33 C.F.R. § 165.1181

Current through September 30, 2024

Section 165.1181 - San Francisco Bay Region, California-regulated navigation area

(a)Applicability. This section applies to all vessels unless otherwise specified.

(b)Deviations. The Captain of the Port, San Francisco Bay, or the Commanding Officer, Vessel Traffic Service San Francisco, as a representative of the Captain of the Port, may authorize a deviation from the requirements of this regulation when it is deemed necessary in the interests of safety.

(c)Regulated Navigation Areas -

(1)San Francisco Bay RNA.

(i) The following is a regulated navigation area-The waters bounded by a line connecting the following coordinates, beginning at:

37°47'18" N, 122°30'22" W; thence to 37°48'55" N, 122°31'41" W; thence along the shoreline to 37°50'38" N, 122°28'37" W; thence to 37°50'59" N, 122°28'00" W; thence to 37°51'45" N, 122°27'28" W; thence to 37°52'58" N, 122°26'06" W; thence to 37°51'53" N, 122°24'58" W; thence to 37°51'53" N, 122°24'00" W; thence to 37°51'40" N, 122°23'48" W; thence to 37°49'22" N, 122°23'48" W; thence to 37°48'20" N, 122°22'12" W; thence to 37°47'02" N, 122°21'33" W; thence to 37°47'02" N, 122°23'04" W; thence along the shoreline to the point of beginning.

Datum: NAD 83

(ii) The San Francisco Bay RNA consists of the following defined sub-areas:

(A)Golden Gate Traffic Lanes -

(1)Westbound traffic lane: Bounded by the Golden Gate precautionary area and the COLREGS Demarcation Line (33 CFR 80.1142 ), between the separation zone and a line connecting the following coordinates:

37°48'30" N, 122°31'22" W; thence to 37°49'03" N, 122°29'52" W.

Datum: NAD 83

(2)Eastbound traffic lane. Bounded by the COLREGS Demarcation Line (33 CFR 80.1142 ) and the Golden Gate precautionary area, between the separation zone and a line connecting the following coordinates:

37°47'50" N, 122°30'48" W; thence to 37°48'30" N, 122°29'29" W.

Datum: NAD 83

(3)Golden Gate Separation Zone: The area 75 yards each side of a line connecting the following coordinates:

37°48'08" N, 122°31'05" W; thence to 37°48'46" N, 122°29'40" W.

Datum: NAD 83

(B)Golden Gate Precautionary Area: An area bounded by a line connecting the following coordinates beginning at:

37°48'30" N, 122°29'29" W; thence to 37°48'52" N, 122°28'41" W; thence to 37°48'52" N, 122°27'49" W; thence to 37°49'36" N, 122°27'46" W; thence to 37°49'55" N, 122°28'09" W; thence to 37°49'28" N, 122°28'45" W; thence to 37°49'03" N, 122°29'52" W; thence returning to the point of beginning.

Datum: NAD 83

(C)Central Bay Traffic Lanes -

(1) Westbound traffic lane: Bounded by the Central Bay precautionary area and the Golden Gate precautionary area, between the Central Bay and the Deep Water Traffic Lane separation zones.

(2)Eastbound traffic lane: Bounded by the Golden Gate precautionary area and the Central Bay precautionary area, between the Central Bay Separation Zone and a line connecting the following coordinates, beginning at:

37°48'41" N, 122°25'17" W; thence to 37°48'50" N, 122°26'14" W; thence to 37°48'52" N, 122°27'49" W.

Datum: NAD 83

(3)Deep Water (two-way) Traffic Lane: Bounded by the Central Bay precautionary area and the Golden Gate precautionary area, between the Deep Water Traffic Lane separation zone and a line connecting the following coordinates, beginning at:

37°49'55" N, 122°28'09" W; thence to 37°50'36" N, 122°27'12" W; thence to 37°50'47" N, 122°26'26" W.

Datum: NAD 83

(D)Central Bay Separation Zone: The area 75 yards each side of a line connecting the following coordinates, beginning at:

37°49'17" N, 122°27'47" W; thence to 37°49'35" N, 122°25'25" W.

Datum: NAD 83

(E)Deep Water Traffic Lane Separation Zone: The area 75 yards each side of a line connecting the following coordinates, beginning at:

37°49'36" N, 122°27'46" W; thence to 37°50'22" N, 122°26'49" W; thence to 37°50'25" N, 122°26'22" W.

Datum: NAD 83

(F)Central Bay Precautionary Area: An area bounded by a line connecting the following coordinates, beginning at:

37°48'41" N, 122°25'17" W; thence to 37°49'32" N, 122°25'13" W; thence to 37°50'25" N, 122°26'22" W; thence to 37°50'47" N, 122°26'26" W; thence to 37°51'04" N, 122°24'58" W; thence to 37°51'53" N, 122°24'58" W; thence to 37°51'53" N, 122°24'00" W; thence to 37°51'40" N, 122°23'48" W; thence to 37°49'22" N, 122°23'48" W; thence to 37°48'20" N, 122°22'12" W; thence to 37°47'02" N, 122°21'33" W; thence to 37°47'02" N, 122°23'04" W; thence returning along the shoreline to the point of beginning.

Datum: NAD 83

(2)North Ship Channel RNA. The following is a regulated navigation area-The waters bounded by a line connecting the following coordinates, beginning at:

37°51'53" N, 122°24'58" W; thence to 37°54'15" N, 122°27'27" W; thence to 37°56'06" N, 122°26'49" W; thence to 37°56'06" N, 122°26'34" W; thence to 37°54'48" N, 122°26'42" W; thence to 37°54'02" N, 122°26'10" W; thence to 37°51'53" N, 122°24'00" W; thence to returning to the point of beginning.

Datum: NAD 83

(3)San Pablo Strait Channel RNA. The following is a regulated navigation area-The waters bounded by a line connecting the following coordinates, beginning at:

37°56'06" N, 122°26'49" W; thence to 37°57'26" N, 122°27'21" W; thence to 38°00'48" N, 122°24'45" W; thence to 38°01'54" N, 122°22'24" W; thence to 38°01'44" N, 122°22'18" W; thence to 37°57'37" N, 122°26'23" W; thence to 37°56'06" N, 122°26'34" W; thence returning to the point of beginning.

Datum: NAD 83

(4)Pinole Shoal Channel RNA. The following is a regulated navigation area-The waters bounded by a line connecting the following coordinates, beginning at:

38°01'54" N, 122°22'25" W; thence to 38°03'13" N, 122°19'50" W; thence to 38°03'23" N, 122°18'31" W; thence to 38°03'13" N, 122°18'29" W; thence to 38°03'05" N, 122°19'28" W; thence to 38°01'44" N, 122°22'18" W; thence returning to the point of beginning.

Datum: NAD 83

(5)Benicia-Martinez Railroad Drawbridge Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) : The following is a regulated navigation area-The waters bounded by the following longitude lines:

(i) 122°13'31" W (coinciding with the charted location of the Carquinez Bridge)

(ii) 121°53'17" W (coinciding with the charted location of New York Point)

Datum: NAD 83

(6)Southampton Shoal Channel/Richmond Harbor RNA: The following, consisting of two distinct areas, is a regulated navigation area-

(i) The waters bounded by a line connecting the following coordinates, beginning at:

37°54'17" N, 122°22'00" W; thence to 37°54'08" N, 122°22'00" W; thence to 37°54'15" N, 122°23'12" W; thence to 37°54'30" N, 122°23'09" W; thence along the shoreline to the point of beginning.

Datum: NAD 83

(ii) The waters bounded by a line connecting the following coordinates, beginning at:

37°54'28" N, 122°23'36" W; thence to

37°54'20" N, 122°23'38" W; thence to

37°54'23" N, 122°24'02" W; thence to

37°54'57" N, 122°24'51" W; thence to

37°55'05" N, 122°25'02" W; thence to

37°54'57" N, 122°25'22" W; thence to

37°53'26" N, 122°25'03" W; thence to

37°53'24" N, 122°25'13" W; thence to

37°55'30" N, 122°25'35" W; thence to

37°55'40" N, 122°25'10" W; thence to

37°54'54" N, 122°24'30" W; thence to

37°54'30" N, 122°24'00" W; thence returning to the point of beginning.

Datum: NAD 83

(7)Oakland Harbor RNA : The following is a regulated navigation area-The waters bounded by a line connecting the following coordinates, beginning at:

37°48'40" N, 122°19'58" W; thence to

37°48'50" N, 122°20'02" W; thence to

37°48'29" N, 122°20'39" W; thence to

37°48'13" N, 122°21'26" W; thence to

37°48'10" N, 122°21'39" W; thence to

37°48'20" N, 122°22'12" W; thence to

37°47'36" N, 122°21'50" W; thence to

37°47'52" N, 122°21'40" W; thence to

37°48'03" N, 122°21'00" W; thence to

37°47'48" N, 122°19'46" W; thence to

37°47'55" N, 122°19'43" W; thence returning along the shoreline to the point of the beginning.

Datum: NAD 83

(d)General regulations.

(1) A power-driven vessel of 1600 or more gross tons, or a tug with a tow of 1600 or more gross tons, navigating within the RNAs defined in paragraph (c) of this section, shall not exceed a speed of 15 knots through the water.

(2) A power-driven vessel of 1600 or more gross tons, or a tug with a tow of 1600 or more gross tons, navigating within the RNAs defined in paragraph (c) of this section, shall have its engine(s) ready for immediate maneuver and shall operate its engine(s) in a control mode and on fuel that will allow for an immediate response to any engine order, ahead or astern, including stopping its engine(s) for an extended period of time.

(3) The master, pilot or person directing the movement of a vessel within the RNAs defined in paragraph (c) of this regulation shall comply with Rule 9 of the Inland Navigation Rules (INRs) (33 CFR subchapter E) in conjunction with the provisions of the associated INRs.

(e)Specific Regulations -

(1)San Francisco Bay RNA:

(i) A vessel shall navigate with particular caution in a precautionary area, or in areas near the terminations of traffic lanes or channels, as described in this regulation.

(ii) A power-driven vessel of 1600 or more gross tons, or a tug with a tow of 1600 or more gross tons, shall:

(A) Use the appropriate traffic lane and proceed in the general direction of traffic flow for that lane;

(B) Use the Central Bay Deep Water Traffic Lane if eastbound with a draft of 45 feet or greater or westbound with a draft of 28 feet or greater;

(C) Not enter the Central Bay Deep Water Traffic Lane when another power-driven vessel of 1600 or more gross tons or tug with a tow of 1600 or more gross tons is navigating therein when either vessel is:

(1) Carrying certain dangerous cargoes (as denoted in section 160.202 of this subchapter);

(2) Carrying bulk petroleum products; or

(3) A tank vessel in ballast if such entry would result in meeting, crossing, or overtaking the other vessel.

(D) Normally join or leave a traffic lane at the termination of the lane, but when joining or leaving from either side, shall do so at as small an angle to the general direction of traffic flow as practicable;

(E) So far as practicable keep clear of the Central Bay Separation Zone and the Deep Water Traffic Lane Separation Zone;

(F) Not cross a traffic lane separation zone unless crossing, joining, or leaving a traffic lane.

(2)Pinole Shoal Channel RNA:

(i) A vessel less than 1600 gross tons or a tug with a tow of less than 1600 gross tons is not permitted within this RNA.

(ii) A power-driven vessel of 1600 or more gross tons or a tug with a tow of 1600 or more gross tons shall not enter Pinole Shoal Channel RNA when another power-driven vessel of 1600 or more gross tons or tug with a tow of 1600 or more gross tons is navigating therein if such entry would result in meeting, crossing, or overtaking the other vessel, when either vessel is:

(A) Carrying certain dangerous cargoes (as denoted in § 160.203 of this subchapter);

(B) Carrying bulk petroleum products; or

(C) A tank vessel in ballast.

(iii) Vessels permitted to use this channel shall proceed at a reasonable speed so as not to endanger other vessels or interfere with any work which may become necessary in maintaining, surveying, or buoying the channel, and they shall not anchor in the channel except in case of a deviation authorized under paragraph (b) of this section.

(iv) This paragraph shall not be construed as prohibiting any necessary use of the channel by any public vessels while engaged in official duties, or in emergencies by pilot boats.

(3)Benicia-Martinez Railroad Drawbridge Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) -

(i)Eastbound vessels:

(A) The master, pilot, or person directing the movement of a power-driven vessel of 1600 or more gross tons or a tug with a tow of 1600 or more gross tons traveling eastbound and intending to transit under the lift span (centered at coordinates 38°02'18" N, 122°07'17" W) of the railroad bridge across Carquinez Strait at mile 7.0 shall, immediately after entering the RNA, determine whether the visibility around the lift span is ¹/₂ nautical mile or greater.

(B) If the visibility is less than ¹/₂ nautical mile, or subsequently becomes less than ¹/₂ nautical mile, the vessel shall not transit under the lift span.

(ii)Westbound vessels:

(A) The master, pilot, or person directing the movement of a power-driven vessel of 1600 or more gross tons or a tug with a tow of 1600 or more gross tons traveling westbound and intending to transit under the lift span (centered at coordinates 38°02'18" N, 122°07'17" W) of the railroad bridge across Carquinez Strait at mile 7.0 shall, immediately after entering the RNA determine whether the visibility around the lift span is ¹/₂ nautical mile or greater.

(B) If the visibility is less than ¹/₂ nautical mile, the vessel shall not pass beyond longitude line 121°55'19" W (coinciding with the charted position of the westernmost end of Mallard Island) until the visibility improves to greater than ¹/₂ nautical mile around the lift span.

(C) If after entering the RNA visibility around the lift span subsequently becomes less than ¹/₂ nautical mile, the master, pilot, or person directing the movement of the vessel either shall not transit under the lift span or shall request a deviation from the requirements of the RNA as prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section.

(D) Vessels that are moored or anchored within the RNA with the intent to transit under the lift span shall remain moored or anchored until visibility around the lift span becomes greater than ¹/₂ nautical mile.

(4)Southampton Shoal/Richmond Harbor RNA: A power-driven vessel of 1600 or more gross tons, or a tug with a tow of 1600 or more gross tons, shall not enter Southampton Shoal/Richmond Harbor RNA when another power-driven vessel of 1600 or more gross tons, or a tug with a tow of 1600 or more gross tons, is navigating therein, if such entry would result in meeting, crossing, or overtaking the other vessel.

(5)Oakland Harbor RNA: A power-driven vessel of 1600 or more gross tons or a tug with a tow of 1600 or more gross tons shall not enter the Oakland Harbor RNA when another power-driven vessel of 1600 or more gross tons, or a tug with a tow of 1600 or more gross tons, is navigating therein, if such entry would result in meeting, crossing, or overtaking the other vessel.

33 C.F.R. §165.1181

CGD11-94-007, 60 FR 16796, Apr. 3, 1995; 60 FR 30157, June 7, 1995. Redesignated by USCG-2001-9286, 66 FR 33642, June 25, 2001, as amended by USCG-2003-15404, 68 FR 37741, June 25, 2003; CGD11-03-001, 69 FR 2843, Jan. 21, 2004; USCG-2005-21869, 80 FR 5336, Jan. 30, 2015; USCG-2015-0433, 80 FR 44287, July 27, 2015