Table 4-1a. SELECTED GENERAL DEFINITIONS (Rule 3)
Vessel
Includes every description of water craft, including
non-displacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes, used
or capable of being used as a means of transportation
on water. (A wing-in-ground (WIG) vessel is capable of
operating completely above the surface of the water on a
dynamic air cushion created by aerodynamic lift due to the
ground effect between the vessel and the water’s surface.)
Power-Driven Vessel
Any vessel propelled by machinery. Note that a sail
vessel under machine propulsion is considered a power
driven vessel.
Sailing Vessel
Any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery,
if fitted, is not being used.
Vessel Engaged in Fishing
Any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls, or other fishing
apparatus which restricts maneuverability. This
DOES NOT include a vessel fishing with trolling lines;
this vessel has no special rights or privileges.
Seaplane
Any aircraft designed to maneuver on the water.
Vessel Not Under Command
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.
Vessel Restricted in Ability to Maneuver
A vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted
in her ability to maneuver as required by these Rules
and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of
another vessel. The term “vessels restricted in their ability
to maneuver” shall include but not be limited to:
(i) A vessel engaged in laying, servicing, or picking
up a navigational mark, submarine cable or pipeline;
(ii) A vessel engaged in dredging, surveying or underwater
operations;
(iii) A vessel engaged in replenishment or transferring
persons, provisions or cargo while underway;
(iv) A vessel engaged in the launching or recovery of
aircraft;
(v) A vessel engaged in mine clearance operations;
(vi) A vessel engaged in a towing operation that
severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in
their ability to deviate from their course.
Underway
A vessel that is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore,
or aground.
In Sight
Vessels shall be deemed to be in sight of one another
only when one can be observed visually from the other.
Restricted Visibility
Any condition in which visibility is restricted by fog,
mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms, or
similar causes.
Vessel Constrained by her Draft
A 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.
Right of Way—Special Circumstances (Rule 9)
A power-driven vessel operating in a narrow channel
or fairway on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or
waters specified by the Secretary, and proceeding downbound
with a following current shall have the right-ofway
over an upbound vessel, shall propose the manner
and place of passage, and shall initiate the maneuvering
whistle signals prescribed by Rule 34(a)(i), as
appropriate. The vessel proceeding upbound against
the current shall hold as necessary to permit safe passing.
(Note—Western Rivers is used to describe the
navigable waterways on the Mississippi River.)
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50 Chapter Two
Figure 4-2. Vessel restricted in ability to maneuver