Ch 01.qxd 8/24/04 10:28 AM Page 1-2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 1, 61, and 91. Just as land-based pilots must understand airport oper- ations, the pilot certification requirements in 14 CFR part 61 require seaplane pilots to know and use the rules for seaplane base operations. water, whether under power or not, it is required to comply with USCG navigation rules applicable to ves- sels. Simply adhering to 14 CFR part 91, section 91.115 should ensure compliance with the USCG rules. Pilots are encouraged to obtain the USCG Navigation Rules, International-Inland, M16672.2D, available from the U.S. Government Printing Office. These rules apply to all public or private vessels navi- gating upon the high seas and certain inland waters.  Specific regulations recognize the unique characteristics of water operations. For example, 14 CFR part 61, sec- tion 61.31 takes into account that seaplanes seldom have retractable landing gear as such, so an endorsement to act as pilot in command of a complex seaplane requires training in a seaplane with flaps and a controllable pitch propeller. Likewise, in 14 CFR part 91, section 91.107, there is an exception to the rule that everyone must have a seat and wear a seatbelt during movement on the surface. The person pushing off or mooring a seaplane at a dock is authorized to move around while the seaplane is in motion on the surface. Inland waters are divided visually from international waters by buoys in areas with frequent ocean traffic. Inland waters are inshore of a line approximately paral- lel with the general trend of the shore, drawn through the outermost buoy. The waters outside of the line are international waters or the high seas. Seaplanes operating inshore of the boundary line dividing the high seas from the inland waters must follow the established statutory Inland Rules (Pilot Rules). Seaplanes navigating outside the boundary line dividing the high seas from inland waters must follow the International Rules of the Sea. All sea- planes must carry a current copy of the rules when operating in international waters. The right-of-way rules for operation on water are similar, but not identical, to the rules governing right- of-way between aircraft in flight. The familiar rotating beacon is used to identify lighted seaplane landing areas at night and during periods of reduced visibility; however, the colors alternate white and yellow for water landing areas. A double white flash alternating with yellow identifies a military sea- plane base. On aeronautical charts, seaplane landing areas are depicted with symbols similar to land airports, with the addition of an anchor in the center. As with their land counterparts, tick marks around the outside of the symbol denote a seaplane base with fuel and services available, and a double ring identifies military facili- ties. [Figure 1-2] According to United States Coast Guard (USCG) regulations, the definition of a vessel includes virtu- ally anything capable of being used for transportation on water, including seaplanes on the water. Therefore, any time a seaplane is operating on the Buoys are floating markers held in place with cables or chains to the bottom. Daybeacons are used for similar purposes in shallower waters, and usually consist of a marker placed on top of a piling or pole driven into the bottom. Locations of buoys within U.S. waters are 1-2 BUOYS AND DAYBEACONS RULES OF THE SEA SEAPLANE LANDING AREAS UNITED STATES AIDS FOR MARINE NAVIGATION 14 CFR PART 91, SECTION 91.115 RIGHT-OF-WAY RULES:WATER OPERATIONS INLAND AND INTERNATIONAL WATERS For safe operations, a pilot must be familiar with seaplane bases, maritime rules, and aids to marine navigation. (a) General. Each person operating an aircraft on the water shall, insofar as possible, keep clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation, and shall give way to any vessel or other aircraft that is given the right-of-way by any rule of this section. (b) Crossing. When aircraft, or an aircraft and a ves- sel, are on crossing courses, the aircraft or vessel to the other’s right has the right-of-way. (c) Approaching head-on. When aircraft, or an air- craft and a vessel, are approaching head-on, or nearly so, each shall alter its course to the right to keep well clear. (d) Overtaking. Each aircraft or vessel that is being overtaken has the right-of-way, and the one over- taking shall alter course to keep well clear. (e) Special circumstances. When aircraft, or an air- craft and a vessel, approach so as to involve risk of collision, each aircraft or vessel shall proceed with careful regard to existing circumstances, including the limitations of the respective craft.