[ve-l] Inland Bell Requirement

[Robert Miller]

All VEs,

One caution to all VEs about what Hal has correctly stated. Many states have
incorporated the bell requirement into their own regulations at the 12 meter
length. This requirement by states is not over ridden by any of the
International or Federal changes unless the state also makes the change. VEs
need to be knowledgeable of their state regulations. 

Bob 


-----Original Message-----
From: ve-l-admin@usps.org [mailto:ve-l-admin@usps.org] On Behalf Of
hleahy142@adelphia.net
Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2006 5:00 PM
To: USPS VE Mailing List
Subject: [ve-l] Inland Bell Requirement

The USCG Auxiliary VE Department has published For Safety's Sake Vol II No.
6. That is the departmental newsletter. On page 5 is an article "Clarifying
The Bell Requirement:".

*** start copy

In response to a question regarding the need for a vessel more
than 12 meters in length to carry a bell, W. Vann Burgess, PCB-2
writes; 

“While this person is technically correct in that Rule 33(a) of the
Inland Rules still states ‘... and a bell...’ for vessels more than 12
meters in length, the Rule is a moot point as a result of Rule 1(b)(ii) that
states ‘All vessels complying with the construction and equipment
requirements of the International Regulations are considered to be in
compliance with these Rules (Inland).’ 

As a result of the change to Rule 33(a) of the COLREGS, and the impact of
Rule 1(b)(ii) of the Inland Rules, the Coast Guard (the governing body of
the Inland Rules) has decided that a vessel less than 20 meters in length is
no longer required to carry a bell on board, and no enforcement action will
be taken against a vessel less than 20 meters in length for requirements
relating to the carriage of a bell. The reason Rule 33 (a) of the Inland
Rules has not been changed to reflect this position is due to the fact the
Inland Rules are written into law (United States Code) and not regulation
(Code of Federal Regulations), thereby a change has required an action by
the Congress of the United States and not a simple regulatory change. Just
recently the Coast Guard has been given authority by Congress to put the
Inland Rules into the Code of Federal Regulations and is in the early stages
of a regulatory project.

The bottom-line, a bell is no longer required on a vessel less than 20
meters in length. That of course means a bell is not required for those same
vessels for successful completion of a VSC.”

*** end copy

Page 4 contains an article on doing Rental Boat Safety Checks.

Hal Leahy
Palm Beach S&PS

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