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Inland · Rule 36

Signals to Attract Attention

Any vessel may, if necessary to attract another's attention, make light or sound signals that cannot be mistaken for a signal authorized elsewhere in the rules, or direct the beam of her searchlight in danger's direction (without embarrassing other vessels).

Source: 33 CFR §83.36Last verified 2026-05-16

Rule text#

Source

Verbatim 33 CFR §83.36 as published in the Code of Federal Regulations — public domain, retrieved 2026-05-16.

If necessary to attract the attention of another vessel, any vessel may make light or sound signals that cannot be mistaken for any signal authorized elsewhere in these Rules, or may direct the beam of her searchlight in the direction of the danger, in such a way as not to embarrass any vessel.

Authoritative source#

Source links checked against the current public rule corpus on 2026-05-16.

  • 33 CFR §83.36 — the section this text comes from, with its neighbours.
  • The Inland Navigation Rules are codified at 33 CFR Part 83 and are public domain. The international COLREGs text is published separately by the IMO.

Practice this rule#

One real exam question on this rule, cited to source. No sign-up.

According to 33 CFR §151.05, which of the following is included in the definition of 'graywater'?

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All Inland Navigation RulesRule 32 — Sound Signal DefinitionsRule 33 — Equipment for Sound SignalsRule 34 — Maneuvering and Warning SignalsRule 35 — Sound Signals in Restricted VisibilityRule 37 — Distress SignalsCOLREGs Rule 36Practice Rule 32Practice Rule 34Practice Rule 35Practice: Rules of the Road
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Inland Rule 36: Signals to Attract Attention — USCG Captain's Exam Prep · CaptainsGround