§  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.