§ 165.T07-166 - Regulated Navigation Area, San Carlos Bay, Florida.

(a) Regulated area. The following area is a regulated navigation area (RNA): the waters bounded by the following points: NW Corner: 26°28′59″ N, 082°00′54″ W; NE Corner: 26°28′59″ N, 082°00′52″ W; SE Corner: 26°28′57″ N, 082°00′51″ W; SW Corner: 26°28′57″ N, 082°00′53″ W.

(b) Regulations. (1) A vessel in the RNA established under paragraph (a) of this section will operate at no-wake speed. Nothing in this rule is to be construed as to negate the requirement to at all times operate at a safe speed as provided in the Navigation Rules and Regulations.

(2) A one-way traffic scheme is established. Vessel traffic may proceed in one direction at a time through the RNA. Overtaking is prohibited.

(3) Tugs with barges must be arranged in a push-ahead configuration with the barges made up in tandem. Tugs must be of adequate horsepower to maneuver the barges. Tug and barge traffic may transit the RNA at slack water only.

(4) Stern tows are prohibited except for assistance towing vessels, subject to conditions. Side tows are authorized. Assistance towing vessels may conduct stern tows of disabled vessels that are less than or equal to 30 feet in length. For vessels that are greater than 30 feet in length, assistance towing vessels may use a towing arrangement in which one assistance towing vessel is in the lead, towing the disabled vessel, and another assistance towing vessel is astern of the disabled vessel. All assistance towing vessels operating within the regulated navigation area must be of adequate horsepower to maneuver the vessel under tow and the transit must be at slack water only.

(c) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this section:

(1) Assistance towing means assistance provided to disabled vessels.

(2) Assistance towing vessels means commercially registered or documented vessels that have been specially equipped to provide commercial services in the marine assistance industry.

(3) Disabled vessel means a vessel, which while being operated, has been rendered incapable of proceeding under its own power and is in need of assistance.

(4) Overtaking means a vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam, that is, in such a position with reference to the vessel she is overtaking, that at night she would be able to see only the stern light of the vessel but neither of her sidelights.

(5) Slack water means the state of a tidal current when its speed is near zero, especially the moment when a reversing current changes direction and its speed is zero. The term also is applied to the entire period of low speed near the time of turning of the current when it is too weak to be of any practical importance in navigation.

(6) Vessel means every description of watercraft, including non-displacement craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water.

(d) Violations. Persons in violation of these regulations will be subject to civil penalty under 33 U.S.C. 1232 of this part, to include a maximum civil penalty of $32,500 per violation.

(e) Effective period. This section is effective from 8 a.m. on January 8, 2006 until 8 a.m. on January 7, 2007.