{"data":{"id":"us/33-cfr-161.13","jurisdiction":"us","citation":"33 CFR 161.13","heading":"VTS Special Area operating requirements.","body":"The following operating requirements apply within a VTS Special Area:\n(a) A VTS User shall, if towing astern, do so with as short a hawser as safety and good seamanship permits.\n(b) A VMRS User shall: (1) Not enter or get underway in the area without prior approval of the VTS;\n(2) Not enter a VTS Special Area if a hazardous vessel operating condition or circumstance exists;\n(3) Not meet, cross, or overtake any other VMRS User in the area without prior approval of the VTS; and\n(4) Before meeting, crossing, or overtaking any other VMRS User in the area, communicate on the designated vessel bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone frequency, intended navigation movements, and any other information necessary in order to make safe passing arrangements. This requirement does not relieve a vessel of any duty prescribed by the International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS) or the Inland Navigation Rules.","path":["Title 33—Navigation and Navigable Waters","CHAPTER I—COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY","SUBCHAPTER P—PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY","PART 161—VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT","Subpart A—Vessel Traffic Services"],"source_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-08-25/title-33.xml","current_through":"2026-08-25","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T02:25:35Z","sha256":"ef7dad712f399444212f9038f5f4196a73a02f0f2f618ecea78bc796ad568797","source_id":"us-cfr","stale":true,"prev":"us/33-cfr-161.12","next":"us/33-cfr-161.15"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}