33 CFR § 161.21 - Automated reporting.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s161.21"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 161.21 - Automated reporting."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "161.21"
section_name: "Automated reporting."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "P"
subchapter_name: "PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY"
part_number: "161"
part_name: "VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "46 U.S.C. 70001, 70002, 70003, 70034, 70114, 70119; Pub. L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.3."
regulatory_source: "CGD 90-020, 59 FR 36324, July 15, 1994, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "161"
---


# 161.21 Automated reporting.

(a) Unless otherwise directed, vessels equipped with an Automatic Identification System (AIS) are required to make continuous, all stations, AIS broadcasts, in lieu of voice Position Reports, to those Centers denoted in Table 161.12(c) of this part.

(b) Should an AIS become non-operational, while or prior to navigating a VMRS area, it should be restored to operating condition as soon as possible, and, until restored a vessel must:

(1) Notify the Center;

(2) Make voice radio Position Reports at designated reporting points as required by § 161.20(b) of this part; and

(3) Make any other reports as directed by the Center.

[USCG-2003-14757, 68 FR 39366, July 1, 2003]