Certificates of Alternative Compliance

Vessels of special construction or purpose that cannot fully comply with the light, shape, and sound signal provisions of COLREGS (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972) or the Inland Navigation Rules without interfering with their special function may instead meet alternative requirements. A vessel of special construction or purpose means a vessel designed or modified to perform a special function and whose arrangement is thereby made relatively inflexible. The owner, builder, operator, or agent of a vessel of special construction or purpose who believes the vessel cannot fully comply with COLREGS or the Inland Navigation Rules for lights, shapes, or sound signal provisions without interference with its special function may apply for a determination that alternative compliance is justified.