Steady As

§ 88.07 Public safety activities

Inland Navigation Rules

(a) Vessels engaged in government sanctioned public safety activities, and commercial vessels performing similar functions, may display an alternately flashing red and yellow light signal. This identification light signal must be located so that it does not interfere with the visibility of the vessel's navigation lights. The identification light signal may be used only as an identification signal and conveys no special privilege. Vessels using the identification light signal during public safety activities must abide by the Inland Navigation Rules, and must not presume that the light or the exigency gives them precedence or right of way.

(b) Public safety activities include but are not limited to patrolling marine parades, regattas, or special water celebrations; traffic control; salvage; firefighting; medical assistance; assisting disabled vessels; and search and rescue.

US Inland Navigation Rules current as of 22 October 2026. Official text: ecfr.gov.

A work of the US government, in the public domain. Reproduced from the eCFR (ecfr.gov), 33 CFR parts 83 to 88.