# 33 CFR § 161.13: VTS Special Area operating requirements

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-33-161.13

## Section

- **Citation:** 33 CFR § 161.13
- **Heading:** VTS Special Area operating requirements
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 33—Navigation and Navigable Waters > CHAPTER I—COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY > SUBCHAPTER P—PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY > PART 161—VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT > Subpart A—Vessel Traffic Services > Services, VTS Measures, and Operating Requirements

## Text

The following operating requirements apply within a VTS Special Area:
(a) A VTS User shall, if towing astern, do so with as short a hawser as safety and good seamanship permits.
(b) A VMRS User shall: (1) Not enter or get underway in the area without prior approval of the VTS;
(2) Not enter a VTS Special Area if a hazardous vessel operating condition or circumstance exists;
(3) Not meet, cross, or overtake any other VMRS User in the area without prior approval of the VTS; and
(4) Before meeting, crossing, or overtaking any other VMRS User in the area, communicate on the designated vessel bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone frequency, intended navigation movements, and any other information necessary in order to make safe passing arrangements. This requirement does not relieve a vessel of any duty prescribed by the International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS) or the Inland Navigation Rules.

## Nearby sections

- [33 CFR § 161.1 § 161.1 Purpose and Intent.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-33-161.1.md)
- [33 CFR § 161.2 § 161.2 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-33-161.2.md)
- [33 CFR § 161.3 § 161.3 Applicability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-33-161.3.md)
- [33 CFR § 161.4 § 161.4 Requirement to carry the rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-33-161.4.md)
- [33 CFR § 161.5 § 161.5 Deviations from the rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-33-161.5.md)
- [33 CFR § 161.6 § 161.6 Preemption.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-33-161.6.md)
- [33 CFR § 161.10 § 161.10 Services.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-33-161.10.md)
- [33 CFR § 161.11 § 161.11 VTS measures.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-33-161.11.md)
- [33 CFR § 161.12 § 161.12 Vessel operating requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-33-161.12.md)
- [33 CFR § 161.13 § 161.13 VTS Special Area operating requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-33-161.13.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-33-161.13. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.