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33 CFR § 117.4 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s117.4"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 117.4 - Definitions."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "117.4"
section_name: "Definitions."
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: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
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"
---

# 117.4 Definitions.

The following definitions apply to this part:

*Appurtenance* means an attachment or accessory extending beyond the hull or superstructure that is not an integral part of the vessel and is not needed for a vessel's piloting, propelling, controlling, or collision avoidance capabilities.

*Automated drawbridge* means a drawbridge that is operated by an automated mechanism, not a drawtender. An automated drawbridge is normally kept in the open to navigation position and closes when the mechanism is activated.

*Deviation* means a District Commander's action authorizing a drawbridge owner to temporarily not comply with the drawbridge opening requirements in this part.

*Drawbridge* means a bridge with an operational span that is intended to be opened for the passage of waterway traffic.

*Drawspan* means the operational span of a drawbridge.

*Lowerable* means a non-structural vessel appurtenance that is or can be made flexible, hinged, collapsible, or telescopic so that it can be mechanically or manually lowered.

*Nonstructural* means that the item is not rigidly fixed to the vessel and can be relocated or altered.

*Not essential to navigation* means that a nonstructural vessel appurtenance, when in the lowered position, would not adversely affect the vessel's piloting, propulsion, control, or collision-avoidance capabilities.

*Public vessel* means a vessel that is owned and operated by the United States Government and is not engaged in commercial service, as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101.

*Remotely operated drawbridge* means a drawbridge that is operated by remote control from a location away from the drawbridge.

*Removable span bridge* means a bridge that requires the complete removal of a span by means other than machinery installed on the bridge to open the bridge to navigation.

*Untended* means that there is no drawtender at the drawbridge.

[USCG-2001-10881, 71 FR 70307, Dec. 4, 2006]