage River Lock and Dam 1 near Osage City, Mo., has been discontinued.
8. Operation of the 34 locks in the Illinois and Mississippi (Hennepin) Canal, including the feeder section, has been discontinued.
9. Operation of the Illinois and Michigan Canal has been discontinued.
§ 207.306 - Missouri River; administration and navigation.
(a) [Reserved]
(b) General. The regulations in this section shall implement those contained in paragraph(s) of § 207.300.
§ 207.310 - Mississippi River at Keokuk, Iowa; operation of power dam by Mississippi River Power Co.
(a) All previous regulations of the Secretary of War relating to the use of the Mississippi River for the generation of power by the Mississippi River Power Co., including the memorandum of March 24, 1908, approved by the Secretary of War, March 26, 1908, are rescinded, and the following regulations will govern the operation of the dam until further orders:
(b) Excepting as specially provided in this section the normal flow of the river shall be discharged below the dam at all times of day and night.
(c) The Mississippi River Power Co. shall not during the period of navigation raise the level of its pond behind the Keokuk Dam when the natural flow of the Mississippi River is falling or when such natural flow is less than approximately 64,000 cubic feet per second, which corresponds to a normal stage of 6 feet above low water at Keokuk, Iowa, except upon the written permission of the U.S. District Engineer in charge of this locality, such permit to state the period which such ponding may cover and the maximum variation in stage below the dam which may be caused by each ponding.
(d) The granting of permits by the District Engineer shall be governed by the provision of the law authorizing the construction of the dam and its accessories, as follows:
(e) The power company when proposing to raise or lower the pond, either under general authority or special permission, shall give due notice to the District Engineer or his authorized agent of its intention.
(f) The power company shall hold all records relating to operations affecting the river discharge open to the inspection of the District Engineer or his authorized agent.
(g) It shall be the duty of the district engineer or his authorized agent to observe closely and carefully the operations of the power company and to maintain in addition to such as may be maintained by the power company, such river and pool gages as may be advisable, and make from time to time such examinations as may be necessary for determining the effect of the operation of the power dam and accessories on the river channels.
(h) The Department of the Army approves the method of regulating the flow below the Keokuk Dam by estimating the flow 24 hours in advance and maintenance of the stage corresponding to such flow as indicated by the river gage at U.S. Lock (the method employed during 1917). The general rules stated in paragraph (g) of this section are not intended to apply to unavoidable small compensating variations in pond level behind the dam inherent in such method of regulation.
§ 207.320 - Mississippi River, Twin City Locks and Dam, St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minn.; pool level.
In accordance with the provisions of Article 8 of Federal Power Commission License of June 7, 1923 (Project No. 362-Minn., Ford Motor Co.), this section is prescribed for the control of the pool level created by the Twin City Locks and Dam, Minneapolis, in the interest of navigation, and supersedes rules and regulations made effective January 1, 1928, by the Secretary of War:
(a) The pool above the dam shall not be allowed to drop below elevation 744.5 (Cairo datum), except after loss or lowering of flashboards and before replacement or raising of same, during the navigation season; nor below elevation 743.3 during the period when the river is closed to navigation. The variation of pool level shall not exceed 0.5 foot per day whenever the pool is below elevation 745.5, and in addition, during the period when the river is closed to navigation, the maximum rate of such variation shall not exceed 0.1 foot per hour; except that during the navigation season, increases in pool level at rates greater than that specified may be made to eliminate wasting of water during an increase in river flow.
(b) Whenever, due to high flows, the pool above the dam is above elevation 746.5, all flashboards on the crest of the dam shall be removed or in the lowered position.
(c) To protect navigation in cases of emergency, such as the stranding of a boat or the loss of a pool below the Twin City Dam, etc., the licensee shall temporarily discharge water at such rates, subject to the limitations of paragraph (a) of this section, as may be directed by the U.S. District Engineer in charge of the locality.
(d) It shall be the duty of the U.S. District Engineer in charge of the locality to notify the licensee of the periods during which the river shall be considered open to navigation.
(e) It shall be the further duty of the said District Engineer or his authorized agent, by frequent inspections, to determine whether paragraphs (a) to (d) of this section are being observed. In case of noncompliance he shall so notify the licensee and report the facts to the Chief of Engineers.
§ 207.330 - Mississippi River between Winnibigoshish and Pokegama dams, Leech River between outlet of Leech Lake and Mississippi River, and Pokegama reservoir; logging.
(a) Parties engaged in the transportation of loose logs, timbers, and rafts of logs, poles, posts, ties, or pulpwood, on the waters described in this section, shall conduct their operations so as to interfere as little as possible with navigation by steamboats, launches, or other craft, or with the operations of other parties using the waters for purposes similar to their own, and, so far as may be possible, shall prevent the formation of log jams.
(b) In case of the formation of a jam, the owner of the logs, poles, posts, ties, or pulpwood, causing the jam, or the representatives in charge of the drive or tow, shall cause the same to be broken with the least practicable delay.
(c) Steamboats, launches, or other craft desiring to pass through a body of floating logs, poles, or ties shall be given all reasonable and necessary assistance in doing so by the representatives in charge of the logs, poles, posts, ties, or pulpwood causing the obstruction.
(d) Any individual, firm, or corporation banking logs, poles, posts, ties, or pulpwood on the shores or within the banks of any of the waters covered by this section, which are to be transported during the navigation season, shall so place them as to maintain a clear navigable channel width of not less than 20 feet.
(e) Parties using the river for rafted poles, posts, ties, or pulpwood shall not tie rafts up to the bank two or more abreast; shall not tie up where there will be less than 50 feet of clear waterway between their raft and the other bank or between their raft and another tied to the opposite bank; and shall not tie more than three rafts along any bank without leaving an opening for a landing.
§ 207.340 - Reservoirs at headwaters of the Mississippi River; use and administration.
(a) Description. These reservoirs include Winnibigoshish, Leech Lake, Pokegama, Sandy Lake, Pine River and Gull Lake.
(b) Penalties. The River and Harbor Act approved August 11, 1888 (25 Stat. 419, 33 U.S.C. 601) includes the following provisions as to the administration of the headwater reservoirs:
And it shall be the duty of the Secretary of War to prescribe such rules and regulations in respect to the use and administration of said reservoirs as, in his judgment, the public interest and necessity may require; which rules and regulations shall be posted in some conspicuous place or places for the information of the public. And any person knowingly and willfully violating such rules and regulations shall be liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or imprisonment not exceeding six months, the same to be enforced by prosecution in any district court of the United States within whose territorial jurisdiction such offense may have been committed.
(c) Previous regulations now revoked. In accordance with the above act, the Secretary of War prescribed regulations for the use and administration of the reservoirs at the headwaters of the Mississippi River under date of February 11, 1931, which together with all subsequent amendments are hereby revoked and the following substituted therefor.
(d) Authority of officer in charge of the reservoirs. The accumulation of water in, and discharge of water from the reservoirs, including that from one reservoir to another, shall be under the direction of the U.S. District Engineer, St. Paul, Minnesota, and of his authorized agents subject to the following restrictions and considerations:
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the discharge from any reservoir may be varied at any time as required to permit inspection of, or repairs to, the dams, dikes or their appurtenances, or to prevent damage to lands or structures above or below the dams.
(2) During the season of navigation on the upper Mississippi River, the volume of water discharged from the reservoirs shall be so regulated by the officer in charge as to maintain as nearly as practicable, until navigation closes, a sufficient stage of water in the navigable reaches of the upper Mississippi and in those of any tributary thereto that may be navigated and on which a reservoir is located.
(e) Passage of logs and other floating bodies. Logs and other floating bodies may be sluiced or locked through the dams, but prior authority for the sluicing of logs must be obtained from the District Engineer when this operation necessitates a material change in discharge.
(f) Obstructions to flow of water. No person shall place floating bodies in a stream or pond above or below a reservoir dam when, in the opinion of the officer in charge, such act would prevent the necessary flow of water to or from such dam, or in any way injure the dam and its appurtenances, its dikes and embankments; and should floating bodies lying above or below a dam constitute at any time an obstruction or menace as beforesaid, the owners of said floating bodies will be required to remove them immediately.
(g) Trespass. No one shall trespass on any reservoir dam, dike, embankment or upon any property pertaining thereto.
§ 207.350 - St. Croix River, Wis. and Minn.
(a) Logging regulations for river above Lake St. Croix. (1) During the season of navigation from May 1 to September 30, the full natural run of water in the river shall be permitted to flow between 1 a.m. on Thursday and 4 p.m. on Sunday of each week, and during the time between 1 p.m. on Wednesday and 4 p.m. on Sunday of each week no logs shall be sluiced into the river between St. Croix Falls, Wis., and Stillwater, Minn.
(2) Except during the period above mentioned, the parties engaged in handling logs upon the river shall have the right to sluice, drive, and float loose logs and to regulate the flow of water in the river as may best suit their convenience, all reasonable caution being taken to avoid log jams.
(3) This paragraph shall remain in force until modified or rescinded. (Act of May 9, 1900, 31 Stat. 172; 33 U.S.C. 410)
(b) Power dam at Taylors Falls. (1) That between April 1 and October 31, whenever the natural river flow exceeds 1,600 feet per second, the reduced flow shall be not less than 1,600 feet per second, and that whenever the natural flow be less than 1,600 feet per second, then the reduced flow shall not be less than such natural flow: Provided, That the District Engineer in charge of the locality may vary these requirements temporarily, as the interests of navigation, in his judgment, require, prompt report of his action in such instances to be made to the Chief of Engineers.
(2) The Northern States Power Co. shall establish automatic water-stage recorders of a type approved by the district engineer at the following localities:
(i) On the Nevers Pond near the dam.
(ii) On the St. Croix hydroplant pond near the dam.
(iii) On the St. Croix hydroplant tailrace.
(iv) On the St. Croix River near Osceola.
(v) On the St. Croix River near Marine.
(3) The gages are to be installed and maintained by the Northern States Power Co. in a manner satisfactory to the District Engineer, but their operation and inspection is to be under the sole direction of the District Engineer, who will retain the original records, furnishing the Northern States Power Co. with duplicates of the gage records.
§ 207.360 - Rainy River, Minn.; logging regulations for portions of river within jurisdiction of the United States.
(a) During the season of navigation, parties engaged in handling logs upon such portion of the river shall have the right to sluice, drive, and float logs in such manner as may best suit their convenience: Provided, A sufficient channel for safe navigation by boats is maintained between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. from the opening of navigation to September 15th; between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. from September 16th to October 31st; and between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. from November 1st to the close of navigation.
(b) Owners of loose logs running in the river must maintain a sufficient force of men on the river to keep the logs in motion and to prevent the formation of log jams or accumulation of logs on the several rapids; and said log owners must also construct and maintain for the control and direction of floating logs, such guide booms on said rapids and at other points on said river, as may be considered necessary by the District Engineer in charge of the District.
(c) Owners of sack and brail rafts must so handle the same as not to interfere with the general navigation of the river or with the approaches to regular boat landings.
§ 207.370 - Big Fork River, Minn.; logging.
(a) During the season of navigation, parties engaged in handling logs upon the river shall have the right to sluice, drive, and float logs in such manner as may best suit their convenience: Provided, A sufficient channel is maintained at all times for the navigation of steamboats, flatboats, and other small craft.
(b) A sufficient force of men must accompany each log drive to prevent the formation of log jams and to maintain an open channel for navigation.
(c) This section shall remain in force until modified or rescinded.
§ 207.380 - Red Lake River, Minn.; logging regulations for portion of river above Thief River Falls.
(a) Parties wishing to run logs on Red Lake River must provide storage booms near the head of the river to take care of said logs.
(b) No one will be permitted to turn into the river at any time more logs than he can receive at his storage boom.
(c) Tows arriving at the head of the river shall turn their logs into the river successively in the order of their arrival, and such logs shall be at once driven to the owner's storage boom.
(d) Parties authorized to run logs on the river shall have the use of the river on successive days in rotation to run their logs from their storage boom down, but not more than 1,000,000 feet, board measure, shall be released from the storage booms on any one day. Said parties must provide a sufficient force of log drivers to keep their logs in motion throughout the section of river above mentioned, so as to avoid obstructing the general navigation of the river.
(e) When a drive is made it shall be so conducted that not more than 1,500,000 feet, board measure, of logs shall pass any point on the river in 24 hours. The decision of the agent appointed by the United States shall be final as to the quantity of logs running at any time.
(f) This section shall remain in force until modified or rescinded.
§ 207.420 - Chicago River, Ill.; Sanitary District controlling works, and the use, administration, and navigation of the lock at the mouth of river, Chicago Harbor.
(a) Controlling works. The controlling works shall be so operated that the water level in the Chicago River will be maintained at a level lower than that of the lake, except in times of excessive storm run-off into the river or when the level of the lake is below minus 2 feet, Chicago City Datum.
(1) The elevation to be maintained in the Chicago River at the west end of the lock will be determined from time to time by the U.S. District Engineer, Chicago, Illinois. It shall at no time be higher than minus 0.5 foot, Chicago City Datum, and at no time lower than minus 2.0 feet, Chicago City Datum, except as noted in the preceding paragraph.
(b) Lock—(1) Operation. The lock shall be operated by the Metropolitan Sanitary District of Chicago under the general supervision of the U.S. District Engineer, Chicago, Illinois. The lock gates shall be kept in the closed position at all times except for the passage of navigation.
(2) Description of lock.
Feet | |
---|---|
Clear length | 600 |
Clear width | 80 |
Depth over sills | 1 24.4 |
1 This depth is below Chicago City Datum which is the zero of the gages mounted on the lock. The clear depth below Low Water Datum for Lake Michigan, which is the plane of reference for U. S. Lake Survey Charts, is 23.0 feet.
(3) Authority of lockmasters. The lockmaster shall be charged with the immediate control and management of the lock, and of the area set aside as the lock area, including the lock approach channels. He shall see that all laws, rules and regulations for the use of the lock and lock area are duly complied with, to which end he is authorized to give all necessary orders and directions in accordance therewith, both to employees of the Government and to any and every person within the limits of the lock or lock area, whether navigating the lock or not. No one shall cause any movement of any vessel, boat, or other floating thing in the lock or approaches except by or under the direction of the lockmaster or his assistants.
(4) Signals. (i) Signals from vessels for lockage shall be by whistle, horn or by idling or standing near the ends of the lock guide walls. Signals from the lockmaster shall be by the traffic light and horn and/or by voice with or without electrical amplification. In case of emergency, the lockmaster may signal the vessel by wave of hand or lantern, and the signals thus given shall have the same weight as though given by visual or sound devices at the lock. Vessels must approach the lock with caution and shall not enter or leave the lock until signaled to do so by the lockmaster. The following lockage signals and duration of sound signals are prescribed. A long blast shall be of 4 second duration; a short blast shall be of 1 second duration.
(a) Vessel signals. Inbound vessels at a distance of not more than 4,000 feet from the lock and outbound vessels immediately after crossing under the Lake Shore Drive bridge shall signal for lockage by 2 long and 2 short blasts of a whistle or horn.
(b) Lock signals. (1) When the lock is ready for entrance, the traffic light will show green, and vessels under 500 gross tons shall come ahead under caution and enter the lock; vessels of 500 gross tons or more shall come to a stop along the guide wall, as prescribed in paragraph (b)(5) of this section. Should the traffic light be out of order or be invisible due to thick weather, vessels shall upon 1 long blast of the lock horn approach and moor to the south guide wall or continue into the lock if so directed by the lockmaster.
(2) When the lock is not ready for entrance, the traffic light will show red, and vessels shall not pass beyond the end of the south guide wall: Provided, however, That vessels may approach and moor to said wall if authorized by 1 long blast of the lock horn.
(3) Permission to leave the lock shall be indicated by 1 short blast of the lock horn.
(4) Caution or danger will be indicated by 4 or more flashes of the red traffic light or 4 or more short blasts of the lock horn delivered in rapid succession.
(ii) When in the lock, vessels shall not blow whistle signals for tugs, bridges, landings, etc., without the lockmaster's permission.
(iii) The master and chief engineer of each vessel of 500 gross tons or more shall be on duty at their respective stations when passing through the lock.
(5) Stop before entering. All vessels or tows of 500 gross tons or more shall come to a full stop at the point indicated by the sign reading “Stop” on the south guide wall and shall not proceed into the lock until so directed by the lockmaster.
(6) Maximum draft. Vessels drawing within 6 inches of the depth over the sills shall not be permitted lockage except under special permission from the lockmaster.
(7) Precedence at locks. The vessel arriving first at a lock shall be first to lock through; but precedence shall be given to vessels belonging to the United States and to commercial vessels in the order named. Arrival posts or markers may be established ashore above or below the locks. Vessels arriving at or opposite such posts or markers will be considered as having arrived at the locks within the meaning of this paragraph.
(8) Lockage of pleasure boats. The lockage of pleasure boats, house boats or like craft shall be expedited by locking them through with commercial craft (other than barges carrying petroleum products or highly hazardous materials) in order to utilize the capacity of the lock to its maximum. If, after the arrival of such craft, no separate or combined lockage can be accomplished within a reasonable time, not to exceed the time required for three other lockages, then separate lockage shall be made.
(9) Speed of approach and departure. Vessels of 500 gross tons or more when approaching the lock shall navigate at a speed not exceeding 2 miles per hour, and when leaving the lock shall navigate at a speed not exceeding 6 miles per hour. While entering or leaving the lock, the propellers of vessels of 500 gross tons or more shall be operated at slow speed so as not to undermine or injure the concrete paving on the bottom of the lock chamber. Tugs assisting vessels in lockage, and Coast Guard and fire vessels, may navigate at a higher speed when authorized by the lockmaster. Vessels of less than 500 gross tons shall operate at reasonable speed.
(10) Mooring. (i) Vessels shall be moored in the lock or along its approach walls in such manner as may be directed by the lockmaster. Tying to lock ladders, lamp standards, or railings is strictly prohibited. Commercial vessels and tows of 500 gross tons or more shall, in general, have at least one line out when entering the lock and shall be moored in the lock with two bow and two stern lines, which shall lead forward and aft at each end of the vessel or tow. When the gates are closed, commercial vessels shall not be permitted to work their wheels. Said vessels shall have at least two seamen ashore to handle the mooring lines while they are in the lock.
(ii) Mooring lines shall not be cast off until after the lock gates have been opened fully into their recesses, and the signal given to leave the lock. The lines leading aft shall be released first. The lines leading forward shall not be released until the vessel has started to move forward, so as to prevent the vessel from drifting back into the lock gates.
(11) [Reserved]
(12) Unnecessary delay at lock. Masters and pilots must use every precaution to prevent unnecessary delay in entering of leaving the lock. Vessels failing to enter lock with reasonable promptness, when signaled to do so, shall lose their turn. Vessels arriving at the lock with their tows in such shape so as to impede lockage, shall lose their turn.
(13) Depositing refuse prohibited. The depositing of ashes or refuse matter of any kind in the lock; the passing of coal from barges or flats while in the lock; and the emission of dense smoke from any vessel while passing through the lock, is forbidden.
(14) Vessels denied lockage. The lockmaster may deny the privilege of passage through the lock to any vessel with sharp or rough projecting surfaces of any kind, or overhanging rigging, or any vessel which is badly leaking or in a sinking condition.
(15) Fenders. All barges and oil tankers must be provided with suitable nonmetallic fenders so as to eliminate damage to the lock or approach walls and reduce fire hazard. Said fenders shall be used as may be directed by the lockmaster.
(16) Operating machinery. Lock employees only shall be permitted to operate the lock gates, valves, signals or other appliances. Tampering or meddling with machinery or other parts of the lock is strictly forbidden.
(17) [Reserved]
(18) Vessels to carry regulations. A copy of the regulations in this section shall be kept at all times on board each vessel regularly engaged in navigating this lock. Copies may be obtained without charge from the lockmaster.
(19) Failure to comply with regulations. Any vessel failing to comply with this section or any orders given in pursuance thereof, may in the discretion of the lockmaster be denied the privilege of passage through or other use of the lock or appurtenant structures.
§ 207.425 - Calumet River, Ill.; Thomas J. O'Brien Lock and Controlling Works and the use, administration and navigation of the lock.
(a) Controlling Works. (1) The controlling works shall be so operated that the water level at the downstream end of the lock will be maintained at a level lower than that of Lake Michigan, except in times of excessive storm run-off into the Illinois Waterway, or when the lake level is below minus 2 feet, Chicago City Datum.
(2) The elevation to be maintained at the downstream end of the lock shall at no time be higher than minus 0.5 feet, Chicago City Datum, and at no time lower than minus 2.0 feet, Chicago City Datum, except as noted in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(b) Lock—(1) Operation. The Thomas J. O'Brien Lock and Dam is part of the Illinois Waterway which is a tributary of the Mississippi River. All rules and regulations defined in § 207.300, Ohio River, Mississippi River above Cairo, Illinois, and their tributaries; use, administration and navigation shall apply.
§ 207.440 - St. Marys Falls Canal and Locks, Mich.; use, administration, and navigation.
(a) The use, administration, and navigation of the canal and canal grounds shall be under the direction of the District Engineer, Engineer Department at Large, in charge of the locality, and his authorized agents. The term “canal” shall include all of the natural waters of the St. Marys River on the U.S. side of the International Boundary and all of the canalized waterway and the locks therein between the western or upstream limit, which is a north and south line tangent to the west end of the Northwest Pier, and the eastern or downstream limit, which is a north and south line tangent to the northeast corner of the old Fort Brady Reservation, the distance between limits being 1.9 miles. The term “canal grounds” shall include all of the United States part and other lands, piers, buildings, water level regulation works, hydroelectric power plant, and other appurtenances acquired or constructed for the channel improvement and use of the waterway.
Rules and regulations governing the movements of vessels and rafts in St. Marys River from Point Iroquois, on Lake Superior, to Point Detour, on Lake Huron, prescribed by the U.S. Coast Guard pursuant to 33 U.S.C. 475,are.
(b) Masters of all registered vessels approaching and desiring to use the locks shall, upon arriving at Sailors Encampment, Little Rapids Cut, and Brush Point, report the name of the vessel and its draft to the Coast Guard Lookout Stations at those points.
(c) Approach requirements. Upon approaching the canal, vessel masters shall request lock dispatch by radiotelephone to the Corps of Engineers Chief Lockmaster at St. Marys Falls Canal dispatch tower (Radio Call WUE-21). Every up bound vessel requiring lock transit shall request lock dispatch immediately before initiating the turn at Mission Point at the intersection of Course 1, Bayfield Channel, and Course 2, Little Rapids Cut. Every down bound vessel shall call when approximately one-half mile downstream from Big Point.
(d) When in the locks, vessels shall not blow whistle signals for tugs, supply vessels, or persons unless authorized to do so by the District Engineer or his authorized agents.
(e)(1) Manning requirements. On all vessels of 400 gross tons or over navigating the canal under their own power, the following ship's personnel shall be on duty. In the pilot house, on the bridge, the master. One mate and one able seaman shall be on watch and available to assist; in the engine room, the engineering watch officer. The chief engineer shall be available to assist. During transit of the locks, all vessels of 400 gross tons or over equipped with power operated mooring deck winches shall have, in addition to the winch operators, mates or signalman at the forward and after ends of the vessel to direct operations from points providing maximum vision of both the winch operators and canal linesmen.
(2) Linehandlers—(i) Cargo vessels equipped with bow thrusters and friction winches. Two line handlers from the vessel are required on the piers under normal weather conditions. Lockmasters can ask for three persons under severe weather conditions. If a vessel is experiencing mechanical problems or in extreme severe weather situations, the lockmaster may require four vessel-supplied line handlers on the pier.
(ii) Vessels with non-friction winches or lack of both bow and stern thrusters. Four vessel-supplied line handlers are required on the pier at all times.
(f) Vessel restrictions—(1) Speed limits. Within the limits of the canal, vessels approaching the locks shall not navigate at a speed greater than 2
(2) Use of bow/stern thrusters. Bow and/or stern thruster use shall be kept to a minimum while transiting the Soo Locks. Thrusters shall not be used while the thrusters are opposite lock gates. They may be used sparingly for short durations within the lock to maintain the ship position near the mooring wall or in an emergency. Thrusters shall be at zero thrust during the period the ship is stopped and moored to the wall with all lines out, and during raising and lowering of pool levels within the chamber.
(g) For passage through the canal, vessels or boats owned or operated by the U.S. Government may be given precedence over all others.
(h) Vessel lockage order—(1) Arrival. All registered vessels will be passed through the locks in the order of their arrival at the dispatch point unless otherwise directed by the District Engineer or his authorized agents. When a vessel that has stopped on its own business is ready to proceed, it is not entitled to precedence over other vessels already dispatched.
(2) Departure. The following order of departure procedure will apply to vessels leaving the MacArthur Lock and Poe Lock simultaneously or at approximately the same time:
(i) The first vessel to leave will be the vessel in the lock which is ready for vessel release first. The vessel in the other lock will be restrained by the gates remaining closed and the wire rope fender remaining in the down position.
(A) On down bound passages, the vessel retained shall not leave the lock until such time as the bow of the vessel leaving first reaches the end of the East Center pier.
(B) On up bound passages, the vessel retained shall not leave the lock until such time as the bow of the vessel leaving first reaches the railroad bridge.
(ii) When a 1,000 foot vessel is ready to depart the Poe Lock and a vessel has left the MacArthur Lock already, the 1,000 foot vessel may start to leave once the bow of the other vessel reaches the end of the respective nose pier.
(iii) Vessels will remain in radio contact with each other and with the Chief Lockmaster at all times until clear of the lock area.
(iv) The need for a deviation from the procedures set forth in paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this section will be determined on a case by case basis by the Chief Lockmaster. If two vessels masters agree to a different departure scheme, they both shall notify the Chief Lockmaster and request a change.
(i) Unless otherwise directed, all vessels or boats approaching the locks shall stop at the points indicated by signs placed on the canal piers until ordered by the District Engineer or his authorized agents to proceed into the lock.
(j) Vessels and boats shall not proceed to enter or leave a lock until the lock gates are fully in their recesses and the lockmaster has given directions for starting.
(k) Upon each passage through the canal, the master or clerk of the vessel or craft shall report to the canal office, upon the prescribed form, a statement of passengers, freight, and registered tonnage, and such other statistical information as may be required by the blank forms provided for the purpose.
(l) No business, trading, or loading or landing of freight, baggage, or passengers will be allowed on or over the canal piers or lock walls, or over the other piers within the limits of the canal grounds, except by prior authority of the District Engineer or his authorized agents.
(m) No person shall throw material of any kind into the canal, or litter the grounds with any refuse.
(n) The releasing of vessel steam, water, or waste from side discharge openings upon the piers or lock walls, the cleaning of boiler flues in the locks or canal, or the emission of dense smoke from the stack of any vessel while passing through the locks, is forbidden.
(o) No person shall enter or navigate the canal with a boat or other craft which, when entering or while navigating the canal, shall have an iron or irons projecting from it or a rough surface or surfaces on it which would be liable to damage the lock walls or canal piers.
(p) No person shall cause or permit any vessel or boat of which he is in charge or on which he is employed to in any way obstruct the canal or delay in passing through it, except upon prior authority of the District Engineer or his authorized agents.
(q) No person shall enter upon any part of the canal grounds except as permitted, either generally or in specific instances, by the District Engineer or his authorized agents. No person shall willfully or carelessly injure, tamper with, or damage the canal or any of the Government buildings, works or structures, trees or shrubbery, or other public property pertaining to the canal or canal grounds.
(r) Tug assist procedure—(1) Self-powered vessels. Mariners are advised that often times adverse local weather conditions, i.e., high winds, current conditions and/or inclement weather, exists as vessels approach, enter and/or depart the Soo Locks. These conditions combined with close quarters slow speed maneuvering, particularly with large vessels not equipped with bow or stern thrusters, may cause control difficulties for certain classes of vessels. Therefore, any vessel requesting lockage which in the opinion of the vessel master in consultation with the pilot on board, where applicable may experience severe control problems due to the above conditions, must request assistance by one or more tugs to ensure full control over the vessel at all times. Vessel masters and pilots must consult with the lockmaster concerning local conditions well in advance of arrival at the lock to allow tug assistance to be arranged if necessary. These guidelines apply to all vessels.
(2) Non self-powered vessels. All barges or other vessels navigating within the canal and not operating under their own power, whether approaching or leaving the locks, are required to be assisted by one or more tugs of sufficient power to ensure full control at all times.
(s) Smoking and open flames are prohibited on the canal grounds within 50 feet of any tanker transiting the canal and locks, and on board the tanker transiting the locks except in such places as may be designated in the ship's regulations.
(t) All oil tankers, barges, and other vessels which are used for transporting inflammable liquids, either with or without cargo, shall, if not equipped with fixed timber fenders, be prevented from contacting any unfendered pier, lock wall, or other structure by an adequate number of suitable fenders of timber, rubber, or rope placed between the vessel and such unfendered structure.
(u) The locks will be opened and closed to navigation each year as provided in paragraphs (u) (1) and (2) of this section except as may be authorized by the Division Engineer. Consideration will be given to change in these dates in an emergency involving disaster to a vessel or other extraordinary circumstances.
(1) Opening date. At least one lock will be placed in operation for the passage of vessels on March 25. Thereafter, additional locks will be placed in operation as traffic density demands.
(2) Closing date. The locks will be maintained in operation only for the passage of down bound vessels departing from a Lake Superior port before midnight (2400 hours) of January 14, and of upbound vessels passing Detour before midnight (2400 hours) of January 15. Vessel owners are requested to report in advance to the Engineer in charge at Sault Ste. Marie, the name of vessel and time of departure from a Lake Superior port on January 14 before midnight, and of vessels passing Detour on January 15 before midnight, which may necessitate the continued operation of a lock to permit passage of vessel.
(v) The maximum overall dimensions of vessels that will be permitted to transit MacArthur Lock are 730 feet in length and 75 feet in width, except as provided in paragraph (v)(1) of this section. Further, any vessel of greater length than 600 feet must be equipped with deck winches adequate to safely control the vessel in the lock under all conditions including that of power failure.
(1) Whenever the Poe Lock is out of service for a period exceeding 24 hours the District Engineer may allow vessels greater than 730 feet in length, but not exceeding 767 feet in length to navigate the MacArthur Lock. Masters of vessels exceeding 730 feet in length shall be required to adhere to special handling procedures as prescribed by the District Engineer.
(w) The maximum overall dimensions of vessels that will be permitted to transit the New Poe Lock without special restrictions are 100 feet in width, including fendering, and 1,000 feet in length, including steering poles or other projections. Vessels having overall widths of over 100 feet and not over 105 feet including fendering, and overall lengths of not more than 1,100 feet, including projections, will be permitted to transit the New Poe Lock at such times as determined by the District Engineer or his authorized representative that they will not unduly delay the transit of vessels of lesser dimensions, or endanger the lock structure because of wind, ice, or other adverse conditions. These vessels also will be subject to such special handling requirements as may be found necessary by the Area Engineer at time of transit. Vessels over 1,000 feet in length will be required to be equipped with six mooring cables and winches ready for use to assist in safe transit of the lock.
(x) Masters or other persons refusing to comply with the regulations in this section or any orders given in pursuance thereof, or using profane, indecent, or abusive language, may, in the discretion of the District Engineer or his authorized agents, be denied the privileges of the locks and canal grounds.
§ 207.441 - St. Marys Falls Canal and Locks, Mich.; security.
(a) Purpose and scope of the regulations. The regulations in this section are prescribed as protective measures. They supplement the general regulations contained in § 207.440 the provisions of which shall remain in full force and effect except as modified by this section.
(b) Restrictions on transit of vessels. The following classes of vessels will not be permitted to transit the U.S. locks or enter any of the United States approach canals:
(1)-(3) [Reserved]
(4) Tanker vessels—(i) Hazardous material. Cleaning and gas freeing of tanks on all hazardous material cargo vessels (as defined in 49 CFR part 171) shall not take place in a lock or any part of the Soo Locks approach canals from the outer end of the east center pier to the outer end of the southwest pier.
(ii) Approaching. Whenever a tank vessel is approaching the Soo Locks and within the limits of the lock piers (outer ends of the southwest and east center piers) either above or below the locks, no other vessel will be released from the locks in the direction of the approaching tank vessel, unless the tank vessel is certified gas free or is carrying non-combustible products, until the tank vessel is within the lock chamber or securely moored to the approach pier. Whenever a tank vessel is within a Soo Lock Chamber, the tank vessel, unless certified gas free or is carrying non-combustible products, will not be released from the lock until the channel within the limits of the lock piers either above or below the lock, in the direction of the tank vessel, is clear of vessels or vessels therein are securely moored to the approach pier. This limits movement to a single vessel whenever a tank vessel is within the limits of the lock piers either above or below the locks, unless the tank vessel is certified gas free or is carrying non-combustible products. Tank vessels to which this paragraph (b)(4)(ii) applies include those vessels carrying fuel oil, gasoline, crude oil or other flammable liquids in bulk, including vessels that are not certified gas free where the previous cargo was one of these liquids.
(iii) Locks park. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of this section, tankers with any type cargo will be permitted to transit the MacArthur Lock when the locks park is closed. The exact dates and times that the park is closed varies, but generally these periods are from midnight to 6 a.m. June through September with one or two hour closure extensions in the early and late seasons. Tankers carrying non-combustible products that will not react hazardously with water or tankers that have been purged of gas or hazardous fumes and certified gas free will be allowed to transit the MacArthur Lock when the park is open.
(5) Carrying explosives. All vessels, except U.S. vessels of war and public vessels as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101,carrying.S. Locks.
(c) Personnel restrictions. Masters of vessels are responsible for the conduct of crew and passengers while transiting St. Marys Falls Canal and Locks and for strict compliance with the regulations. The following procedures are established for the control of persons embarking or debarking from vessels while transiting the locks:
(1) The master or mate and not more than three deckhands will be permitted to go ashore from transiting vessels and then only for normal operations and business incident to the transit. A maximum of four men will be permitted ashore at any one time from any one ship.
(2) Personnel—(i) Embarking. Personnel, including technicians, repairmen, and company officials will be permitted to embark at the locks if they are in possession of a letter addressed to the Area Engineer, St. Marys Falls Canal, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, from the vessel's master, the operators of the vessel, or the Lake Carriers' Association, requesting that the individual named therein be permitted to embark on a particular vessel. United States vessel personnel must also be in possession of a specially validated seaman's document issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. Their papers will be presented to the civilian guard on duty at the main gate on Portage Avenue who will arrange escort from the gate to the vessel. Luggage will be subject to inspection.
(ii) Debarking. The vessel master will furnish prior notification to the Chief Lockmaster at St. Marys Falls Canal Tower (Radio Call WUD-31) that he has vessel personnel, technicians, repairmen or company officials aboard for whom he requests authority to debark. If authority to debark is granted such personnel will be furnished a letter by the vessel master, addressed to the Area Engineer, St. Marys Falls Canal, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, giving the name and position of the individual concerned. Personnel will not debark until they have been properly identified by a licensed officer of the vessel and the letter furnished to the escort provided from the civilian guard detail who will escort personnel to the gate. In the event a person debarking for medical attention is a litter case, notification will be given sufficiently in advance to permit the Chief Lockmaster to route the vessel to the MacArthur Lock in order that the long carry over the lock gates may be avoided. The Area Engineer will make the necessary arrangements for clearance of ambulances and medical personnel into the lock area.
(3) No passengers or guest passengers will be permitted to embark or debark at St. Marys Falls Canal except in emergency when medical attention is required.
(4) Letters cited in paragraph (c)(2) of this section are valid only for a single passage through the lock area. In the event frequent access to the area is required a request for extended access with reasons therefor will be submitted to the Area Engineer, St. Marys Falls Canal, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, who may arrange for the necessary clearance.
(5) Emergency needs to embark or debark which develop with insufficient time to follow the procedure outlined in this paragraph will be approved or disapproved by the Area Engineer, St. Marys Falls Canal, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, according to the circumstances of the individual case, and requests therefor should be promptly directed to him.
§ 207.460 - Fox River, Wis.
(a) Use, administration and navigation of the locks and canals—(1) Navigation. The Fox River and Wolf River navigation seasons will commence and close as determined by the district engineer, Corps of Engineers, in charge of the locality, depending on conditions and need for lock service. Days and hours of lock operation will also be determined by the district engineer. Public notices will be issued announcing or revising the opening and closing dates and operating schedules at least 10 days in advance of such dates.
(2) Authority of lockmaster. The movement of all boats, vessels, tows, rafts and floating things, both powered and nonpowered, in the canals and locks, approaches to the canals, and at or near the dams, shall be subject to the direction of the lockmaster or his duly authorized representatives in charge at the locks.
(3) Signals. All boats approaching the locks shall signal for lockage by four distinct whistles of short duration. Locks will not be opened on such audible signal during the period when advance notice is required if the services of the lock tender are required elsewhere to meet prior requests for lockages.
(4) Mooring in locks. All craft being locked shall be secured to the mooring posts on the lock walls. Large craft shall use one head line and at least one spring line. Lines shall remain fastened until the signal is given by the lock tender for the craft to leave the lock.
(5) Delays in canals. No boat, barge, raft or other floating craft shall tie up or in any way obstruct the canals or approaches, or delay entering or leaving the locks, except by permission from proper authority. Boats wishing to tie up for some hours or days in the canals must notify the Project Engineer directly or through a lock tender, and proper orders on the case will be given. Boats so using the canals must be securely moored in the places assigned, and if not removed promptly on due notice, will be removed, as directed by the Project Engineer at the owner's expense. Boats desiring to tie up in the canals for the purpose of unloading cargoes over the canal banks must, in each case, obtain permission in advance from the District Engineer. Request for such permission shall be submitted through the Project Engineer.
(6) Provisions for lockage service. (i) Commercial vessels, barges, rafts and tows engaged in commerce will be provided lockages during the same period as provided for pleasure boats (see paragraph (a)(6)(iv) of this section).
(ii) Pleasure boats, powered and non-powered, houseboats and similar craft will be provided with not more than one lockage each way through the same lock in a 24-hour period.
(iii) All small vessels or craft, such as skiffs, sculls, sailing boats, etc., shall be passed through locks in groups of not less than six at one lockage, or may be granted separate lockage if the traffic load at the time permits.
(iv) Lockage may be provided during certain hours other than announced at the intermediate locks provided prior requests are made to the Corps of Engineers, Fox River Project Office. Requests may be made either in writing, by telephone or in person to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fox River Project Office, 1008 Augustine Street, Kaukauna, Wisconsin 54130, telephone: 414-766-3531.
(7) Injury to locks or fixtures. Vessel operators shall use great care not to strike any part of the locks or sluice walls, or any gate or appurtenance thereto, or machinery for operating the gates, or the walls protecting the banks of the canals. All boats using the canals shall be free from projecting irons or rough surfaces that would be liable to damage the locks or any part of the canals, and they must be provided with fenders to be used in guarding the lock walls, etc., from injury. Boats will not be permitted to enter or leave the locks until the lock gates are fully in the gate recesses, and the lock tender has directed the boat to proceed. No vessel shall be raced or crowded alongside another vessel, or be moved at such speed as will cause excessive swells or wash. Speed shall be kept at a minimum consistent with safe navigation.
(8) Handling gates. No one, unless authorized by the lock tender, shall open or close any gate, or valve, or in any way interfere with the employees in the discharge of their duties. The lock tender may call for assistance from the master of any boat using the lock should such aid be needed.
(9) Draft of boats. No boat shall enter a canal or lock whose actual draft exceeds the least depth of water in the channel of the canal as given by the Project Engineer.
(10) Right-of-way. Boats going downstream shall have the right-of-way over boats going upstream. Ordinarily, the boats or tows arriving first at any of the locks shall have precedence in passage except that those vessels which have given advance notice, when such notice is required, shall have precedence over other vessels when such notifying vessel is ready for passage. In all cases boats and barges belonging to the United States, or employed upon public works, shall have precedence over all others, and commercial passenger boats shall have precedence over tows. All boats not taking advantage of the first lawful opportunity to pass shall lose their turn. When lockage has started on tows requiring multiple lockages, all units of the tow will be locked ahead of other vessels traveling in the same direction. In the case of tows requiring two lockages, any craft awaiting lockage in the opposite direction will have priority over the second lockage of the tow.
(11) Boats and rafts without power. No boat or raft without power except small boats controlled by sails or oars shall be brought through the canal unless accompanied by a power operated boat.
(12) Dumping of refuse in waterway. No refuse or other material shall be thrown or dumped from vessels into the natural river, improved channels, canals and locks or placed on any bank of the river or berm of the canals so that it is liable to be thrown or washed into the waterway. (Sec. 13 of the River and Harbor Act of Mar. 3, 1899 (30 Stat. 1152; 33 U.S.C. 407), prohibits the depositing of any refuse matter in any navigable water or along the banks thereof where the same shall be liable to be washed into such navigable water.)
(13) Drawing off water. No water shall be drawn by any party or parties from any portion of the Fox River canals, or of the Fox River, including its lakes, improved channels and unimproved channels, to such extent as to lower the water surface below the crest of that dam next below the place where such draft of water is affected.
(14) Obstructing navigation. Anyone who shall willfully or through carelessness in any way obstruct the free navigation of the waterway, or by violation of any of the laws or regulations governing the waterway and those using it, delay or inconvenience any boat having the right to use the waterway, shall be responsible for all damages and delays, and for all expenses for removing the obstructions. (Sec. 20 of the River and Harbor Act of Mar. 3, 1899 (30 Stat. 1154; 33 U.S.C. 415), authorizes the immediate removal or destruction of any sunken vessel, craft or similar obstruction, which impedes or endangers navigation.)
(15) [Reserved]
(16) Trespass on U.S. property. Trespass on waterway property or injury to the banks, locks, dams, canals, piers, fences, trees, buildings or any other property of the United States pertaining to the waterway is strictly prohibited. No business, trading or landing of freight or baggage will be allowed on or over Government property, unless a permit or lease approved by the Secretary of the Army has been secured.
(17) Neenah dam outlet works. (i) During periods of high water, when determined to be necessary by the District Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer District, Chicago, to reduce the threat of flooding, it shall be the duty of the person owning, operating, or controlling the dam across the Neenah Channel of the Fox River at Neenah, Wis., acting as agent of the United States, to open or close, or cause to be opened or closed, pursuant to paragraph (a)(17)(ii) of this section, the outlet works of said dam to regulate the passage of water through said outlet works.
(ii) The outlet works of said dam shall be opened when and to the extent directed by the District Engineer or his authorized field representatives, and said outlet works shall thereafter be closed when and to the extent directed by the said District Engineer or his authorized field representative.
(b) Use of the United States drydock on Fox River at Kaukauna, Wis. (1) The drydock being a part of the Fox River improvement, its use will be governed by the general regulations for the use, administration, and navigation of that river, so far as they may be applicable.
(2) The drydock at Kaukauna, when not required for repairs or construction by the United States, may be used by private parties or corporations under certain restrictions and under the supervision and direction of the U.S. District Engineer in charge of the locality or his authorized agent.
(3) The drydock will be loaned to private parties only when no private drydock is available at the time and for the purpose desired. Applicants will be required to establish over their signature the fact that due effort has been made to secure the use of a private drydock and none can be had.
(4) Private parties desiring to use the Kaukauna drydock will give notice to the U.S. Assistant Engineer in local charge at Appleton, Wis., as long in advance as practicable, stating when use of the dock is wanted, nature of repairs required, and the dimensions and character of boat. No boat will enter the dock until the permission of the U.S. District Engineer or the Assistant Engineer above referred to has been obtained.
(5) All private parties or corporations using the Kaukauna drydock will furnish all material and labor, including blocking, when necessary, required for prompt execution of their work, and will also furnish all labor for properly operating, under the immediate personal supervision of an authorized canal employee, gates, and sluices of the drydock. No gate or sluice of the drydock will be operated, or in any way meddled with, except by permission of and under the personal supervision of such authorized canal employee.
(6) No boat will be allowed to occupy the Kaukauna drydock for a longer period than 2 days when other boats are waiting to use the dock, except in cases when, in the opinion of the U.S. District Engineer or his authorized agent, circumstances necessitate and justify a longer use than 2 days. The U.S. District Engineer or his authorized agent is authorized to remove from the drydock any boat using or occupying such dock without his authority, and the expense of such removal will be paid by the party or parties owning such boat.
(7) The wages of all mechanics and laborers, due from private parties for repairs carried on in the Kaukauna drydock, must be paid before the boat leaves the dock.
(8) Repair shop, timber shed, tools, etc., owned by the Government at and near the drydock shall not be used by parties allowed to occupy the drydock.
(9) Lumber and all material needed by parties allowed to use the drydock may be deposited in the drydock yards at such places as may be directed, but only for such time as repairs are being made, and residue must be entirely removed when the boat leaves the dock; general storage will not be permitted.
(10) All refuse and old material taken from boats under repairs must be removed or disposed of, as may be directed, by the owner of the boat or his employees without expense to the Government, and before the boat leaves the dock, and to the satisfaction of the agent in charge of the dock.
(11) The Government charges for the authorized and necessary use and occupancy of the Kaukauna drydock by private boats shall be, until further orders, as follows:
(i) Docking charges (including lay time for the calendar day on which vessel is docked): Tugs, motor boats, and dredges, 75 cents per linear foot; $25 minimum charge. Barges, dump scows, and derrick boats, 65 cents per linear foot; $20 minimum charge.
(ii) Lay-day charges (excluding Sundays and national holidays, unless repairs are made on such Sundays and holidays): For all vessels, 20 cents per linear foot per calendar day or part thereof; $7 per calendar day or part thereof, minimum charge.
(12) The charges for all use or occupancy of the Kaukauna drydock by a boat or private parties, after repairs on such boat have, in the opinion of the U.S. District Engineer or authorized agent, been so far completed as to permit safe removal from the dock, or after such removal has been ordered by the U.S. District Engineer or his authorized agent, shall be $50 per day or part of a day, in addition to any penalties incurred for violation of any of the regulations prescribed by law for the government of the dock and those using it.
(13) The dock will be considered in use by a boat from the time the dock is placed at its disposal until the boat is out of the dock.
(14) The length of all vessels shall be the over-all length measured on the main deck from stem to stern.
(15) The charges for the use of the drydock shall be paid within 10 days from date of bill, which will be submitted to the owner by the District Engineer as promptly as possible after the vessel leaves the dock. If charges are not so paid, the vessel shall be liable to the amount of the charges and the cost of collection in the manner prescribed by law, and the owner of the vessel shall be denied the use of the drydock until all charges and the cost of collection have been paid to the United States.
(16) This section supersedes the regulations for the use of this drydock approved April 10, 1906, which regulations are hereby revoked.
§ 207.470 - Sturgeon Bay and Lake Michigan Ship Canal, Wis.; use and navigation.
(a) Authority of canal officers. The movement of all boats and floating things in the canal and in the approaches thereto shall be under the direction of the superintendent or his authorized assistants, and their orders and instructions must be obeyed.
(b) Signals. On entering the canal at either entrance, steamers or tugs must blow their whistles for 1 minute in order to warn craft approaching from opposite direction and give them time to guard against collisions, by tying up if necessary. All steamers approaching others going in the opposite direction shall slacken speed so as to pass in safety. Compliance is required with rule V of the rules and regulations for the government of pilots, adopted by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Rule V. Whenever a steamer is nearing a short bend or curve in the channel where, from the height of the banks or other cause, a steamer approaching from the opposite direction cannot be seen for a distance of half a mile, the pilot of such steamer, when he shall have arrived within half a mile of such curve or bend, shall give a signal by one long blast of the steam whistle, which signal shall be answered by a similar blast by the pilot of any approaching steamer that may be within hearing. Should such signal be so answered by a steamer upon the farther side of such bend, then the usual signals for the meeting and passing shall immediately be given and answered; but if the first alarm signal of such pilot be not answered, he is to consider the channel clear and govern himself accordingly.
(c) Speed. The rate of speed while passing through the canal shall not exceed 5 miles per hour.
(d) Keeping in the center. The center must be kept all the way through, except in passing other craft. In case of grounding, the rapid or strong working of boat's engines is strictly forbidden.
(e)-(g) [Reserved]
(h) Rafts. (1) The passage of bag or sack rafts, or of loose logs, into or through the canal is prohibited.
(2) Rafts shall be made up with logs parallel to each other, in the direction of raft lengths, secured and held closely together by frequent cross-sticks, chains, or cables.
(3) Rafts shall not be of greater dimensions, either way, than 50 feet wide by 600 feet long, and if longer than 300 feet shall be handled by two tugs.
(4) No raft shall pass through the canal, unless by special permission of the superintendent or his authorized assistants, who will direct a time for passing that will least interfere with other navigation.
(5) Masters of tugs and other persons in charge of rafts are required to avoid damaging the canal revetments, and displacing buoys, spars, or the pedestal of any range light aiding navigation through the canal. They shall keep careful watch when passing aids to navigation, and should any be accidentally displaced, shall report the fact at the earliest possible moment to the superintendent or his authorized assistants.
(i)-(l) [Reserved]
(m) Refuse in canal. No person shall roll or throw any stones, ashes, cinders, or other material into the canal or the approaches thereto, or place any such material on any bank or berm of the canal so that it is liable to be thrown or roll in.
(n)-(o) [Reserved]
§ 207.476 - The Inland Route—lock in Crooked River, Alanson, Mich.; use, administration, and navigation.
(a) General. The use, administration, and navigation of the lock shall be under the direction and supervision of the District Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer District, Detroit, Mich., and his authorized agents.
(b) Authority of lockmaster. The lockmaster shall be charged with the immediate control and management of the lock, and of the area set aside as the lock area, including the lock approach channels. He shall see that all laws, rules, and regulations for the use of the lock and lock area are duly complied with, to which end he is authorized to give all necessary orders and directions in accordance therewith, both to the employees of the Government and to any and every person within the limits of the lock area, whether navigating the lock or not. No one shall cause any movement of any boat, craft or other floating object in the lock or approaches except by or under the direction of the lockmaster or his assistants.
(c) Operation. The lock operating season will commence and close as determined by the district engineers, Corps of Engineers in charge of the locality, depending on conditions and the need for lockage services. Public notices will be issued announcing the opening and closing dates at least 15 days in advance of such dates.
(d) Maximum allowable dimensions of craft. (1) Overall length—60 feet.
(2) Overall width—16 feet.
(3) Height above water—15 feet when upper pool is at low water datum.
(4) Draft—6 feet when lower pool is at low water datum.
(e) Signals. (1) Craft desiring lockage in either direction shall give notice to the lock tenders, when not farther than 200 yards from the lock, by one long blast (of 10 seconds duration) followed by one short blast (of 3 seconds duration) of whistle, horn, or siren.
(2) Craft not equipped with whistle, horn, or siren may signal for lockage by use of the signal provided for this purpose located near the extreme end of the guide wall to the starboard side of the craft, both upbound and downbound.
(f) The procedures for transit of lock. (1) Stand clear of the lock while the red signal light shows.
(2) When the green signal light shows and the lock horn sounds three blasts, approach and enter the lock.
(3) Full control of the craft must be maintained while entering the lock.
(4) After entrance to the lock is complete, the craft shall be securely moored to the cleats and bitts situated on the lock wall.
(5) While moored in the lock, the operator of the craft shall maintain constant attention to the mooring lines, to provide slack or retain tautness as needed.
(6) The craft shall remain securely moored until the exit lock gate is fully open and the lock horn sounds one blast.
(7) When the exit lock gate is fully open and the lock horn has sounded one blast, the craft shall immediately leave the lock under full control of its operator.
(g) Precedence at lock. The craft arriving first at the lock shall be first to lock through; but precedence will be given to craft belonging to the United States or other local government entities, such as state, county, or municipality. Arrival posts may be established above and below the lock. Craft arriving at or opposite such posts or markers will be considered as having arrived at the locks within the meaning of this paragraph.
§ 207.480 - Lake Huron, Mich.; Harbor of refuge, Harbor Beach; use and navigation.
(a) All boats, barges, and vessels entering the harbor will be required to take such positions as may be assigned them by the officer in charge, who will direct their movements, either from the breakwater or from the Government tug on the harbor.
(b) In the absence of any directions as to position, boats, barges, and vessels entering the harbor will observe the following rule: The first steam vessel, or the first steam vessel with consort in tow, on entering the harbor for shelter, will proceed to the upper end of the breakwater. All steam vessels, and all steam vessels with consorts in tow, entering later, will place themselves in a compact position close to those preceding them. Sailing craft will so locate themselves that they will not lie in the way of other vessels entering the harbor. All vessels of every description will in no way place themselves so as to interfere with the work of reconstruction of piers, or repairs, that may be in progress at the time.
(c) The use of chains in making fast to the breakwater will not be permitted. Lines must be attached to the snubbing posts only, and outboard anchors taken in.
(d) Steam craft with barges or vessels in tow will, if practicable, at once place them compactly alongside the breakwater, either taking in the towlines entirely or passing them on the breakwater so as not to interfere in any way with the landing or departure of boats or vessels between them. If impracticable to place them alongside the breakwater, they will each drop anchor and at once take in all towlines extending from one to the other.
(e) Passenger boats will, in general, have the preference as to location and attention by the officer in charge. Rafts will give way to all documented craft.
(f) All classes of boats, barges, vessels, or other floating property making fast to the breakwater must at once place such fenders between themselves and the breakwater as may be thought necessary by the officer in charge to prevent chafing or other damage.
(g) The unloading of wood, coal, ballast, stone, or freight of any class upon the breakwater is expressly prohibited, except in certain cases allowed by special permission from the officer in charge.
(h) Each and every piece of floating property made fast to the breakwater, or anchored in the harbor, must keep outboard from sunset to sunrise a conspicuous white light, and must have upon it and in immediate charge of it a watchman during the entire time such floating property is in the harbor. All colored lights must be at once taken in, or covered, on dropping anchor or making fast to the breakwater.
§ 207.560 - Sandusky Harbor, Ohio; use, administration, and navigation.
(a)-(c) [Reserved]
(d) No vessel shall moor or anchor to any structure of the United States without the consent of the District Engineer, U.S. Army, in charge of the locality, or his authorized agent.
(e) No vessel shall moor or anchor in or along any improved channel or basin in such manner as to interfere with improvement or maintenance operations therein. Whenever in the opinion of the District Engineer any vessel is so moored or anchored, the owner thereof shall cause said vessel to be moved upon notification from and within the time specified by said District Engineer.
§ 207.565 - Vermilion Harbor, Ohio; use, administration, and navigation.
(a)-(b) [Reserved]
(c) No vessel or other craft shall moor or anchor to any structure of the United States without the consent of the District Engineer, Corps of Engineers.
(d) No vessel or other craft shall moor or anchor in or along any improved channel or basin in such a manner as to interfere with the improvement or maintenance operations therein. Whenever in the opinion of the District Engineer any vessel or craft is so moored or anchored, the owner thereof shall cause such vessel or craft to be moved upon notification from, and within the time specified by, the District Engineer.
§ 207.570 - Harbors of Huron, Lorain, Cleveland, Fairport, Ashtabula, Conneaut, Ohio; use, administration, and navigation.
(a)-(b) [Reserved]
(c) No vessel shall moor or anchor to any structure of the United States without the consent of the District Engineer, U.S. Army, in charge of the locality, or his authorized agent.
(d) No vessel shall moor or anchor in or along any improved channel or basin in such manner as to interfere with improvement or maintenance operations therein. Whenever in the opinion of the District Engineer any vessel is so moored or anchored, the owner thereof shall cause said vessel to be moved upon notification from and within the time specified by said District Engineer.
§ 207.580 - Buffalo Harbor, N.Y.; use, administration, and navigation.
(a)-(b) [Reserved]
(c) No vessel shall moor or anchor to any structure of the United States without the consent of the District Engineer, U.S. Army, in charge of the locality, or his authorized agent.
(d) No vessel shall moor or anchor in or along any improved channel or basin in such manner as to interfere with improvement or maintenance operations therein. Whenever in the opinion of the District Engineer any vessel is so moored or anchored, the owner thereof shall cause said vessel to be moved upon notification from and within the time specified by said District Engineer.
§ 207.590 - Black Rock Canal and Lock at Buffalo, N.Y.; use, administration, and navigation.
(a) The term “canal” when used in this section will mean all of the Black Rock Waterway, including Black Rock Lock, and all of the lands, piers, buildings, and other appurtenances acquired by letters patent from the State of New York, or constructed for the use of the waterway; the southerly limit thereof being at the southerly end of Bird Island Pier, and the northerly limit being at the downstream end of the guide pier, Black Rock Lock, a length of 3.7 miles.
(b) The canal and all of its appurtenances and the use, administration and navigation thereof shall be in charge of the District Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer District, in charge of the locality, or his authorized agents.
(c) The movement of all vessels, boats, or other floating things in the canal shall be under the direction of the authorized agents of the District Engineer in charge, and their orders and instructions must be obeyed.
(d) For passage through the canal, vessels or boats belonging to the U.S. Government shall have precedence over all others.
(e) All registered vessels or boats must pass through the canal in order of their arrival at the canal limits, unless otherwise directed in accordance with this section.
(f) [Reserved]
(g) No vessel shall pass or approach within
(h) No vessel or boat shall anchor in or moor along the canal except at localities specially designated by the District Engineer or his agent; and no business, trading, or landing of freight or baggage, except such articles as may be readily carried in the hand, will be allowed on or over the canal lands or structures, without the permission of the District Engineer or his agent.
(i) No person or operator of a vessel in the Black Rock Canal, lock or approaching channels shall throw or discharge or permit to be thrown or discharged any solid material of any kind or any petroleum product of any kind into the canal, lock or appurtenant waters.
(j) All vessels and tows shall be navigated with care so as not to strike or disturb the channel buoys or channel markers. If a buoy or other channel marker is accidentally struck, damaged or displaced, the fact shall be reported immediately to the Black Rock Lock, foot of Bridge Street, Buffalo, N.Y., telephone 876-5454.
(k) Ferry Street Bridge: The clearheadroom under the bridge at low water datum is 17.3 feet for a width of 86 feet from the pivot pier, thence decreasing to 12.3 feet at the left (westerly) abutment.
(1) All vessels and boats which cannot pass under the bridge shall, on approaching the bridge, reduce speed sufficiently to enable them to come to a dead stop, without touching the bridge, in case the movable span cannot be lifted. If the wind is dangerously strong, passage of the bridge shall not be attempted by large vessels without the aid of a tug or tugs.
(2) Vessels and boats bound north shall have the right-of-way and priority for passage through the bridge over those bound south.
(3) All vessels and boats desiring passage through the bridge shall signal therefor by one long and two short whistle blasts.
(4) Upon receiving the opening signal, the bridge operator shall answer by giving the same signal on the bridge whistle and he shall then proceed at once to lift the bridge.
(5) In case the bridge cannot be lifted, for any cause, the bridge operator shall answer a vessel signal by giving five short whistle blasts; and the vessel shall then be stopped until the bridge is ready to be lifted, when the bridge operator shall give the whistle signal for passage and the vessel may proceed.
(6) In case the bridge is disabled so that it cannot be lifted for one-half hour or more pending repairs, red flags will be displayed on the bridge in daytime and two red lantern lights, one above the other, at night; and when such signals are displayed no vessel or boat shall signal for or attempt passage through the bridge.
(l) Radio control of vessel movement in Black Rock Canal. (1) The movement of vessels in the Black Rock Canal will be controlled by radio communication between the Black Rock Lock and the vessels desiring to use the canal. Vessels will not be permitted to meet or pass in the channel of restricted width between the southerly end of Bird Island (approximately 3,500 feet northerly along the canal from the North Breakwater South End Light) and the International Railway Bridge near the southerly entrance to the Black Rock Lock. Vessels less than 150 feet in length and tugs towing a single barge under 150 feet in length are not to be included in this special condition. In addition to the control of vessel movements in the restricted section of the canal, radio communications will also be utilized to facilitiate the passage of vessels through the entire canal and the Black Rock Lock.
(2) Radio communication will be the only means of control of vessel traffic in the canal in order to prevent a meeting or passing of vessels in the restricted area, and therefore it is mandatory that all vessels over 150 feet in length and tugs towing a barge or barges over 150 feet in combined length of tow be equipped with radio communication equipment operating on designated frequencies. Any vessel lacking such equipment will not be permitted to enter the canal unless arrangements are made with the Black Rock Lock by land telephone to 876-5454 or marine ship-to-shore facilities immediately before entering the canal.
(3) The Black Rock Lock radio communication equipment operates on VHF(FM) frequencies as follows: VHF—156.8 Mcs—Channel 16—Safety and Calling, VHF—156.7 Mcs—Channel 14—Working; VHF—156.6 Mcs—Channel 12 Working. A listening watch is maintained on VHF Channel 16.
(4) In order that positive control may be maintained it is mandatory that the following procedures be followed in communicating by radio with the Black Rock Lock:
(i) Vessels desiring to enter the Black Rock Canal from either the Buffalo Outer Harbor or the Buffalo River shall call the Black Rock Lock on VHF Channel 16 or by land telephone approximately 15 minutes before the estimated time of arrival at Buffalo Harbor Traffic Lighted Bell Buoy 1 located at latitude N. 42°50.1′ and longitude W. 78°55.4′. Information to be furnished the Black Rock Lock Operator should include the name of the vessel, position, destination, length, draft (forward and aft) and the type of cargo. A second call shall be made to the lock when the vessel is abreast of the Buffalo Harbor Light on the southerly end of the detached West Breakwater. Information furnished the vessel by the Lock Operator will assure the vessel operator of the proper time to enter the Black Rock Canal with a view to safety and minimum delay.
(ii) Vessels desiring to enter the Black Rock Canal from either the Buffalo Outer Harbor or the Buffalo River shall call the Black Rock Lock on VHF Channel 16 or by land telephone to 876-5454 immediately before departing a dock and again when abreast of the North Breakwater South End Light on the southerly end of the North Breakwater.
(iii) In any radio communication from a vessel to the Black Rock Lock, and VHF(FM) frequencies will be utilized.
(iv) In any radio communication from a vessel to the Black Rock Lock, the VHF (FM) frequencies will be utilized if available in preference to the MF (AM) frequencies.
(v) When an initial radio contact has been made with the Black Rock Lock the vessel entering the canal shall maintain a standby watch at the radio until the passage through the canal and lock is completed.
(vi) Failure to comply with the foregoing procedures could result in considerable delay to a vessel and possibly in a collision between vessels in the restricted section of the canal.
(m) Black Rock Lock. All vessels and boats desiring to use the lock shall signal by two long and two short whistle blasts.
(1) Northbound vessels and boats shall not be brought to within less than 300 feet of the upper lock gates, nor shall southbound vessels be brought to within less than 200 feet of the lower lock gates, until the lock is made ready and the lockmaster in charge signals the vessel to enter the lock.
(2) Vessels and boats shall not moor to the approach walls of the lock at either end, for any other purpose than waiting for lockage, except by direction or permission of the lockmaster.
(3) Commercial vessels will receive preference in passage through the locks. Small vessels such as row, sail, and motor boats, bent on pleasure only, will be passed through the lock in company with commercial vessels when small vessels can be safely accommodated or in the absence of commercial vessels may be passed through the lock individually or together in one lockage on the hour if northbound and on the half hour if southbound. However, commercial vessels will receive preference which could delay the passage of pleasure craft. Pleasure craft will not be permitted to pass through the lock with vessels carrying inflammable cargo. Vessels and other large boats when in the lock shall fasten one head line and one spring line to the snubbing posts on the lock walls, and the lines shall not be cast off until the signal is given by the lockmaster for the boats to leave the lock.
(4) Vessels and boats will be passed through the lock in order of their arrival except that the lockmaster may order a small vessel to lock through in company with another vessel, irrespective of the former's order of arrival.
(5) All vessels and boats shall be maneuvered with great care so as not to strike any part of the lock walls, or any gate or appurtenance thereto, or machinery for operating the gates, or the walls protecting the lock approaches.
(6) Vessels and boats shall not enter or leave until the lock gates are fully in their recesses, and the lockmaster has given direction for starting.
(7) [Reserved]
(8) Trespass on lock property is strictly prohibited. However, in that portion of the Black Rock Canal lying between the International Railway Bridge and the northerly end of the westerly lower guide pier, the following conditions shall apply to the embarking or disembarking of crew members or passengers of a vessel transiting the lock:
(i) Only the master or mate and two or three linesmen will be permitted to go ashore from transiting vessels and then only for normal operations and business incident to the transit. A maximum of only four (4) men will be permitted to go ashore from any one ship.
(ii) No crew members will be permitted to board a ship at the locks unless previously requested in writing by the master or owners, and approved by canal authorities.
(iii) No crew member may leave a ship while it is in transit in the lock or canal unless certified in advance as an emergency by the vessel master and approved by canal authorities.
(iv) No guest passengers will be permitted to either board or disembark at the canal or locks.
(9) Schedule of Seasonal Operation:
(i) March 23 through June 14—6 a.m. to 11 p.m., daily.
(ii) June 15 through September 6-24 hours, daily.
(iii) September 7 through November 30—6 a.m. to 11 p.m., daily.
(iv) December 1 through March 22—8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily. During the navigation season the hours may be extended by the district engineer, depending on conditions and the need for lockage service. Public notices will be issued announcing the opening and closing dates at least 10 days in advance of such dates.
(10) Non-operational hours lockings. In addition to the above schedule of operating hours, commercial vessels may be locked through during non-operational hours with prior arrangements made through the U.S. Army Engineer District, Buffalo. Requests for non-operational hours lockings shall be made at least 24 hours in advance by calling (716) 876-5454, extension 2284 or by radio as described in paragraph (l) of this section, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except holidays. Requests shall include the approximate time of arrival and the name and call letters of the vessel or, if the vessel is not equipped to receive radio messages, a telephone number at which messages may be received for the vessel. If a requested lockage must be delayed, prompt notification shall be given by telephone or radio.
§ 207.600 - Rochester (Charlotte) Harbor, N.Y.; use, administration, and navigation.
(a)-(b) [Reserved]
(c) No vessel shall moor or anchor to any structure of the United States without the consent of the District Engineer, U.S. Army, in charge of the locality, or his authorized agent.
(d) No vessel shall moor or anchor in or along any improved channel or basin in such manner as to interfere with improvement or maintenance operations therein. Whenever in the opinion of the District Engineer any vessel is so moored or anchored, the owner thereof shall cause said vessel to be moved upon notification from and within the time specified by said District Engineer.
§ 207.610 - St. Lawrence River, Cape Vincent Harbor, N.Y.; use, administration, and navigation of the harbor and U.S. breakwater.
(a)-(c) [Reserved]
(d) Vessels shall observe the following rule in mooring to the breakwater: The first self-propelled vessel stopping at the harbor for shelter will proceed to the upstream end of the breakwater and moor along either side of it. All similar vessels entering later will place themselves in a compact position close to those preceding them. Passenger vessels will, in general, have preference as to location of moorage. Sailing craft will so locate themselves that they will not lie in the way of other vessels entering the harbor. All vessels of every description will place themselves so as not to interfere with any work of reconstruction or repair that may be in progress at the time.
(e) The use of chains in making fast to the breakwater is prohibited. Lines must be attached to the snubbing posts only, and outboard anchors taken in.
(f) Vessels with other craft in tow will, if practicable, at once, moor them compactly along the breakwater, either taking in the towlines or placing the slack in them upon the breakwater in such a manner as not to interfere with other vessels. If necessary to moor alongside of other vessels moored to the breakwater, the towlines shall be taken in or disposed of in such a manner as not to interfere with the departure of vessels moored between them and the breakwater.
(g) Vessels of every description mooring to the breakwater, must place suitable fenders between themselves and the breakwater to protect the timber walings on the breakwater from damage.
(h) The unloading of freight of any class upon the breakwater is expressly prohibited, except in accordance with special permission from the said District Engineer or his representative.
(i) Each and every vessel made fast to the breakwater, or anchored in the harbor without a line made fast to the shore or shore dock, must have at least one experienced person upon it during the entire time said vessel is thus moored in the harbor.
§ 207.640 - Sacramento Deep Water Ship Channel Barge Lock and Approach Canals; use, administration, and navigation.
(a) Sacramento Deep Water Ship Channel Barge Lock and Approach Canals; use, administration and navigation—(1) General. The lock, its approach channels and all its appurtenances, including the highway and railroad bridge, shall be under the jurisdiction of the District Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer District, Sacramento, Federal and Courts Building, 650 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, California. His designated representative at the locality shall be the lockmaster, who will be in immediate charge of movement and position of all water traffic while at or near the locks and in the barge canals.
(2) Immediate control. The lockmaster shall be charged with the immediate control and management of the lock, bridge, and of the area set aside as the lock area, including the entrance channels. He shall see that all laws, rules and regulations for the use of the lock, bridge and the lock area are duly complied with, to which end he is authorized to give all necessary orders and directions in accordance therewith, both to employees of the Government and to any and every person within the Government lock area. Crews shall render such assistance in the lockage of their craft as may be required by the lockmaster.
(3) Signals—(i) Sound. All craft desiring lockage shall signal by two long blasts followed by two short blasts of the whistle, delivered at a distance of one-half mile from the lock. When the lock is ready for entrance, notice will be given by one long blast from the control house. Permission to leave the lock will be one short blast given by the lockmaster.
(ii) Visual lock traffic signals. Visual signals are located outside of each lock gate on the north guide wall, and will be used in conjunction with sound signals. When the red light is flashing, lock cannot be made ready for entrance immediately, vessel must stand clear. When the amber light is flashing, lock is being made ready, prepare for lockage. When the green light is flashing, lock is ready for entrance, the vessel may proceed with caution into the lock.
(iii) Visual river traffic signals. Visual signals are located on the south bank of the barge canal at the confluence with the Sacramento River and also 1,950 feet upstream on the west bank of the Sacramento River. When the red light is on, a river-bound vessel of a size making passing in the canal hazardous is in the lock or canal. Approaching vessel shall stand clear of canal to permit out-going vessel to pass. When the amber light is on, a river-bound vessel of a size to permit passing is in the lock or canal. Vessel may enter canal with caution. When the green light is on, vessel may enter canal and proceed under full control.
(iv) Radio. The lock is equipped with two-way radio operating on a frequency of 156.60 mc. The frequency is monitored by the lock personnel. Vessels equipped with two-way radio may communicate with the crew operating the lock but communications or signals so received will only augment and not replace the sound and visual signals.
(4) Permissible dimensions of vessels and tows. The lock chamber has a maximum usable width of 86 feet and length of 600 feet. The sill at the harbor end and the bottom of the lock chamber are −13.0 feet elevation, CofE datum, and usually provides a depth of water ranging from 14.0 feet at LLW to 19.4 feet at HHW, with greater depths during large floods in the delta. The sill at the river end is at −10.0 feet elevation, CofE datum, and usually provides a depth of water ranging from 14.6 feet at LLW to 16.8 feet at HHW, with greater depths when the river is high. The depth of water at any time is indicated by staff gages located on the south wall of the lock, riverward and harborward of each lock gate and at the center of the lock. A vessel must not attempt to enter the lock if its beam or length is greater than indicated above, or if its draft exceeds the depth of water indicated by the gages, with due allowance for clearance.
(5) Precedence at lock. Ordinarily, craft will be locked through in order of arrival; however, depending upon whether the lock is full or empty, this precedence may be modified at the discretion of the lockmaster if boats are approaching from the opposite direction and are within reasonable distance of the lock at the time of the approach by the first boat. When several craft are to pass, precedence shall be given as follows:
(6) Loss of turn. Boats that fail to enter the lock with reasonable promptness, after being authorized to do so, shall lose their turn.
(7) Multiple lockage. The lockmaster shall decide whether one or more vessels may be locked through at the same time.
(8) Speed. Vessels shall not be raced or crowded alongside another in the barge canals. When entering the barge canals and lock, speed shall be reduced to a minimum consistent with safe navigation. As a general rule, when a number of vessels are entering the lock, the following vessel shall remain at least 200 feet astern of the vessel ahead. No overtaking, except when directed by lockmaster, will be permitted.
(9) Lockage of small boats—(i) General. The lockage of pleasure boats, skiffs, fishing boats and other small craft will be coordinated with the lockage of commercial craft. If no commercial craft are scheduled to be locked through within a reasonable time, not to exceed one hour after the arrival of the small craft at the lock, separate lockage will be made for such small craft.
(ii) Signals. Small boats desiring to use the lock will sound two long blasts followed by two short blasts of the horn. When the lock is ready for entrance, the lockmaster will notify the small boat by one long blast of the horn; or through the public address system. Permission to leave the lock will be given by the lockmaster by one short blast of the horn.
(10) Mooring in lock. All boats, when in the lock, shall be moored to the fastenings provided for that purpose, by bow and stern lines and other spring lines as may be necessary, and the lines shall not be let go until the signal is given by the lockmaster for the craft to leave the lock.
(11) Waiting for lockage. The mooring or anchoring of boats or other craft in the approaches to the lock, where such mooring will interfere with navigation of the lock is prohibited. All boats, barge tows and other craft to be passed through the lock shall lie in designated waiting areas in such manner as not to interfere with the navigation of the lock or its approaches, and, if a barge tow is to be divided into sections for locking, the sections shall be brought into the lock as directed by the lockmaster. After passing through the lock, the sections shall be reassembled at such a distance from the entrance as not to obstruct or interfere with navigation of the lock or its approaches.
(12) Delay in lock. Boats or barges must not obstruct navigation by unnecessary delays in entering or leaving the lock.
(13) Damage to lock or other structures. The regulations contained in this paragraph shall not relieve the owners and operators of vessels from liability for any damage by their operations to the lock or other structures. They must use great care not to strike any part of the lock, any gate or appurtenance thereto, or machinery for operating the gates, or the walls protecting the banks of the approach canals. All boats with metal nosings or projecting irons, or rough surfaces that would be liable to damage the gates or lock walls, will not be permitted to enter the lock unless provided with suitable buffers and fenders.
(14) Tows. Tows shall be made up outside the canal entrance. All vessels engaged in towing other vessels not equipped with a rudder shall use two tow lines or a bridge and one tow line. If the vessel in tow is equipped with a rudder, one tow line may be used. All tow lines or hawsers must be hauled as short as practicable for safe handling of tows.
(15) Crew to move craft. The pilots in charge of tows and persons in charge of other craft must provide a sufficient number of men to handle lines in mooring craft and to move barges and other craft into and out of the lock easily and promptly.
(16) Handling valves, gates, bridges and machinery. No person, unless authorized by the lockmaster shall open or close any bridge, gate, valve or operate any machinery in connection with the lock; but the lockmaster may, under emergency conditions, call for assistance from the master of any boat using the lock, should such aid be necessary, and when rendering such assistance, the man so employed shall be strictly under the orders of the lockmaster.
(17) Landing of freight. No one shall land freight or baggage on or over the walls of the lock so as in any way to delay or interfere with navigation or the operation of the lock.
(18) Refuse in lock. No material of any kind shall be thrown or discharged into the lock, and no material of any kind shall be deposited into the lock area.
(19) [Reserved]
(20) Persistent violation of regulations. If the owner or pilot of any boat persistently violates the regulations of this paragraph after due notice of the same, lockage may be refused by the lockmaster at the time of the violation or subsequent thereto, as required in the interest of public safety or protection of Government property.
(21) Other laws and regulations. In all other respects, the existing Federal laws, rules and regulations affecting navigable waters of the United States will govern in the use, administration and navigation of the ship channel, lock and its approaches.
§ 207.680 - Willamette River, Oreg.; use, administration, and navigation of canal and locks at Willamette Falls, Oreg.
(a) Administration—(1) Administrative jurisdiction. The canal and locks and all appurtenances shall be in the charge of the District Engineer, Portland District, Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, 319 S.W. Pine Street, Portland, Oregon 97208. The representative of the District Engineer at the locality shall be the lockmaster, who shall receive his orders and instructions from the district engineer. In case of emergency, however, the lockmaster shall have authority to take such steps as may be immediately necessary without waiting for instruction from the district engineer.
(2) Operational jurisdiction. The lock master shall be charged with the immediate control and management of the canal and locks and the grounds and public property pertaining thereto. He shall see that all laws, rules and regulations, for the use of the canal and grounds are duly complied with, to which end he is authorized to give all necessary orders and directions in accordance therewith, both to employees of the Government and to any and every person within the limits of the canal and locks or grounds pertaining thereto, whether navigating the canal or not. In case of the absence or disability of the lock master, his duty shall be performed by an assistant or other employee to be designated by the District Engineer.
(b) Use and navigation—(1) Authority of lock master. The lock master or his assistants shall direct the movement, operation, and moorage of all vessels, boats, rafts, barges, or other floating things using the locks, while they are in the locks, the canal basin, or in either the upstream or downstream lock approaches. Crews of vessels, boats, rafts, barges, or other floating things seeking lockage shall render such assistance as the lock master or his assistants may require.
(2) Signals. All vessels desiring lockage shall signal the same by one long and one short blast of the whistle, delivered at a distance of approximately 1,000 feet from the locks. Requests for lockage may also be made by contacting the lockmaster on VHF-FM radio on channel 14, at WUJ 363, Willamette Falls Locks or by telephone or otherwise notifying the lockmaster's office. Notice to vessels desiring lockage will be given by red and green traffic lights. Vessels may enter locks on green lights, but must await green signal when lights are red. Permission to leave the lock will be given in the same manner. In the event a failure occurs and the referenced lights cannot be operated, the lockmaster will indicate by voice or by hand or lantern signals when vessels may enter or leave the locks.
(3) Controlling dimensions. For lockage purposes the maximum length of space available is 175 feet and the maximum clear width available is 37 feet. All vessels, boats, rafts, barges, or other floating things of less size than the foregoing dimensions can pass through the locks. The controlling water depth over the intermediate miter sills throughout the locks is 6.5 feet. However, the depth on the sill of the upstream gate at low water is 7.5 feet and over the downstream sill is 8.4 feet. The elevation of the upstream sill is 43.7 feet and of the downstream sill is −6.4 feet, corresponding to the elevations shown on the gages provided at both the downstream and upstream approaches to the locks. All vessels, boats, rafts, barges, and other floating things of which the dimensions or draft are greater than will permit clearing any of the above indicated elevations shall be prohibited from entering the locks. All vessels, boats, rafts, barges or other floating things entering the locks in violation of the above shall be responsible for all resulting damages.
(4) Precedence at locks. Ordinarily the vessel, boat, raft, barge, or other floating thing arriving first at the lock will be locked through first. In the event of a simultaneous approach from opposite directions ascending craft will ordinarily be locked through first. When several boats are to be passed through the locks, the order of precedence shall be as follows:
(i) To boats owned by the United States or employed upon river and harbor improvement work.
(ii) To passenger boats.
(iii) To freight and tow boats.
(iv) To rafts.
(v) To small vessels and pleasure craft.
(5) Entrance to locks. The lock master shall decide whether one or more vessels may be locked through at the same time. No one shall attempt to enter the locks with a vessel or attempt to cause a vessel to enter the locks until he is authorized by the lock master to do so. No one shall take a vessel, or cause a vessel to be taken, within the limits of 500 feet above the upper gate and 300 feet below the lower gate, except for the purpose of entering the locks; and not for this purpose until it has been indicated to him by a proper person by signal that the lock is ready to receive the vessel. All vessels within the foregoing limits must be operated under “slow bell” and be kept constantly under control.
(6) Lockage of small boats. Pleasure boats, skiffs, fishing boats, and other small craft may be passed through the locks singularly, in groups, or as part of a lockage of other than pleasure craft. A continual flow of traffic in one direction will not be interrupted or reversed to accommodate these small pleasure boats. However, any such small boat will be accommodated at such time as the lock master upon receipt of a request for lockage deems such action will not interfere with other traffic. The decision of the lock master shall be final as to whether craft requesting lockage is defined as a pleasure boat.
(7) Use of canal locks. No person, unless authorized by the lockmaster or his assistants, shall open or close any bridge, lock gate, wicket gate, or operate any lock machinery, or in any way interfere with any mechanism or appliance connected with the operation of the locks, nor shall anyone interfere with the employees in the discharge of their duties. The lockmaster or his assistants may call for aid from the persons in charge of any craft, vessel, or raft using the lock should such aid be necessary. Persons rendering such assistance shall be strictly under the orders of the lockmaster. The Government reserves the right to refuse lockage to any vessel, craft or raft when the persons in charge thereof refuse to give such assistance when it is requested. The persons in charge of vessels with tows or rafts, barges and other craft must provide sufficient personnel, lines and towing equipment of sufficient power to insure at all times full control of such tows, rafts, barges and other craft while moving into and through the locks, unless otherwise prearranged with the lockmaster. A copy of these regulations shall be kept on board each vessel regularly engaged in navigating the locks. Copies may be obtained without charge from the lockmaster or from the District Engineer, Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, 319 S.W. Pine Street, Post Office Box 2946, Portland, Oregon 97208.
(8) Petroleum vessels. All tankers, barges, and other floating equipment, used for transporting inflammable liquids, either with or without cargo, shall be equipped with fixed timber fenders and, if not so equipped, shall have aboard an adequate number of suitable fenders of timber, rubber, or rope which are to be placed between the vessel and unfendered lock structures. All such barges or other vessels navigating without power within the canal or locks must be assisted by one or more tugs of sufficient power to insure full control at all times whether passing upstream or downstream through the locks with or without cargo.
(9) Mooring in locks. All boats, barges, rafts, and other craft when in the locks shall be moored by head and spring lines and such other lines as may be necessary to the fastenings provided for that purpose; and the lines shall not be unloosed until the signal is given for the vessel to leave the lock.
(10) Mooring while waiting for lockage. The mooring of boats, tows or other craft in the approaches to the locks where such mooring will interfere with navigation or other vessels to or from the locks is prohibited.
(11) Delays. Boats, barges, rafts, or other craft must not obstruct navigation by unnecessary delay in entering or leaving the locks. Vessels failing to enter the locks with reasonable promptness, when signaled to do so, and vessels arriving at the locks with their tows in such shape so as to impede lockage shall forfeit their turn.
(12) Landing of freight. No freight or baggage shall be unloaded on or over the walls of the canal or locks. Freight and baggage consigned to the Willamette Falls locks shall be unloaded only at such places as may be provided for this purpose or as directed by the lock master.
(13) Refuse in canal or locks. No refuse or other material shall be thrown or dumped from vessels into the canal and locks, or deposited in the lock area, or placed on the berm of the canal so that it is liable to be thrown or washed into the waterway. Violations of this paragraph (b)(13) shall be subject to sections 13 and 16 of the River and Harbor Act of March 3, 1899 (33 U.S.C. 407,411.
(14) Damage to locks or other structures. The regulations contained in this section shall not affect the liability of the owners and operators of vessels for any damage caused by their operations to the locks or other structures. Persons in charge of vessels and log rafts passing through the locks must use great care to prevent the vessels or log rafts from striking any gate or appurtenance thereto. All boats or barges with metal nosings, or projecting irons, or rough surfaces, and log rafts with dragging cables that may damage any part of the lock structures will not be permitted to enter the locks unless said craft are provided with suitable protective buffers and fenders and log rafts are free of loose, dragging cables.
(c) [Reserved]
(d) Trespass. No one shall trespass on the grounds or buildings, and everyone shall be deemed guilty of trespass within the meaning of this paragraph who shall willfully or carelessly damage or disfigure the canal and locks or any part thereof, or any building or appliance on the grounds, or who shall carry on business or trading of any sort, or shall build any fishing stand or lead, or set any fish net within the limits of the reservation, or do any act to or on the grounds or buildings which would be recognized by law as a trespass.
(e) Definitions. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b)(6) of this section, whenever such a word as “vessel”, “boat”, “barge”, “raft”, or the like is used in this section, it shall include all types of floating things which may be subject to lockage. Failure to refer specifically to a type of floating thing by its name shall not mean exclusion thereof from applicability of this section.
§ 207.718 - Navigation locks and approach channels, Columbia and Snake Rivers, Oreg. and Wash.
(a) General. All locks, approach channels, and all lock appurtenances, shall be under the jurisdiction of the District Engineer, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, in charge of the locality. The district engineer may, after issuing a public notice and providing a 30-day opportunity for public comment, set (issue) a schedule for the daily lockage of recreational vessels. Recreational vessels are pleasure boats such a row, sail, or motor boats used for recreational purposes. Commercial vessels include licensed commercial passenger vessels operating on a published schedule or regularly operating in the “for hire” trade. Any recreational schedule shall provide for a minimum of one scheduled recreation lockage upstream and downstream (two lockages) each day. At the discretion of the district engineer, additional lockages may be scheduled. Each schedule and any changes to the schedule will be issued at least 30 days prior to implementation. Prior to issuing any schedule or any change to the schedule, the district engineer will consider all public comments and will evaluate the expected energy situation, water supply, and recreation use of the lock to determine the seasonal need for the schedule or change in schedule. The district engineer's representative at the locks shall be the project engineer, who shall issue orders and instructions to the lockmaster in charge of the lock. Hereinafter, the term “lockmaster” shall be used to designate the person in immediate charge of the lock at any given time. In case of emergency and on all routine work in connection with the operation of the lock, the lockmaster shall have authority to take action without waiting for instructions from the project engineer.
(b) Lockage control. The Lock Master shall be charged with immediate control and management of the lock, and of the area set aside as the lock area, including the lock approach channels. Upstream and downstream approach channels extend to the end of the wing or the guide wall, whichever is longer. At Bonneville lock the upstream approach channel extends to the mooring tie offs at Fort Rains and the downstream approach channel extends to the downstream tip of Robins Island. The Lock Master shall demand compliance with all laws, rules and regulations for the use of the lock and lock area and is authorized to issue necessary orders and directions, both to employees of the Government or to other persons within the limits of the lock or lock area, whether navigating the lock or not. Use of lock facilities is contingent upon compliance with regulations, Lock Master instructions and the safety of people and property.
(c) Authority of Lock Master. No one shall initiate any movement of any vessel in the lock or approaches except by or under the direction of the Lock Master. (“Vessel” as used herein includes all connected units, tugs, barges, tows, boats or other floating objects.)
(d) Signals—(1) Radio. All locks are equipped with two-way FM radio operating on channel 14, frequency of 156.700 MHz, for both the calling channel and the working channel. Vessels equipped with two-way radio desiring a lockage shall call WUJ 33 Bonneville, WUJ 34 The Dalles, WUJ 35 John Day, WUJ 41 McNary, WUJ 42 Ice Harbor, WUJ 43 Lower Monumental, WUJ 44 Little Goose, or WUJ 45 Lower Granite, at least one-half hour in advance of arrival since the Lock Master is not in constant attendance of the locks. Channel 14 shall be monitored constantly in the vessel pilot house from the time the vessel enters the approach channel until its completion of exit. Prior to entering the lock chamber, the commercial freight or log-tow vessel operator shall report the nature of any cargo, the maximum length, width and draft of the vessel and whether the vessel is in any way hazardous because of its condition or the cargo it carries or has carried.
(2) Pull-cord signal stations. Pull-cord signal stations marked by large instructional signs and located near the end of the upstream and downstream lock entrance walls may be used in place of radios to signal the Lock Master for a lockage.
(3) Entering and exit signals. Signal lights are located outside each lock gate. When the green (go) light is on, all vessels will enter in the sequence prescribed by the Lock Master. When the red (stop) light is on, the lock is not ready for entrance and vessels shall stand clear. In addition to the above visual signals, the Lock Master will signal that the lock is ready for entrance by sounding one long blast on the lock air horn. The Lock Master will signal that the lock is ready for exit by lighting the green exit light and sounding one short blast on the air horn.
(4) Craft lockage-readiness signal. Upon query from Lock Master, a vessel operator will signal when he is properly moored and ready for the lockage to begin.
(e) Permissible dimensions of vessels. Nominal overall dimensions of vessels allowed in the lock chamber are 84 feet wide and 650 feet long. Depth of water in the lock depends upon river levels which may vary from day to day. Staff gauges showing the minimum water level depth over gate sills are located inside the lock chamber near each lock gate and outside the lock chamber near the end of both upstream and downstream guide walls, except at Bonneville where the staff gauges show water levels in feet above MSL and are located on the southern guide walls at the upstream and downstream miter gates. Bonneville's upstream sill elevation is 51 feet MSL and the downstream sill elevation is −12 feet MSL. Depth over sill at Bonneville is determined by subtracting the sill elevation from the gauge reading. Vessels shall not enter the navigation lock unless the vessel draft is at least one foot less than the water depth over the sill. Information concerning allowable draft for vessel passage through the locks may be obtained from the Lock Master. Minimum lock chamber water level depth is 15 feet except at Ice Harbor where it is 14 feet and at Bonneville where it is 19 feet. When the river flow at Lower Granite exceeds 330,000 cubic feet per second the normal minimum 15-foot depth may be decreased to as little as eight feet.
(f) Precedence at lock. Subject to the order of precedence, the vessel or tow arriving first; at the lock will be locked through first, however, this precedence may be modified at the discretion of the lockmaster. If immediate passage is required, lockage of vessels owned or operated by the United States shall take precedence. The precedence of all other vessels shall be as follows:
(1) When a recreational vessel lockage schedule is in effect, at the appointed time for lockage of recreation craft, recreation craft shall take precedence; however, commercial vessels may be locked through with recreation craft if safety and space permit. At other than the appointed time, the lockage of commercial and tow vessels shall take precedence and recreational craft may (only) lock through with commercial vessels only as provided in paragraph (h) of this section.
(2) If a recreational vessel lockage schedule is not in effect, commercial and tow vessels shall take precedence. Recreational craft may be locked through with commercial craft. If no commercial vessels are scheduled to be locked through within a reasonable time, not to exceed one hour after the arrival of the recreational vessels at the lock, the recreational vessel may be locked through separately. If a combined lockage cannot be arranged, the recreational craft shall be locked through after waiting three commercial lockages.
(g) Loss of turn. Vessels that fail to enter the lock with reasonable promptness, after being authorized to do so, shall lose their turn.
(h) Lockage—(1) Multiple lockage. The Lock Master shall decide whether one or more vessels or tows may be locked through at the same time. Vessels with flammable or highly hazardous cargo will be passed separately from all other vessels. Hazardous materials are described in part 171, title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. Flammable materials are defined in the National Fire Code of the National Fire Protection Association.
(2) Recreational craft. By mutual agreement of (all parties,) the lockmaster and the captains of the vessels involved, recreational vessels may be locked through with commercial vessels. Under the recreational vessel schedule, separate lockage will not be made by recreational vessels except in accordance with the recreational lockage schedule or when circumstances warrant, such as in an emergency. When recreational craft are locked simultaneously with commercial vessels, the recreational vessel will enter the lock chamber after the commercial vessel is secured in the chamber and when practicable will depart while the commercial vessel remains secured.
(3) Special schedules. Recreational boating groups may request special schedules by contacting the district engineer. The schedule for the daily lockage of recreational vessels will indicate the number of boats required for a special schedule and how many days' notice is required in order to arrange a special schedule.
(i) Mooring in approaches prohibited. Mooring or anchoring in the approaches to the lock is prohibited where such mooring will interfere with navigation.
(j) Waiting for lockage. Vessels waiting for lockage shall wait in the clear outside of the lock approach channel, or contingent upon permission by the Lock Master, may at their own risk, lie inside the approach channel at a place specified by the Lock Master. At Bonneville, vessels may at their own risk, lay-to at the downstream moorage facility on the north shore downstream from the north guide wall provided a 100-foot-wide open channel is maintained.
(k) Mooring in lock. All vessels must be moored within the lock chamber so that no portion of any vessel extends beyond the lines painted on the lock walls. Moorage within the lock chamber will be to floating mooring bits only and will be accomplished in a proper no-slip manner. Small vessels will not be locked with a large vessel unless the large vessel is so moored (two mooring bits) that no lateral movement is possible. The vessel operator will constantly monitor the position of his vessel and his mooring bit ties to assure that there is no fore or aft movement of his vessel and lateral movement is minimized. Propulsion by vessels within the lock chamber will not be permitted during closure operation of a lock chamber gate or as otherwise directed by the Lock Master.
(l) Crew to move craft. During the entire lockage, the vessel operator shall constantly attend the wheelhouse, be aware of the vessel's position, and monitor radio channel 14 on frequency 156.700 MHz, or otherwise be constantly able to communicate with the Lock Master. At a minimum, vessels shall be as vigilantly manned as if underway.
(m) Speed. Vessels shall be adequately powered to maintain a safe speed and be under control at all times. Vessels shall not be raced or crowded alongside another in the approach channels. When entering the lock, speed shall be reduced to a minimum consistent with safe navigation. As a general rule, when a number of vessels are entering the lock, the following vessel shall remain at least 200 feet astern of the vessel ahead.
(n) Delay in lock. Vessels shall not unnecessarily delay any operation of the locks.
(o) Landing of freight. No freight, baggage, personnel, or passengers shall be landed on or over the walls of the lock, except by permission and direction of the Lock Master.
(p) Damage to lock or other structures. The regulations in this section shall not relieve owners and/or operators of vessels from liability for any damage to the lock or other structures or for the immediate removal of any obstruction. No vessel in less than stable floating condition or having unusual sinking potential shall enter the locks or its approaches. Vessels must use great care not to strike any part of the lock, any gate or appurtenance thereto, or machinery for operating the gates, or the walls protecting the banks of the approach channels. All vessels with projecting irons, or rough surfaces which may damage the gates or lock walls, shall not enter the lock unless provided with suitable buffers and fenders. Vessels having chains, lines, or drags either hanging over the sides or ends or dragging on the bottom for steering or other purposes will not be permitted to pass.
(q) Tows. Prior to a lockage, the person in charge of a vessel towing a second vessel by lines shall, at a safe distance outside of the incoming approach channel, secure the second vessel to the towing vessel and keep it secured during the entire course of a lockage and until safely clear of the outgoing approach channel.
(r) Violation of regulations. Any violation of these regulations may subject the owner or master of any vessel to any or all of the following: (1) Penalties prescribed by law of the U.S. Government (33 U.S.C. part 1); (2) Report of violation to the titled owner of the vessel; (3) Report of violation to the U.S. Coast Guard; (4) Refusal of lockage at the time of violation.
(s) Refuse in locks. No material of any kind shall be thrown or discharged into the lock, or be deposited in the lock area. Vessels leaking or spilling cargo will be refused lockage and suitable reports will be made to the U.S. Coast Guard. Deck cargo will be so positioned so as not to be subject to falling overboard.
(t) Handling valves, gates, bridges, and machinery. No person, unless authorized by the Lock Master, shall open or close any bridge, gate, valve, or operate any machinery in connection with the lock. However, the Lock Master may call for assistance from the master of any vessel using the lock, should such aid be necessary; and when rendering such assistance, the person so employed shall be directly under the orders of the Lock Master. Masters of vessels refusing to provide such assistance when it is requested of them may be denied the use of the lock by the Lock Master.
(u)-(v) [Reserved]
(w) Restricted areas. No vessel shall enter or remain in any restricted area at any time without first obtaining permission from the District Engineer, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, or his duly authorized representative.
(1) At Bonneville Lock and Dam. The water restricted to all vessels, except Government vessels, are described as all waters of the Columbia River and Bradford Slough within 1,000 feet above the first powerhouse, spillway, and second powerhouse (excluding the new navigation lock channel) and all waters below the first powerhouse, spillway, second powerhouse, and old navigation lock. This is bounded by a line commencing from the westernmost tip of Robins Island on the Oregon side of the river and running in a South 65 degrees West direction a distance of approximately 2,100 feet to a point 50 feet upstream of the Hamilton Island Boat Ramp on the Washington shore. Signs designate the restricted areas. The approach channel to the new navigation lock is outside the restricted area.
(2) At the Dalles Dam. The waters restricted to only Government vessels are described as all downstream waters other than those of the navigation lock downstream approach channel which lie between the Wasco County Bridge and the project axis including those waters between the powerhouse and the Oregon shore and all upstream waters other than those of the navigation lock upstream approach channel which lie between the project axis and a line projected from the upstream end of the navigation lock guide wall to the junction of the concrete structure with the earth fill section of the dam near the upstream end of the powerhouse.
(3) At the John Day Dam. The waters restricted to only Government vessels are described as all of the waters within a distance of about 1,000 yards above the dam lying south of the navigation channel leading to the lock and bounded by a line commencing at the upstream end of the guide wall, and running in a direction 54°01′37″ true for a distance of 771 yards, thence 144°01′37″ true across the river to the south shoreline. The downstream limit is marked by orange and white striped monuments on the north and south shores.
(4) At McNary Lock and Dam. The waters restricted to all vessels, except to Government vessels, are described as all waters commencing at the upstream end of the Oregon fish ladder thence running in the direction of 39°28′ true for a distance of 540 yards; thence 7°49′ true for a distance of 1,078 yards; thence 277°10′ for a distance of 468 yards to the upstream end of the navigation lock guidewall. The downstream limits commence at the downstream end of the navigation lock guidewall thence to the south (Oregon) shore at right angles and parallel to the axis of the dam. Signs designate the restricted areas.
(5) At Ice Harbor Lock and Dam. The waters restricted to all vessels, except Government vessels, are described as all waters within a distance of about 800 yards upstream of the dam lying south of the navigation lock and bound by the line commencing at the upstream end of the guidewall, and running a direction of 91°10′ true for a distance of 575 yards; thence 162°45′ to the south shore, a distance of about 385 yards. The downstream limits commencing at the downstream end of the guidewall; thence to the south shore, at right angles and parallel to the axis of the dam. Signs designate the restricted areas.
(6) At Lower Monumental Lock and Dam. The waters restricted to all vessels, except Government vessels, are described as all waters commencing at the upstream of the navigation lock guidewall and running in a direction of 46°25′ true for a distance of 344 yards; thence 326°19′ true for a distance of 362 yards; thence 243°19′ true for a distance of 218 yards; thence 275°59′ true to the north shore a distance of about 290 yards. The downstream limits commence at the downstream end of the navigation lock guidewall; thence to the north shore, at right angles and parallel to the axis of the dam. Signs designate the restricted areas.
(7) At Little Goose Lock and Dam. The waters restricted to all vessels, except Government vessels, are described as all waters commencing at the upstream of the navigation lock guidewall and running in a direction of 60°37′ true for a distance of 676 yards; thence 345°26′ true for a distance of 494 yards; thence 262°37′47″ true to the dam embankment shoreline. The downstream limits commence 512 yards downstream and at right angles to the axis of the dam on the south shore; thence parallel to the axis of the dam to the north shore. Signs designate the restricted areas.
(8) At Lower Granite Lock and Dam. The waters restricted to all vessels, except Government vessels, are described as all waters commencing at the upstream of the navigation lock guidewall thence running in the direction of 131°31′ true for a distance of 608 yards; thence 210°46′ true to the south shore, a distance of about 259 yards. The downstream limits commence at the downstream end of navigation lock guidewall; thence to the south shore, at right angles and parallel to the axis of the dam. Signs designate the restricted areas.
§ 207.750 - Puget Sound Area, Wash.
(a) Waterway connecting Port Townsend and Oak Bay; use, administration and navigation—(1) Works to which the regulations apply. The “canal grounds” when used in this paragraph shall mean that area between the south end of the jetties in Oak Bay and the northern end of the dredge channel approximately 400 yards northwest of Port Townsend Canal Light. The “canal” is the water lying between these limits and the banks containing the same.
(2) [Reserved]
(3) Trading, landing, etc. No business, loading, or landing of freight or baggage will be allowed on or over the canal piers or bulkheads.
(4) Refuse. No person shall throw material of any kind into the canal.
(5) [Reserved]
(6) Obstructions. On the canal's being obstructed by a vessel, raft, or other craft, by sinking, grounding, or otherwise, the District Engineer, Seattle, shall be notified by telephone or telegraph as soon as possible by the person in charge of the obstructing vessel, raft, or craft.
(b) Lake Washington Ship Canal; use, administration and navigation—(1) Definitions. The term “canal” as used in the regulations in this paragraph shall include the water area in the locks and the channel and adjacent waters from a point 5,500 feet northwest of the Burlington Northern, Inc. railway bridge to the east end of the channel opposite Webster Point, Lake Washington. The term “canal grounds” shall include all grounds set aside for the use of the canal or occupied in its construction.
(2) Supervision. The canal and all its appurtenances shall be under the supervision of the District Engineer, Corps of Engineers, Seattle. The District Engineer will detail as many assistants as may be necessary for the efficient operation of the canal and the enforcement of the regulations in this paragraph. The movement of all vessels and other floating things in the canal and approaches thereto shall be under the direction of the District Engineer and his authorized assistants. All orders given under the regulations to any master or person in charge of any vessel, raft, or other watercraft by the District Engineer or his authorized assistants, either in person or through any canal operative, shall be acknowledged and obeyed. Failure to see, understand, or comply with signals or instructions shall constitute a violation of the regulations. Any person refusing to comply with the regulations or any orders given in pursuance thereof may be denied the privileges of the canal or canal grounds.
(3) Speed. To avoid damage to other vessels and to property along the shores, all vessels shall proceed at reduced speed in the canal as follows:
(i) From the west entrance of the Lake Washington Ship Canal to the western end of the west guide pier of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, and from the east end of the easternmost guide pier of said Locks to the white flashing dolphin located south of Webster Point on Lake Washington, including all of Salmon Bay, Lake Union, Portage Bay, and Union Bay, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate any watercraft or vessel at a speed in excess of 7 nautical miles per hour within 200 feet of any shoreline, pier, restricted area or shore installation.
(ii) From the western end of the aforesaid west guide pier to the eastern end of the aforesaid east guide pier at said Locks, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate any watercraft or vessel at a speed in excess of 4 nautical miles per hour.
Signs are located along the canal to indicate permissible speeds.
(4) Traffic signal lights. In addition to the lock signal lights described in paragraph (g)(5)(ii) of this section, a red light, and a green light are installed on the west side of the Ballard Bridge, on the east side of the Fremont Bridge, 1,000 feet west of the Montlake Bridge, and 1,000 feet east of the Montlake Bridge, for the guidance of vessels approaching the sections of the canal between Salmon Bay and Lake Union and between Lake Union and Lake Washington, respectively. Vessels of 300 gross tons and over and all vessels with tows, except as hereinafter provided, shall not pass the red lights. The green lights will indicate that vessels may proceed. Vessels of less than 300 gross tons without tows may disregard these signals, but they shall travel at very slow speed when passing other vessels. Vessels of 300 gross tons and over and vessels with tows, except logs, whose destination is easterly between the Ballard Bridge and a point 2,500 feet east of the Ballard Bridge, may pass the red signals on the Ballard Bridge, provided, such passage will not interfere with approaching traffic.
(5) Approaching and passing through locks—(i) Signals for locks. Vessels with tows desiring to use the locks shall so indicate by two long and three short blasts of a whistle, horn, or megaphone. All other vessels desiring to use the locks shall so indicate by two long and two short blasts.
The term “long blasts” means blasts of four seconds duration, and the term “short blasts” means blasts of one second duration. Signals for the opening of drawbridges are prescribed in § 117.795 of chapter I.
(ii) Lock signal lights. Red and green signal lights are installed on the guide pier west of the Burlington Northern, Inc. railway bridge below the locks. The green light will indicate to vessels bound for the large lock that the lock has been made ready. If the red light is burning, vessels bound for the large lock shall moor at the pier. Vessels bound for the small lock shall be guided into the small lock by traffic signals thereon. The masters of all vessels approaching the locks from Puget Sound shall be alert to receive and shall immediately comply with instructions by voice or signal from the employee on the west pier.
(iii) Precedence at locks. All vessels approaching the locks shall stop at the points indicated by signs placed on the canal piers or as directed by a lockman until ordered to proceed into the lock. Unless otherwise directed by the District Engineer or his authorized assistants, vessels owned or operated by the United States or the City of Seattle and passenger vessels operating on a regular schedule shall have precedence over all others in passing through the locks. Registered merchant vessels shall have precedence over pleasure craft, which shall pass through in the order of their arrival at the locks, and both shall have precedence over vessels towing floated timber or logs. Tows of floated timber and logs may be denied the use of the locks during certain hours when both locks are busy passing other traffic. However, advance notice will be given towboat companies as to the periods when log tows will be denied lockage.
(iv) Entering locks. Masters of vessels shall exercise the greatest care when entering either lock. The forward movement of vessels while taking position in the locks shall be very slow, and boats entering the small lock shall reduce their speed to not more than two and one-half miles per hour when within 200 feet of the outer gate and come to practically a full stop before entering the lock so that in case the engine mechanism fails to operate properly the momentum of the boat may be stopped easily by its lines. The masters of vessels entering either lock from either direction shall be alert to receive and shall immediately comply with instructions by voice or signal from the lock attendants.
(v) Mooring in locks. Vessels entering the locks shall be equipped with adequate lines, at least 50 feet in length being required fore and aft. While in the large lock vessels and rafts will be moored at the top of the lock wall. While in the small lock vessels shall be moored to the floating mooring wall. Lines shall not be released until the signal has been given by the lock force to leave the lock, after which there shall be no delay in leaving. All vessels not equipped to handle tie-up lines with power winches shall be equipped with suitable mooring lines of manila, or other suitable fiber, of sufficient size and strength to hold the vessel against the currents to be met within the lock chamber. The use of wire rope for tie-up by vessels not equipped to handle such lines with power winches is prohibited. Vessels may be denied the use of the locks if their lines are not in good condition, or if the mooring bits on barges are not accessible or are not equipped to prevent lines from slipping off when the water is lowered in the lock. All vessels entering the locks should have, in addition to the master, at least one person on deck to handle lines. Mates and deckhands, when preparing to moor within the lock chambers, should not throw heavy mooring lines at the lockmen on the walls, but should wait for a heaving lie to be passed to them unless otherwise directed. All towboat crews, while locking or moving a tow out of the lock chamber, should station themselves so as to preclude the possibility of being injured by the parting of cable or lines under strain. Persons attempting to take vessels through the locks without assistance on deck may be required to wait until the lock is clear of other traffic before passing through. All operators of vessels are especially cautioned to use extreme care while crowded in the locks to avoid accident or fire on their boats. Under no circumstances will small craft, such as rowboats, launches and houseboats, or any other type of pleasure boats, be locked through with barges used for carrying any type of petroleum product or other hazardous material. At the discretion of the lockmaster, small craft as described above may be locked through with barge tows containing other than dangerous material. Operators of small vessels and larger vessels operating in the proximity of each other shall be alert to the danger arising from the limited maneuverability of the larger vessels, and shall exercise all precautions to prevent accident.
(6) Damage to locks or other structures. (i) The regulations in this paragraph shall not affect the liability of the owners and operators of vessels for any damage caused by their operations to the locks or other structures. The sides and corners of all vessels and rafts passing through the locks should be free from spikes or projections of any kind which might damage the locks or other structures. Vessels with appurtenances or projections which might damage the locks or other structures shall be fitted with adequate fenders. Lockage of leaking vessels or vessels with overhanging loads may be refused. Such barge or craft shall be moored in a location outside of the channel approach to the lock so as to not interfere with passing navigation. Vessels of unusual dimensions, or other characteristics which, in the opinion of the lockmaster, pose a threat to the integrity or safety of the locks or canal will be refused passage until written permission to pass is provided by the District Engineer. Sufficient written data and drawings shall be provided the District Engineer that an engineering determination can be made as to the safety of the vessel. The District Engineer shall have the right to inspect any such vessels prior to passage. The operators of all vessels shall use care to avoid striking the guide walls or other structures pertaining to the canal.
(ii) In the interest of safety and fire prevention, all woven rope fenders used with barges carrying flammable cargo should be water-soaked or otherwise fireproofed prior to entering the lock approaches.
(iii) Burning fenders should be dropped overboard immediately rather than being placed on the deck of a barge or towboat.
(iv) A minimum of one man with a portable fender shall be stationed at the head end of every tow of hazardous cargo and at the aft if the lockmaster so directs so as to protect the lock and guide walls from damage while entering or departing the lock structures.
(v) All cylinder or containers holding gases under pressure, or any other chemical or substance, shall be securely fastened to the hull of the vessel to prevent their rolling overboard into the lock chamber and becoming a hazard.
(vi) All containers holding paint, gasoline or other volatile materials shall be securely fastened with tight-fitting covers. To preclude a concentration of potentially explosive vapors, no paint will be allowed to be applied to the exterior of vessel hulls, houses, machinery, or other equipment while the vessels are in the lock chamber.
(vii) All hatches of tank barges must be closed prior to entering lock. Tank barges with open hatch or hatches will be denied lockage.
(viii) No smoking will be permitted aboard vessels with cargoes of fuel or explosives.
(ix) All vessels carrying hazardous cargoes shall so be identified with the lockmaster. They shall be in compliance with Department of Transportation (U.S. Coast Guard) regulations (CFR title 46, parts 30 thru 40, parts 146 thru 154, and 49 CFR parts 171 thru 179 and shall accordingly carry required markings. All DOT safety regulations for transit of hazardous cargoes shall be adhered to, whether or not specifically cited or duplicated herein.
(7) [Reserved]
(8) Rafts. (i) No log raft exceeding 700 feet in length or 76 feet in width shall pass through the canal. Boom sticks shall be smooth, with rounded ends, and securely tied together with cables, chains, or log swifters to prevent the raft from spreading while in the lock. Rafts containing logs that do not float above water for their entire length, or are in danger of being submerged when they enter fresh water, shall not be towed in the canal until such logs are securely fastened so as to prevent their escape from the raft.
(ii) Whenever required, log rafts passing in through the lock will be given a number that shall be fastened on one of the logs in the raft. This number will identify the raft and shall not be removed until the logs are used.
(iii) Two floats are maintained in Shilshole Bay near the entrance of the canal channel to facilitate the handling of logs in the canal. Rafts bound for the canal may be moored at one of these floats, only the portion of the raft that is to be taken through at a single lockage being brought into the canal. The remainder of the raft may be left at the float until the first portion has been towed to its destination above the lock.
(9) Tows. All vessels engaged in towing shall use tow lines of the least practicable length and shall have full control of their tows at all times. Towing more than one craft abreast is forbidden if the total width of the tow, including the towboat, exceeds 70 feet.
(10) Obstructing navigation. (i) All vessels and tows passing through the canal shall be kept as close as practicable to the center or, when safer, to the right side of the waterway, except when passing other craft or preparing to moor at a pier or wharf. Slowly moving log rafts, tows, or vessels shall, whenever practicable, pull out of the way when meeting other vessels or when other traffic proceeding in the same direction desires to pass. Vessels are forbidden to obstruct the canal in any way or to delay by slow passage through the canal the progress of other vessels. Small and readily maneuverable vessels operating in the vicinity of larger, less maneuverable vessels shall, in all cases, keep clear and operate with caution in order that the larger vessels may maintain safe steerage way and that hazards to all vessels may be reduced. All vessels shall operate with extreme caution and movements shall be made only when adequate precautions for the safety of other vessels and property are being effectively employed.
(ii) The placing of logs, vessels, or other floating objects within the limits of the dredged channels or anywhere in the canal where they may interfere with navigation to or from piers or industrial plants is prohibited.
(11) Turning. Vessels exceeding 100 feet in length shall not turn around, or attempt to turn around, in the concrete revetted portions of the canal at the Fremont Cut or Portage Cut sections of the canal.
(12) Excessive working of propellers or engines. Excessive working of the propellers of a vessel for purposes of testing or for other purposes when this creates objectionable or dangerous currents in the canal is forbidden. In case of grounding, the rapid or strong working of the vessel's engines is forbidden.
(13) Landing or mooring. No business, trading, or landing of passengers, freight, or baggage will be allowed on or over the canal piers or lock walls, or over the piers or grounds forming a part of the canal or its appurtenances. All persons in charge of or employed on any boat are prohibited from landing or mooring such boat at any of the canal piers, unless in transit through the canal or specially permitted to do so by the District Engineer or his authorized assistants.
(14) Deposit of refuse. The deposit, either from watercraft or from the shore, of any oil or refuse matter in the canal or upon the canal grounds is prohibited, nor shall water discharged from the side of a vessel be allowed to spill on the lock wall.
(15) Aids to navigation. Persons in charge of log rafts or other tows, and the masters of vessels and boats using the canal, shall keep a careful watch when passing buoys or other aids to navigation and promptly report to the District Engineering or his authorized assistants any displacement or damage to such aids.
Aids to navigation and other related data are shown on Nautical Chart No. 18447 published by the National Ocean Survey.
(16) Operation of salt water barrier in the large lock of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. (i) A salt water barrier is installed across the east end of the large lock. This barrier, while in the depressed position, reduces the depth of the water available at the east end of this chamber from 36 feet to 33.75 feet at low lake elevation (20 feet above MLLW). In the raised position, the depth of water will be reduced to 16 feet. In comparison, the depth of water available for navigation at the west end of the large lock chamber is 29 feet at mean lower low water. The purpose of this barrier is to reduce salt water intrusion into Lake Washington through normal operations of the locks.
(ii) The least depth of water available over the barrier when raised will be shown on signs placed near the ends of the guide piers to the large lock. A yellow light mounted on these signs will be lighted only while the barrier is in a raised position.
(iii) Vessels transiting the lock from east to west having draft requirements that exceed the water depth available over the barrier will advise the lockmaster by sounding one long and two short blasts of a horn or whistle. When the yellow light is extinguished on the signboard, the operator of the vessel may assume the barrier has been lowered.
(iv) Vessels transiting the lock from west to east having draft requirements that exceed the depth available over the intrusion barrier will advise the lockmaster by sounding one long and two short blasts of a horn or whistle. A yellow light mounted on a standard on the south lock wall and opposite the intrusion barrier will be lighted only when the barrier is in the raised position.
(v) It shall be the responsibility of the vessel operator to satisfy himself of the position of this barrier prior to passing over it.
(c) West Waterway, Seattle Harbor; navigation. (1) The movement of vessels of 250 gross tons or over and all vessels with tows of any kind through the narrow section of West Waterway between the bend at Fisher's Flour Mill dock and the bend at the junction of East Waterway with Duwamish Waterway, and through the draws of the City of Seattle and Northern Pacific Railway Company bridges crossing this narrow section, shall be governed by red and green traffic signal lights mounted on the north and south sides of the west tower of the City Light power crossing at West Spokane Street.
(2) Two green lights, one vertically above the other, displayed ahead of a vessel, shall indicate that the waterway is clear. Two red lights, one vertically above the other, displayed ahead of a vessel, shall indicate that the waterway is not clear.
(3) A vessel approaching the narrow section and drawbridges from either end of the waterway shall give one long blast of a whistle and shall not enter the narrow section until green lights are displayed.
(4) One vessel may follow another vessel in either direction, but the channel shall not be kept open in the same direction for an unreasonable time if a vessel is waiting at the other end.
(5) Tugs, launches, and small craft shall keep close to one side of the channel when vessels or boats with tows are passing.
(6) All craft shall proceed with caution. The display of a green light is not a guarantee that the channel is clear of traffic, and neither the United States nor the City of Seattle will be responsible for any damage to vessels or other property which may be chargeable to mistakes in the operation of the signal lights or to their failure to operate.
§ 207.800 - Collection of navigation statistics.
(a) Definitions. For the purpose of this regulation the following terms are defined:
(1) Navigable waters of the United States means those waters of the United States that are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide shoreward to the mean high water mark, and/or are presently used, or have been used in the past, or may be susceptible to use to transport interstate or foreign commerce. (See 33 CFR part 329 for a more complete definition of this term.)
(2) Offenses and Violations mean:
(i) Failure to submit a required report.
(ii) Failure to provide a timely, accurate, and complete report.
(iii) Failure to submit monthly listings of idle vessels or vessels in transit.
(iv) Failure to submit a report required by the lockmaster or canal operator.
(3) Leased or chartered vessel means a vessel that is leased or chartered when the owner relinquishes control of the vessel through a contractual agreement with a second party for a specified period of time and/or for a specified remuneration from the lessee. Commercial movements on an affreightment basis are not considered a lease or charter of a particular vessel.
(4) Person or entity means an individual, corporation, partnership, or company.
(5) Timely means vessel and commodity movement data must be received by the Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center within 30 days after the close of the month in which the vessel movement or nonmovement takes place.
(6) Commercial vessel means a vessel used in transporting by water, either merchandise or passengers for compensation or hire, or in the course of business of the owner, lessee, or operator of the vessel.
(7) Reporting situation means a vessel movement by an operator that is required to be reported. Typical examples are listed in the instructions on the various ENG Forms. Five typical movements that are required to be reported by vessel operating companies include the following examples:
(i) Lease/Charter: If Company A leases or charters the barge to Company B, then Company B is responsible for reporting the movements of the barge until the lease/charter expires.
(ii) Interline movement: A barge is towed from Minneapolis to Cairo by Company A, and from Cairo to New Orleans by Company B. Since Company A is the barge owner, and the barge is not leased. Company A reports the entire movement of the barge with an origin of Minneapolis and a destination of New Orleans.
(iii) Vessel swap/trade: Company A swaps barge with Company B to allow Company B to meet a delivery commitment to New Orleans. Since Company A has not leased/chartered the barge, Company A is responsible for filing the report. Company B is responsible for filing the report on the barge which is traded to Company A. The swap or trade will not affect the primary responsibility for reporting the individual vessel movements.
(iv) Re-Consignment: Barge is reconsigned to Mobile, AL. Company A reports the movements as originating in Minneapolis and terminating in Mobile. The point from which barge is reconsigned is not reported, only points of loading and unloading.
(v) Fleeting: Barge is deposited at a New Orleans fleeting area by Company A and towed by Company B from fleeting area to New Orleans area dock for unloading. Company A, as barge owner, reports entire movements from Minneapolis to the unloading dock in New Orleans. Company B does not report any barge movement.
(b) Implementation of the waterborne commerce statistics provisions of the River and Harbor Act of 1922, as amended by the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-662), mandates the following.
(1) Filing requirements. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the person or entity receiving remuneration for the movement of vessels or for the transportation of goods or passengers on the navigable waters is responsible for assuring that the activity report of commercial vessels is timely filed.
(i) For vessels under lease/charter agreements, the lessee or charterer of any commercial vessel engaged in commercial transportation will be responsible for the filing of said reports until the lease/charter expires.
(ii) The vessel owner, or his designated agent, is always the responsible party for ensuring that all commercial activity of the vessel is timely reported.
(2) The following Vessel Information Reports are to be filed with the Army Corps of Engineers, at the address specified on the ENG Form, and are to include:
(i) Monthly reports. These reports shall be made on ENG Forms furnished upon written request of the vessel operating companies to the Army Corps of Engineers. The forms are available at the following address: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center, Post Office Box 61280, New Orleans, Louisiana 70161-1280.
(A) All movements of domestic waterborne commercial vessels shall be reported, including but not limited to: Dry cargo ship and tanker moves, loaded and empty barge moves, towboat moves, with or without barges in tow, fishing vessels, movements of crew boats and supply boats to offshore locations, tugboat moves and movements of newly constructed vessels from the shipyard to the point of delivery.
(B) Vessels idle during the month must also be reported.
(C) Notwithstanding the above requirements, the following waterborne vessel movements need not be reported:
(1) Movements of recreational vessels.
(2) Movements of fire, police, and patrol vessels.
(3) Movements of vessels exclusively engaged in construction (e.g., piledrivers and crane barges).
(4) Movements of dredges to or from the dredging site. However, vessel movements of dredged material from the dredging site to the disposal site must be reported.
(5) Specific movements granted exemption in writing by the Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center.
(D) ENG Forms 3925 and 3925b shall be completed and filed by vessel operating companies each month for all voyages or vessel movements completed during the month. Vessels that did not complete a move during the month shall be reported as idle or in transit.
(E) The vessel operating company may request a waiver from the Army Corps of Engineers, and upon written approval by the Waterborne Commerce Center, the company may be allowed to provide the requisite information of the above paragraph (D), on computer printouts, magnetic tape, diskettes, or alternate medium approved by the Center.
(F) Harbor Maintenance Tax information is required on ENG Form 3925 for cargo movements into or out of ports that are subject to the provisions of section 1402 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-662).
(1) The name of the shipper of the commodity, and the shipper's Internal Revenue Service number or Social Security number, must be reported on the form.
(2) If a specific exemption applies to the shipper, the shipper should list the appropriate exemption code. The specific exemption codes are listed in the directions for ENG Form 3925.
(3) Refer to 19 CFR part 24 for detailed information on exemptions and ports subject to the Harbor Maintenance Tax.
(ii) Annual reports. Annually an inventory of vessels available for commercial carriage of domestic commerce and vessel characteristics must be filed on ENG Forms 3931 and 3932.
(iii) Transaction reports. The sale, charter, or lease of vessels to other companies must also be reported to assure that proper decisions are made regarding each company's duty for reporting vessel movements during the year. In the absence of notification of the transaction, the former company of record remains responsible until proper notice is received by the Corps.
(iv) Reports to lockmasters and canal operators. Masters of self-propelled non-recreational vessels which pass through locks and canals operated by the Army Corps of Engineers will provide the data specified on ENG Forms 3102b, 3102c, and/or 3102d to the lockmaster, canal operator, or his designated representative in the manner and detail dictated.
(c) Penalties for noncompliance. The following penalties for noncompliance can be assessed for offenses and violations.
(1) Criminal penalties. Every person or persons violating the provisions of this regulation shall, for each and every offenses, be liable to a fine of not more than $5,000, or imprisonment not exceeding two months, to be enforced in any district court in the United States within whose territorial jurisdiction such offense may have been committed.
(2) In addition, any person or entity that fails to provide timely, accurate, and complete statements or reports required to be submitted by the regulation in this section may also be assessed a civil penalty of up to $6,975 per violation under 33 U.S.C. 555,as.
(3) Denial of passage. In addition to these fines, penalties, and imprisonments, the lockmaster or canal operator can refuse to allow vessel passage.
(d) Enforcement policy. Every means at the disposal of the Army Corps of Engineers will be utilized to monitor and enforce these regulations.
(1) To identify vessel operating companies that should be reporting waterborne commerce data, The Corps will make use of, but is not limited to, the following sources.
(i) Data on purchase and sale of vessels.
(ii) U.S. Coast Guard vessel documentation and reports.
(iii) Data collected at Locks, Canals, and other facilities operated by the Corps.
(iv) Data provided by terminals on ENG Form 3926.
(v) Data provided by the other Federal agencies including the Internal Revenue Service, Customs Service, Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation, and Department of Commerce.
(vi) Data provided by ports, local facilities, and State or local governments.
(vii) Data from trade journals and publications.
(viii) Site visits and inspections.
(2) Notice of violation. Once a reporting violation is determined to have occurred, the Chief of the Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center will notify the responsible party and allow 30 days for the reports to be filed after the fact. If the reports are not filed within this 30-day notice period, then appropriate civil or criminal actions will be undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers, including the proposal of civil or criminal penalties for noncompliance. Typical cases for criminal or civil action include, but are not limited to, those violations which are willful, repeated, or have a substantial impact in the opinion of the Chief of the Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center.
(3) Administrative assessment of civil penalties. Civil penalties may be assessed in the following manner.
(i) Authorization. If the Chief of the Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center finds that a person or entity has failed to comply with any of the provisions specified herein, he is authorized to assess a civil penalty in accordance with the Class I penalty provisions of 33 CFR part 326. Provided, however, that the procedures in 33 CFR part 326 specifically implementing the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(g)(4)), public notice, comment period, and state coordination, shall not apply.
(ii) Initiation. The Chief of the Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center will prepare and process a proposed civil penalty order which shall state the amount of the penalty to be assessed, describe by reasonable specificity the nature of the violation, and indicate the applicable provisions of 33 CFR part 326.
(iii) Hearing requests. Recipients of a proposed civil penalty order may file a written request for a hearing or other proceeding. This request shall be as specified in 33 CFR part 326 and shall be addressed to the Director of the Water Resources Support Center, Casey Building, Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060-5586, who will provide the requesting person or entity with a reasonable opportunity to present evidence regarding the issuance, modification, or revocation of the proposed order. Thereafter, the Director of the Water Resources Center shall issue a final order.
(4) Additional remedies. Appropriate cases may also be referred to the local U.S. Attorney for prosecution, penalty collection, injunctive, and other relief by the Chief of the Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center.