33 CFR § 26.01 - Purpose.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s26.01"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 26.01 - Purpose."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "26.01"
section_name: "Purpose."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "A"
subchapter_name: "GENERAL"
part_number: "26"
part_name: "VESSEL BRIDGE-TO-BRIDGE RADIOTELEPHONE REGULATIONS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "14 U.S.C. 102, 33 U.S.C. 1201-1208; Pub. L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4. Rule 1, International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea."
regulatory_source: "CGD 71-114R, 37 FR 12720, June 28, 1972, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "26"
---


# 26.01 Purpose.

(a) The purpose of this part is to implement the provisions of the Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act. This part:

(1) Requires the use of the vessel bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone;

(2) Provides the Coast Guard's interpretation of the meaning of important terms in the Act;

(3) Prescribes the procedures for applying for an exemption from the Act and the regulations issued under the Act and a listing of exemptions.

(b) Nothing in this part relieves any person from the obligation of complying with the rules of the road and the applicable pilot rules.