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Last updated in September 2020, current as of May 2024. Printed in Color. An up-to-date printed copy of this publication may be used to meet the 'copy of these Rules' requirement of 33 CFR 83.01(g) or Inland Rule 1(g). The International Rules in this book were formalized in the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, and became effective on July 15, 1977. The Rules (commonly called 72 COLREGS) are part of the Convention, and vessels flying the flags of states ratifying the treaty are bound to the Rules. The United States has ratified this treaty and all United States flag vessels must adhere to these Rules where applicable. These Rules are applicable on waters outside of established navigational lines of demarcation. The lines are called COLREGS Demarcation Lines and delineate those waters upon which mariners shall comply with the Inland and International Rules. COLREGS Demarcation Lines are contained in this book. This handbook is a compendium produced by the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Navigation Systems, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C, of the International and Inland Rules of the Road and their respective annexes, the Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Regulations, and Vessel Traffic Management Regulations, as last updated in September 2020 by 85 FR 58268.