Which waters are governed by the Inland Rules?

Which waters are governed by the Inland Rules?

• A. International waters
• B. All waters at sea
• C. Only coastal waters
• D. Inland waters of the United States

Answer: (D)

The main idea is where these navigation rules apply. The Inland Rules govern vessels on the United States’ inland waters—its navigable rivers, lakes, and connected waterways within U.S. territory (for example, the Mississippi River system and the Great Lakes and their channels). They’re used instead of the International Rules in those inland areas because traffic patterns there are different from the open sea. The International Rules cover international waters and the seas around coastal areas, so they don’t apply to these inland waters. So the correct understanding is that the Inland Rules govern the Inland waters of the United States.

The main idea is where these navigation rules apply. The Inland Rules govern vessels on the United States’ inland waters—its navigable rivers, lakes, and connected waterways within U.S. territory (for example, the Mississippi River system and the Great Lakes and their channels). They’re used instead of the International Rules in those inland areas because traffic patterns there are different from the open sea. The International Rules cover international waters and the seas around coastal areas, so they don’t apply to these inland waters. So the correct understanding is that the Inland Rules govern the Inland waters of the United States.