36 CFR § 13.1170 - What are the rules for operating vessels?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t36/s13.1170"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "36 CFR § 13.1170 - What are the rules for operating vessels?"
title_number: 36
title_name: "Parks, Forests, and Public Property"
section_number: "13.1170"
section_name: "What are the rules for operating vessels?"
chapter_name: "NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR"
part_number: "13"
part_name: "NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM UNITS IN ALASKA"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "16 U.S.C. 3101 ; 54 U.S.C. 100101, 100751, 320102; Sec. 13.1204 also issued under Pub. L. 104-333, Sec. 1035, 110 Stat. 4240, November 12, 1996."
regulatory_source: "71 FR 69333, Nov. 30, 2006, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "13"
---


# 13.1170 What are the rules for operating vessels?

(a) Operating a vessel within 
1/4 nautical mile of a whale is prohibited, except for a commercial fishing vessel authorized under this subpart that is actively trolling, setting, or pulling long lines, or setting or pulling crab pots.

(b) The operator of a vessel inadvertently positioned within 
1/4 nautical mile of a whale must immediately slow the vessel to ten knots or less, without shifting into reverse unless impact is likely. The operator must direct or maintain the vessel on as steady a course as possible away from the whale until at least 
1/4 nautical mile of separation is established. Failure to take such action is prohibited.

(c) The operator of a vessel or seaplane positioned within 
1/2 nautical mile of a whale is prohibited from altering course or speed in a manner that results in decreasing the distance between the whale and the vessel or seaplane.