§ 401.29 - Maximum draft.

§ 401.29 Maximum draft.

Cross Reference

Link to an amendment published at 89 FR 15961, Mar. 6, 2024.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision herein, the loading of cargo, draft and speed of a vessel in transit shall be controlled by the master, who shall take into account the vessel's individual characteristics and its tendency to list or squat, so as to avoid striking bottom.

(b) The draft draught of a vessel shall meet a minimum draft requirement requirements as defined at inspection on the ESI Enhanced Ship Inspection form and not, in any case, exceed 79.2 dm or the maximum permissible draft draught designated in a Seaway Notice by the Manager and the Corporation for the part of the Seaway in which a vessel is passing.

(c) Any vessel will be permitted to load at an increased draft draught of not more than 7 cm above the maximum permissible draft draught in effect as prescribed under paragraph 401.29(b) of this section if it is equipped with a Draft Draught Information System (DIS) and meets the following:

(1) An operational Draft Draught Information System (DIS) approved by a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) as compliant with the Implementation Specifications found at www.greatlakes-seaway.com and having on board: onboard;

(i) An operational AIS with accuracy approved by the Seaway; and

(ii) Up-to-date electronic navigational charts; and

(iii) Up-to-date charts containing high resolution bathymetric data; and

(iv) Vessels must be equipped with a bow thruster shall have it and bow thruster must be operational.

(2) The DIS Tool Display shall be located as close to the primary conning position and be visible and legible.

(i) Verification document of the DIS must be kept on board the vessel at all times and made available for inspection. ;

(ii) DIS license to use the software must be valid;

(iii) A company letter attesting to officer training on use of the DIS must be kept on board and made available for inspection

.

;

(

iii)

iv) When transiting Seaway waters with the DIS, a trained officer on the use of the DIS must be on the bridge;

(v) Any vessel intending to use the DIS for the first time must notify the Manager or the Corporation in writing at least 24-hours prior to commencement of its initial transit in the System with the DIS in order to arrange for appropriate testing for approval to use the DIS

.

;

(

iv

vi)

In every

Every navigation season,

a

each vessel intending to use an approved DIS to transit the System must submit a completed confirmation checklist found at www.greatlakes-seaway.com to the Manager or the Corporation prior to its initial transit of the season

.

;

(

v

vii) If for any reason the DIS, AIS, or

AIS

bow thruster becomes inoperable, malfunctions or is not used while the vessel is transiting at a

draft

draught greater than the maximum permissible

draft

draught prescribed under

paragraph

401.29(b)

of this section

in effect at the time, the vessel must notify the Manager or the Corporation immediately.

[78 FR 16181, Mar. 14, 2013, as amended at 79 FR 12660, Mar. 6, 2014; 80 FR 4500, Jan. 28, 2015; 81 FR 13746, Mar. 15, 2016; 82 FR 12419, Mar. 3, 2017; 84 FR 8984, Mar. 13, 2019; 86 FR 15412, Mar. 23, 2021; 88 FR 14267, Mar. 8, 2023; 89 FR 15961, Mar. 6, 2024]