33 C.F.R. Subpart E—Aids to Navigation
Title 33 - Navigation and Navigable Waters
This subpart provides requirements for aids to navigation on deepwater ports. The following requirements apply to aids to navigation under this subpart: (a) Section 66.01–5 of this chapter on application to establish, maintain, discontinue, change, or transfer ownership of an aid, except as under 149.510; (b) Section 66.01–25(a) and (c) of this chapter on discontinuing or removing an aid. For the purposes of §66.01–25(a) and (c) of this chapter, aids to navigation at a deepwater port are considered Class I aids under §66.01–15 of this chapter; (c) Section 66.01–50 of this chapter on protection of an aid from interference and obstruction; and (d) Section 66.01–55 of this chapter on transfer of ownership of an aid. (a) To establish an aid to navigation on a deepwater port, the licensee must submit an application under §66.01–5 of this chapter, except the application must be sent to the Commandant (G-M). (b) At least 180 days before the installation of any structure at the site of a deepwater port, the licensee must submit an application for obstruction lights and other private aids to navigation for the particular construction site. (c) At least 180 days before beginning cargo transfer operations or changing the mooring facilities at the deepwater port, the licensee must submit an application for private aids to navigation.
Title 33: Navigation and Navigable Waters
PART 149—DEEPWATER PORTS: DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND EQUIPMENT
Subpart E—Aids to Navigation
General
§ 149.500 What does this subpart do?
§ 149.505 What are the general requirements for aids to navigation?
§ 149.510 Permission to establish an aid to navigation.
Lights
§ 149.520 What are the general lighting requirements?
All deepwater ports must meet the general requirements for obstruction lights in part 67 of this chapter.
Lights on Platforms
§ 149.535 What are the requirements for rotating beacons on platforms?
In addition to obstruction lights, the tallest platform of a deepwater port must have a rotating lighted beacon that distinguishes the deepwater port from other surrounding offshore structures. The beacon must:
(a) Have an effective intensity of at least 15,000 candela;
(b) Flash at least once every 20 seconds;
(c) Provide a white light signal;
(d) Operate in wind speeds up to 100 knots at a rotation rate that is within 6 percent of the operating speed displayed on the beacon;
(e) Have one or more leveling indicators permanently attached to the light, each with an accuracy of 0.25, or better; and
(f) Be located:
(1) At least 60 feet above mean high water;
(2) Where the structure of the platform, or equipment mounted on the platform, does not obstruct the light in any direction; and
(3) So that it is visible all around the horizon.
Lights on Single Point Moorings (SPM)
§ 149.540 What are the requirements for obstruction lights on an SPM?
(a) The lights for a single point mooring (SPM) must meet the requirements for obstruction lights in part 67 of this chapter, except that the lights must be located at least 10 feet above mean high water.
(b) A submerged turret loading (STL) deepwater port is not required to meet the requirements for obstruction lights, provided it maintains at least a five-foot clearance beneath the net under-keel clearance for all vessels, at the mean low water condition, transiting the area.
(c) An STL deepwater port that utilizes a marker buoy must be lighted in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section.
Lights on Floating Hose Strings
§ 149.550 What are the requirements for lights on a floating hose string?
Hose strings that are floating or supported on trestles shall display the following lights at night and in periods of restricted visibility.
(a) One row of yellow lights. The lights must be:
(1) Flashing 50 to 70 times per minute;
(2) Visible all around the horizon;
(3) Visible for at least 2 miles on a clear, dark night;
(4) Not less than 1 and not more than 3.5 meters above the water;
(5) Approximately equally spaced; and
(6) Not more than 10 meters apart where the hose string crosses a navigable channel, and, also, where the hose string does not cross a navigable channel, the lights must be sufficient in number to clearly show the hose string's length and course.
(b) Two red lights at each end of the hose string, including the ends in a channel where the hose string is separated to allow vessels to pass, whether open or closed. The lights must be:
(1) Visible all around the horizon;
(2) Visible for at least 2 miles on a clear, dark night; and
(3) One meter apart in a vertical line with the lower light at the same height above the water as the flashing yellow light.
Lights on Buoys Used To Define Traffic Lanes
§ 149.560 How must buoys used to define traffic lanes be marked and lighted?
(a) Each buoy that is used to define the lateral boundaries of a traffic lane at a deepwater port must meet 62.25 of this chapter.
(b) The buoy must have an omni-directional light located at least 8 feet above the water.
(c) The buoy light must be located so that the structure of the buoy, or any other device mounted on the buoy, does not obstruct the light in any direction.
§ 149.565 What are the required characteristics and intensity of lights on buoys used to define traffic lanes?
(a) The color of the light on a buoy that is used to define the lateral boundaries of a traffic lane must correspond with the color schemes for buoys in §62.25 of this chapter.
(b) The buoy light may be fixed or flashing. If it is flashing, it must flash at intervals of not more than 6 seconds.
(c) Buoy lights must have an effective intensity of at least 25 candela.
Miscellaneous
§ 149.570 How is a platform, SPM, or STL identified?
(a) Each platform, SPM, or STL (protruding above the water/marked by a buoy) must display the name of the deepwater port and the name or number identifying the structure, so that the information is visible:
(1) From the water at all angles of approach to the structure; and
(2) If the structure is equipped with a helicopter pad, from aircraft on approach to the structure.
(b) The information required in paragraph (a) of this section must be displayed in numbers and letters that are:
(1) At least 12 inches high;
(2) In vertical block style; and
(3) Displayed against a contrasting background.
(c) If a STL protrudes from the water, it must be properly illuminated in accordance with §149.540.
§ 149.575 How must objects protruding from the water, other than platforms and SPMs, be marked?
(a) Each object protruding from the water that is within 100 yards of a platform or SPM must be marked with white reflective tape.
(b) Each object protruding from the water that is more than 100 yards from a platform or SPM must meet the obstruction lighting requirements in this subpart for a platform.
§ 149.580 What are the requirements for a radar beacon?
(a) A radar beacon must be located on the tallest platform of a pumping platform complex or other fixed structure of the deepwater port.
(b) The beacon must meet the following:
(1) Be an FCC-type-accepted radar beacon (RACON);
(2) Transmit:
(i) In both the 2900–3100 MHz and 9300–9500 MHz frequency bands; or
(ii) If installed before July 8, 1991, in the 9320–9500 MHz frequency band;
(3) Transmit a signal of at least 250 milliwatts radiated power that is omni-directional and polarized in the horizontal plane;
(4) Transmit a two or more element Morse code character, the length of which does not exceed 25 percent of the radar range expected to be used by vessels operating in the area;
(5) If of the frequency agile type, be programmed so that it will respond, at least 40 percent of the time, but not more than 90 percent of the time, with a response time duration of at least 24 seconds; and
(6) Be located at a minimum height of 15 feet above the highest deck of the platform and where the structure of the platform, or equipment mounted on the platform, does not obstruct the signal propagation in any direction.
§ 149.585 What are the requirements for sound signals?
(a) Each pumping platform complex must have a sound signal, approved under subpart 67.10 of this chapter, that has a 2-mile (3-kilometer) range. A list of Coast Guard approved sound signals is available from any District Commander.
(b) Each sound signal must be:
(1) Located at least 10 feet but not more than 150 feet above mean high water; and
(2) Located where the structure of the platform, or equipment mounted on it, does not obstruct the sound of the signal in any direction.
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