33 CFR § 117.19 - Signalling when two or more vessels are approaching a drawbridge.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s117.19"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 117.19 - Signalling when two or more vessels are approaching a drawbridge."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "117.19"
section_name: "Signalling when two or more vessels are approaching a drawbridge."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "J"
subchapter_name: "BRIDGES"
part_number: "117"
part_name: "DRAWBRIDGE OPERATION REGULATIONS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "33 U.S.C. 499; 33 CFR 1.05-1; and DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4."
regulatory_source: "CGD 82-025, 49 FR 17452, Apr. 24, 1984, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "117"
---


# 117.19 Signalling when two or more vessels are approaching a drawbridge.

When two or more vessels are approaching the same drawbridge at the same time, or nearly the same, time, whether from the same or opposite directions, each vessel shall signal independently for the opening of the draw and the drawtender shall reply in turn to the signal of each vessel. The drawtender need not reply to signals by vessels accumulated at the bridge for passage during a scheduled open period.