Rule 3 - Definitions

Inland & International

General definitions

Vessel - every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft and sea planes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

Power Driven Vessel - any vessel propelled by machinery

Sailing vessel - under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used

Vessel engaged in fishing - 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 does not restrict ability to maneuverability.

Seaplane - includes any aircraft designed to maneuver on the water

Vessel not under command - vessel which through some exceptional means is unable to maneuver as required by these rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel eg. rudder failure

Vessel restricted in ability to maneuver - vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability to maneuver. SHALL include but not limited to:

Underway - vessel not at anchor, or made fast to the shore or aground

Restricted visibility - Condition in which visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms, or any other similar causes

WIG - Wing in Ground, uses cushion of air to travel just above the waters surface

Length and breadth - Length overall and Greatest breadth

Vessels shall be deemed to be in sight of one another only when one can be observed visually from the other

Great Lakes - Great Lakes and their connecting tributary waters including the Calumet River as far as the Thomas J. O'Brien Lock and Controlling Works (between mile 326 and 327), the Chicago River as far as the east side of the Ashland Avenue Bridge (between mile 321 and 322), and the Saint Lawrence River as far east as the lower exit of Saint Lambert Lock.

Secretary - Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating.

Inland Waters - the navigable waters of the United States shoreward of the navigational demarcation lines dividing the high seas from harbors, rivers, and other inland waters of the United States and the waters of the Great Lakes on the United States side of the International Boundary

International

Vessel constrained by Draft - power-driven vessel which because of her draft in relation to the available depth and width of navigable water is severely restricted in her ability to deviate from the course she is following.