33 CFR § 88.05 - Law enforcement vessels.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s88.05"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 88.05 - Law enforcement vessels."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "88.05"
section_name: "Law enforcement vessels."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "E"
subchapter_name: "INLAND NAVIGATION RULES"
part_number: "88"
part_name: "ANNEX V: PILOT RULES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Sec. 303, Pub. L. 108-293, 118 Stat. 1042 (33 U.S.C. 2071); Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1."
regulatory_source: "79 FR 37925, July 2, 2014, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "88"
---


# 88.05 Law enforcement vessels.

(a) Law enforcement vessels may display a flashing blue light when engaged in direct law enforcement or public safety activities. This light must be located so that it does not interfere with the visibility of the vessel's navigation lights.

(b) The blue light described in this section may be displayed by law enforcement vessels of the United States and the States and their political subdivisions.