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Rules of the Road

Important Inland versus International differences

Technical visualJurisdiction-dependent encounter
Jurisdiction-dependent encounterA crossing encounter is marked as U.S. Inland only, showing that a generic International diagram must not hide a distinct Inland provision.OWN VESSELU.S. INLAND
Jurisdiction-dependent encounterA crossing encounter is marked as U.S. Inland only, showing that a generic International diagram must not hide a distinct Inland provision.OWN VESSELU.S. INLAND
Jurisdiction label: U.S. Inland only. Check the applicable Rule before relying on a generic encounter diagram.

Topic International U.S. Inland
Constrained by draft Defined status No equivalent CbD status
Narrow channels General Rule 9 Additional river/downbound provisions
Head-on Rule 14 standard Includes Inland agreement/river provisions
Crossing Rule 15 standard Additional river-crossing provision
Maneuvering sound signals Primarily indicate action being taken Often indicate intention/agreement
Pushing/towing lights International Rule 24 pattern Certain stern/towing-light arrangements differ
Sailing under power day shape Cone apex down Vessels under 12 m exempt from displaying it
Certain small sailing/oared vessel light details International wording Inland wording differs
Special anchorage provisions International Rule 30 Inland designated-special-anchorage provisions
Constrained-by-draft lights/shapes Rule 28 Not applicable

Production rule: Any visual or drill affected by one of these differences must carry a visible jurisdiction label, not a hidden footnote.

2. LIGHTS & SHAPES

All Learn references