Chapter 1501:47-2 | Rules of Navigation

Rule 1501:47-2-03 | Definitions for rules 1501:47-2-01 to 1501:47-2-36 of the Administrative Code.

• Effective: August 8, 2014
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

For the purpose of rules 1501:47-2-01 to 1501:47-2-36 of the Administrative Code, except where the context otherwise requires, the definitions are as follows:

(A) "Vessel" includes every description of watercraft, including nondisplacement craft and seaplanes, including wing-in-ground craft, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water.

(B) "Power-driven vessel" means any vessel propelled by machinery, fuel, rockets, or similar device.

(C) "Sailing vessel" means any vessel under sail provided that all propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used.

(D) "Vessel engaged in fishing" means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls, or other fishing apparatus which restricts maneuverability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict maneuverability or fishing vessels engaged in recreational fishing.

(E) "Seaplanes" includes any aircraft designed to maneuver on the water.

(F) "Wing-in-Ground craft" (WIG) means a multimodal craft which, in its main operational mode, flies in close proximity to the surface by utilizing surface-effect action.

(G) "Vessel not under command" means a vessel which through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by these rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.

(H) "Vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver" means a vessel which from the nature of its work is restricted in its ability to maneuver as required by these rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel; vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver include, but are not limited to;

(1) A vessel engaged in laying, servicing, or picking up a navigation mark, submarine cable, or pipeline.

(2) A vessel engaged in dredging, surveying, or underwater operations.

(3) A vessel engaged in replenishment or transferring of persons, provisions, or cargo while underway.

(4) A vessel engaged in the launching or recovery of aircraft.

(5) A vessel engaged in minesweeping operations.

(6) A vessel engaged in a towing operation such as severely restricts the towing vessel and its tow in their ability to deviate from their course.

(I) "Underway" means that a vessel is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore or aground.

(J) "Length" and "breadth" of a vessel means its length overall and greatest breadth.

(K) "In sight of one another," vessels shall be deemed to be in sight of one another only when one can be observed visually from the other.

(L) "Restricted visibility" means any condition in which visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms, or any other similar causes.

(M) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department in which the United States coast guard is operating.

(N) "Waters" and "waters in this state" means all streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes, water courses, waterways, and all other bodies of water, natural or man-made, which are situated wholly or partially within this state or within its jurisdiction which are navigable or used for recreational boating.

(O) "Person" includes any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, or body politic, except, the United States and this state and includes any agent, trustee, executor, receiver, assignee, or other representative thereof.

(P) "Owner" includes any person who claims lawful possession of a vessel by virtue of legal title or equitable interest therein which entitled him to such possession.

(Q) "Operator" includes any person who navigates or has under his control a vessel on the waters in this state.

(R) "Navigable waters" means waters which come under the jurisdiction of the department of the army of the United States and any waterways within or adjacent to this state, except inland lakes having neither a navigable inlet or outlet.

(S) "Inland navigational rules act" hereinafter referred to as "I.N.R.A." means the "Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980," and any annexes thereto, 94 Stat. 3415, 33 U.S.C.A. 151, 1604, 1605, 1608, 2001 to 2008, and 2071 to 2073 and any amendments thereto.

No person shall operate or permit to be operated, any vessel on the waters in this state, in violation of this rule.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1547.52
Amplifies: 1547.52
Five Year Review Date:
Prior Effective Dates: 6/11/1990 (Emer.), 8/18/1991

Rule 1501:47-2-09 | Narrow channels.

• Effective: August 8, 2014
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A)

(1) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on its starboard side as is safe and practicable.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (A)(1) of this rule and paragraph (A) of rule 1501:47-2-14 of the Administrative Code, a power-driven vessel operating in narrow channels or fairways on lake Erie and its tributaries and the Ohio river and its tributaries and proceeding downbound with a following current shall have the right-of-way over an upbound vessel, shall propose the manner and place of passage, and shall initiate the maneuvering signals prescribed by paragraph (A)(1) of rule 1501:47-2-34 of the Administrative Code, as appropriate. The vessel proceeding upbound against the current shall hold as necessary to permit safe passing.

(B) A vessel of less than twenty meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel that can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.

(C) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway.

(D) A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within that channel or fairway. The latter vessel shall use the danger signal prescribed in paragraph (D) of rule 1501:47-2-34 of the Administrative Code if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel.

(E)

(1) In a narrow channel or fairway when overtaking, the vessel intending to overtake shall indicate its intention by sounding the appropriate signal prescribed in paragraph (C) of rule 1501:47-2-34 of the Administrative Code and take steps to permit safe passing. The overtaken vessel, if in agreement, shall sound the same signal. If in doubt it shall sound the danger signal prescribed in paragraph (D) of rule 1501:47-2-34 of the Administrative Code.

(2) This rule does not relieve the overtaking vessel of its obligation under rule 1501:47-2-13 of the Administrative Code.

(F) A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a narrow channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall navigate with particular alertness and caution and shall sound the appropriate signal prescribed in paragraph (E) of rule 1501:47-2-34 of the Administrative Code.

(G) Every vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid anchoring in a narrow channel.

(H) Vessels leaving a dock, boat slip, tie-up space, or mooring shall yield the right-of-way to all vessels approaching such dock, boat slip, tie-up space, or mooring.

No person shall operate or permit to be operated, any vessel on the waters in this state, in violation of this rule.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1547.52
Amplifies: 1547.52
Five Year Review Date:
Prior Effective Dates: 8/18/1991

Rule 1501:47-2-14 | Head-on situation.

• Effective: August 8, 2014
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Unless otherwise agreed, when two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision each shall alter its course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other.

(B) Such a situation shall be deemed to exist when a vessel sees the other ahead or nearly ahead and by night it could see the masthead lights of the other in a line or nearly in a line or both sidelights and by day it observes the corresponding aspect of the other vessel.

(C) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether such a situation exists it shall assume that it does exist and act accordingly.

(D) Notwithstanding paragraph (A) of this rule, a power-driven vessel operating on lake Erie and its tributaries, the Ohio river and its tributaries (or waters specified by the secretary) and proceeding downbound with a following current shall have the right-of-way over an upbound vessel, shall propose the manner of passage, and shall initiate the maneuvering signals prescribed by paragraph (A)(1) of rule 1501:47-2-34 of the Administrative Code, as appropriate.

No person shall operate or permit to be operated, any vessel on the waters in this state, in violation of this rule.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1547.52
Amplifies: 1547.52
Five Year Review Date:
Prior Effective Dates: 8/18/1991

Rule 1501:47-2-31 | Seaplanes and wing-in-ground craft.

• Effective: April 17, 2007
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

Where it is impracticable for a seaplane or wing-in-ground craft to exhibit lights and shapes of the characteristics or in the positions prescribed in the rules of this chapter it shall exhibit lights and shapes as closely similar in characteristics and position as is possible.

No person shall operate or permit to be operated, any vessel on the waters in this state, in violation of this rule.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1547.52
Amplifies: 1547.52
Five Year Review Date:
Prior Effective Dates: 8/24/1990

Rule 1501:47-2-33 | Equipment for sound signals.

• Effective: August 8, 2014
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Any vessel operating on the waters of this state shall be equipped with sound signaling devices as follows:

(1) A vessel of twelve meters or more in length shall be provided with a whistle.

(2) A vessel of twenty meters or more in length shall be provided with a bell in addition to the required whistle.

(3) A vessel of one hundred meters or more, in addition to the required whistle and bell, shall be provided with a gong, the tone and sound of which cannot be confused with that of the bell.

(B) Any whistle, bell, or gong shall comply with the specifications in annex III of the "I.N.R.A." The bell or gong or both may be replaced by other equipment having the same respective sound characteristics, provided that manual sounding of the prescribed signals shall always be possible.

(C) A vessel of less than twelve meters in length shall not be obliged to carry the sound signaling appliances prescribed in paragraph (A) of this rule but if it does not, it shall be provided with some other means of making an efficient sound signal.

(D) A vessel that is propelled by human muscular effort, a sailing vessel and a power-driven vessel less than sixteen feet in length, when using waters other than lake Erie, the Ohio river or the Muskingum river, shall not be obligated to carry the sound signaling appliances prescribed in paragraphs (A) and (B) of this rule or produce the sound signals prescribed in rules 1501:47-2-34 and 1501:47-2-35 of the Administrative Code.

No person shall operate or permit to be operated, any vessel on the waters in this state, in violation of this rule.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1547.52
Amplifies: 1547.52
Five Year Review Date: 3/1/2012