AMENDMENT OF INLAND NAVIGATION RULES.

SEC. 701. AMENDMENT OF INLAND NAVIGATION RULES. Section 2 of the Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980 is amended— (1) by amending Rule 9(e)(i) (33 U.S.C. 2009(e)(i)) to read as follows: “(i) In a narrow channel or fairway when overtaking, the power-driven vessel intending to overtake another power-driven vessel shall indicate her intention by sounding the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(c) and take steps to permit safe passing. The power-driven vessel being overtaken, if in agreement, shall sound the same signal and may, if specifically agreed to take steps to permit safe passing. If in doubt she shall sound the danger signal prescribed in Rule 34(d).”; (2) in Rule 15(b) (33 U.S.C. 2015(b)) by inserting “power-driven” after “Secretary, a”; (3) in Rule 23(a)(1) (33 U.S.C. 2023(a)(i)) after “masthead light forward”; by striking “except that a vessel of less than 20 meters in length need not exhibit this light forward of amidships but shall exhibit it as far forward as is practicable;”; (4) by amending Rule 24(f) (33 U.S.C. 2024(f)) to read as follows: 110 STAT. 3933 “(f) Provided that any number of vessels being towed alongside or pushed in a group shall be lighted as one vessel, except as provided in paragraph (iii)— “(i) a vessel being pushed ahead, not being part of a composite unit, shall exhibit at the forward end, sidelights and a special flashing light; “(ii) a vessel being towed alongside shall exhibit a sternlight and at the forward end, sidelights and a special flashing light; and “(iii) when vessels are towed alongside on both sides of the towing vessels a stem light shall be exhibited on the stem of the outboard vessel on each side of the towing vessel, and a single set of sidelights as far forward and as far outboard as is practicable, and a single special flashing light.”; (5) in Rule 26 (33 U.S.C. 2026)— (A) in each of subsections (b)(i) and (c)(i) by striking “a vessel of less than 20 meters in length may instead of this shape exhibit a basket;”; and (B) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows: “(d) The additional signals described in Annex II to these Rules apply to a vessel engaged in fishing in close proximity to other vessels engaged in fishing.”; and (6) by amending Rule 34(h) (33 U.S.C. 2034) to read as follows: “(h) A vessel that reaches agreement with another vessel in a head-on, crossing, or overtaking situation, as for example, by using the radiotelephone as prescribed by the Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act (85 Stat. 164; 33 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.), is not obliged to sound the whistle signals prescribed by this rule, but may do so. If agreement is not reached, then whistle signals shall be exchanged in a timely manner and shall prevail.”.