Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Code of Federal Regulations Title 33. Navigation and Navigable Waters § 33.161.60 Vessel Traffic Service Prince William Sound

Current as of January 02, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) The VTS area consists of the navigable waters of the United States north of a line drawn from Cape Hinchinbrook Light to Schooner Rock Light, comprising that portion of Prince William Sound between 146°30′W. and 147°20′W. and includes Valdez Arm, Valdez Narrows and Port Valdez.

(b) The Valdez Arm VTS Special Area consists of the waters of the Valdez Arm Traffic Separation Scheme (described in § 167.1703 of this chapter);  the waters northeast of a line drawn from shoreline to shoreline through the points 60°58.04'N, 146°46.52'W and 60°58.93'N, 146°48.86'W;  and southwest of a line bearing 307° True from Tongue Point at 61°02.10'N, 146°40.00'W.

(c) The Valdez Narrows VTS Special Area consists of those waters of Valdez Arm, Valdez Narrows, and Port Valdez northeast of a line bearing 307° True from Tongue Point at 61°02'06” N., 146°40′W.;  and southwest of a line bearing 307° True from Entrance Island Light at 61°05′06″N., 146°36′42″W.

(d) Additional VTS Special Area Operating Requirements. The following additional requirements are applicable in the Valdez Narrows VTS Special Area:

(1) No VMRS User shall proceed north of 61° N. without prior approval of the VTS.

(2) For a vessel listed in paragraph (c)(3) of this section—

(i) Approval to enter this area will not be granted to a vessel when a tank vessel of more than 20,000 deadweight tons is navigating therein;

(ii) A northbound vessel shall remain south of 61° N. until the VTS has granted permission to proceed;  and

(iii) A southbound vessel shall remain in Port Valdez east of 146°35′W. and north of 61°06′N. until the VTS has granted permission to proceed.

(3) Paragraph (c)(2) of this section applies to—

(i) A vessel of 1600 gross tons or more;  and

(ii) A towing vessel of 8 meters or more in length, except for a vessel performing duties as an escort vessel as defined in 33 CFR Part 168.

(e) Reporting Points.

Table 161.60(d)—VTS Prince William Sound Reporting Points

Designator

Geographic name

Geographic description

Latitude/longitude

Notes

1A

Cape Hinchinbrook

Cape Hinchinbrook

60°16′18″N; 146°45′30″ W

Northbound Only.

1B

Schooner Rock

Schooner Rock

60°18′42″N; 146°51′36″W

Southbound Only.

2A

Naked Island

Naked Island

60°40′00″N; 147°01′24″W

Northbound Only.

2B

Naked Island

Naked Island

60°40′00″N; 147°05′00″W

Southbound Only.

3A

Bligh Reef

Bligh Reef Light (Pilot Embark)

60°50′36″N; 146°57′30″W

Northbound Only.

3B

Bligh Reef

Bligh Reef Light (Pilot Disembark)

60°51′00″N; 147°01′24″ W

Southbound Only.

4A

Rocky Point

Rocky Point

60°57′48″N; 146°47′30″W

Northbound Only.

4B

Rocky Point

Rocky Point

60°57′48″N; 146°50′00″W

Southbound Only.

5

Entrance Island

Entrance Island Light

61°05′24″N; 146°37′30″W.
Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Code of Federal Regulations Title 33. Navigation and Navigable Waters § 33.161.60 Vessel Traffic Service Prince William Sound - last updated January 02, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/cfr/title-33-navigation-and-navigable-waters/cfr-sect-33-161-60/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard