# 33 CFR § 161.6: Preemption

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-33-161.6

## Section

- **Citation:** 33 CFR § 161.6
- **Heading:** Preemption
- **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 > General Rules

## Text

The regulations in this part have preemptive impact over State laws or regulations on the same subject matter. The Coast Guard has determined, after considering the factors developed by the Supreme Court in U.S. v. Locke, 529 U.S. 89 (2000), that by enacting 46 U.S.C. Chapter 700 'Ports and Waterways Safety', Congress intended that Coast Guard regulations preempt State laws or regulations regarding vessel traffic services in United States ports and waterways.
[USCG-1998-4399, 75 FR 66314, Oct. 28, 2010, as amended by USCG-2020-0304, 85 FR 58280, Sept. 18, 2020]

## 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)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-33-161.6. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.