Sec.  80.951   Applicability.

   The Agreement Between the United States of America and Canada for Promotion
   of Safety on the Great Lakes by Means of Radio, 1973, applies to vessels of
   all countries when navigated on the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Radio
   Agreement defines the Great Lakes as “all waters of Lakes Ontario, Erie,
   Huron (including Georgian Bay), Michigan, Superior, their connecting and
   tributary waters and the River St. Lawrence as far east as the lower exit of
   the St. Lambert Lock at Montreal in the Province of Quebec, Canada,” but
   does not include such of the connecting and tributary waters as may be
   specified in the Technical Regulations. The Technical Regulations do not
   include any connecting and tributary waters except the St. Mary's River, the
   St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River and the Welland Canal. A
   vessel to which the Great Lakes Radio Agreement applies and which falls into
   the specific categories by paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this section and not
   excepted by paragraph (d) or (e) of this section must comply with this
   subpart while navigated on the Great Lakes.

   (a) Every vessel 20 meters (65 feet) or over in length (measured from end to
   end over the deck, exclusive of sheer).

   (b)  Every vessel engaged in towing another vessel or floating object,
   except:

   (1) Where the maximum length of the towing vessel, measured from end to end
   over the deck exclusive of sheer, is less than 8 meters (26 feet) and the
   length or breadth of the tow, exclusive of the towing line, is less than 20
   meters (65 feet);

   (2) Where the vessel towed complies with this subpart;

   (3) Where the towing vessel and tow are located within a booming ground (an
   area in which logs are confined); or

   (4) Where the tow has been undertaken in an emergency and neither the towing
   vessel nor the tow can comply with this part.

   (c) Any vessel carrying more than six passengers for hire.

   (d) The requirements of the Great Lakes Radio Agreement do not apply to:

   (1) Ships of war and troop ships;

   (2) Vessels owned and operated by any national government and not engaged in
   trade.

   (e) The Commission may if it considers that the conditions of the voyage or
   voyages affecting safety (including but not necessarily limited to the
   regularity, frequency and nature of the voyages, or other circumstances) are
   such as to render full application of the Great Lakes Agreement unreasonable
   or  unnecessary,  exempt  partially,  conditionally or completely, any
   individual vessel for one or more voyages or for any period of time not
   exceeding one year.