§ 1601. — Definitions.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 33USC1601]
TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
CHAPTER 30--INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA
Sec. 1601. Definitions
For the purposes of this chapter--
(1) ``vessel'' means every description of watercraft, including
nondisplacement craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used
as a means of transportation on water; and
(2) ``high seas'' means all parts of the sea that are not
included in the territorial sea or in the internal waters of any
nation.
(Pub. L. 95-75, Sec. 2, July 27, 1977, 91 Stat. 308.)
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in opening par., was in the original
``this Act'', meaning Pub. L. 95-75, July 27, 1977, 91 Stat. 308, known
as the ``International Navigational Rules Act of 1977'', which enacted
this chapter, repealed sections 1051 to 1094 of this title, enacted
provisions set out as notes under this section, and repealed provision
set out as a note under section 1051 of this title.
Effective Date of International Regulations; Repeal of Former
Regulations
Section 10 of Pub. L. 95-75 provided in part that Pub. L. 88-131,
enacting sections 1051 to 1094 of this title and a provision set out as
a note under section 1051 of this title which sections included the
former International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, was
repealed effective on the date on which the International Regulations
[promulgated pursuant to this chapter] entered into force for the United
States [July 15, 1977]. See Proclamation dated Jan. 19, 1977, set out as
a note under section 1602 of this title.
References to Former Regulations
Section 10 of Pub. L. 95-75 provided in part that: ``The reference
in any other law to Public Law 88-131 [enacting sections 1051 to 1094 of
this title and enacting a provision set out as a note under section 1051
of this title], or to the regulations set forth in section 4 of that Act
[sections 1061 to 1094 of this title], shall be considered a reference,
respectively, to this Act [this chapter], or to the International
Regulations proclaimed hereunder [set out as a note under section 1602
of this title].''
Short Title
Section 1 of Pub. L. 95-75 provided: ``That this Act [enacting this
chapter, repealing sections 1051 to 1094 of this title, enacting
provisions set out as notes under this section, and repealing provisions
set out as a note under section 1051 of this title] may be cited as the
`International Navigational Rules Act of 1977'.''
