[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 9, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24598-24599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11302]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

33 CFR Part 84

Coast Guard

[CGD 95-037]


Adequacy of Barge and Tug Navigation Lights

agency: Coast Guard, DOT.

action: Request for comments.

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summary: Concern has been expressed that current lighting requirements 
are not adequate for towing vessels and vessels under tow. The Coast 
Guard also receives frequent requests for clarification of lighting 
requirements. Therefore, it has asked the Navigation Safety Advisory 
Council (NAVSAC) to review this issue. It also solicits public comments 
on the need for possible changes to or clarification of lighting 
requirements.

dates: Written comments must be received not later than September 6, 
1995.

addresses: Written comments may be mailed to the Executive Secretary, 
Marine Safety Council (G-LRA), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 Second Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20593-0001, or may be delivered to room 3406 at the same 
address between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments will become part of this docket and will be 
available for inspection or copying at room 3406, Coast Guard 
Headquarters, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.

for further information contact: Ms. Margie G. Hegy, Executive 
Director, Navigation Safety Advisory Council, phone (202) 267-0415. 
This telephone is equipped to take messages on a 24-hour basis.

supplementary information: The Inland Navigation Rules (Navigation 
Rules) are set forth in 33 U.S.C. 2001 et seq. Lighting requirements 
for towing vessels and vessels under tow are contained in Rule 24, 33 
U.S.C. 2024. Under 33 U.S.C. 2071, the Secretary of Transportation may 
issue regulations to implement and interpret the Navigation Rules. The 
Secretary is also directed to establish technical annexes. The 
technical annex for lighting requirements is contained in 33 CFR Part 
84. This annex specifies placement requirements for lights, including 
placement of lights on towing vessels and vessels under tow.
    Safety concerns associated with towing operations and small craft 
traffic have been raised in recent years in several publications, 
including the American Boat and Yacht Council Newsletter, U.S. Coast 
Guard boating Safety Circulars, America's Inland and Coastal Tug and 
Barge Operators pamphlet ``Life Lines'', and various yachting 
magazines. The safety aspects of barge lighting were discussed at the 
May 1994 meeting of the National Boating Safety Advisory Council 
(NBSAC). At its November 1994 meeting, NAVSAC was also asked to 
consider whether current tug and tow lighting requirements are 
adequate.
    After considerable discussion, NAVSAC concluded that additional 
information was needed to determine whether there was an actual 
problem, and, if so, possible solutions. the Council unanimously passed 
a resolution requesting that the Coast Guard solicit public comments on 
whether towing vessels and vessels being towed are sufficiently lighted 
while underway.
    In addition to other information you may wish to provide, NAVSAC is 
particularly interested in receiving comments regarding the lighting of 
barges towed astern. There has been concern that an approaching vessel 
could misinterpret prescribed lighting and not realize the presence of 
a towing hawser. The length of the hawser can be considerable, up to 
one-half mile in some waters, and the positions of the barge(s) are not 
always directly astern of the towing vessel. Barges towed astern are 
currently lighted with sidelights and a stern light only, the same as a 
sailing vessel, while barges pushed ahead or towed alongside also carry 
a ``special yellow flashing'' light forward.
    One suggestion under consideration by NAVSAC is extending the 
requirement for a yellow flashing light to barges towed astern. After 
an approaching vessel identifies that a barge is under tow it will be 
able to determine the location of the towing hawser.
    Another suggestion is that a towing vessel towing astern be 
required to show [[Page 24599]] three masthead lights regardless of the 
length of the tow. This would clearly indicate that a hawser is in use. 
The two masthead lights would be reserved for a towing vessel pushing 
ahead or towing alongside. Currently, three masthead lights are shown 
only if the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters--if less than 200 
meters, two masthead lights are carried, the same as when pushing ahead 
or towing alongside.
    Barges pushed ahead or towed alongside are also of concern because 
of the large expanse of hull with no lights. The Coast Guard routinely 
receives requests for clarification of Rule 24(f), usually in 
conjunction with a specific scenario/lighting scheme that has been 
observed or a proposed lighting scheme.
    Comments should clearly describe any problems associated with barge 
lighting and, if possible, provide potential solutions. The Coast Guard 
is particularly interested in recommendations that would not require 
amendment of the Navigation Rules. The Coast Guard also desires to 
ensure conformity with the International Rules. In adopting the 
International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 
COLREGS), the United States not only agreed that its vessels would 
abide by those regulations when in international waters, but also that 
any special rules adopted by the United States for use on waterways 
connected with the high seas and navigable by seagoing vessels would 
``conform as closely as possible to these rules'' (72 COLREGS, Rule 1).
    Comments received in response to this notice will be considered by 
the Coast Guard and NAVSAC. A Rules of the Road Committee will convene 
at the next Council meeting, tentatively scheduled to be held in New 
Orleans, LA on November 10-12, 1995, to continue discussions on this 
issue. This meeting will be announced by a notice in the Federal 
Register.

    Dated: May 2, 1995.
G.A. Penington,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Chief, Office of Navigation Safety and 
Waterway Services.
[FR Doc. 95-11302 Filed 5-8-95; 8:45 am]
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