33 CFR § 245.5 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s245.5"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 245.5 - Definitions."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "245.5"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "CORPS OF ENGINEERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE"
part_number: "245"
part_name: "REMOVAL OF WRECKS AND OTHER OBSTRUCTIONS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "5 U.S.C. 301; 33 U.S.C. 1, 409, 411-415; 10 U.S.C. 3012."
regulatory_source: "53 FR 27513, July 21, 1988, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "245"
---


# 245.5 Definitions.

*Abandonment* means the surrendering of all rights to a vessel (or other obstruction) and its cargo by the owner, or owners if vessel and cargo are separately owned.

*Hazard to navigation* is an obstruction, usually sunken, that presents sufficient danger to navigation so as to require expeditious, affirmative action such as marking, removal, or redefinition of a designated waterway to provide for navigational safety.

*Obstruction* is anything that restricts, endangers or interferes with navigation.

*Responsible party* means the owner of a vessel and/or cargo, or an operator or lessee where the operator or lessee has substantial control of the vessel's operation.

*Vessel* as used in this part includes any ship, boat, barge, raft, or other water craft.