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Charleston sunset cruise
You came for captained boat tours on Charleston Harbor after sunset, and the jetty line decides which navigation rules you are under.
Inside the Charleston Harbor jetty lines, you are on Inland Rules waters.
Outside those lines, you are on COLREGS waters.
The Inland rules concerning lights apply from sunset to sunrise.
A sunset cruise on this harbor crosses a line the Coast Guard draws at the jetties. Inside that line, the Inland rules are the ones that include the light rule from sunset to sunrise.
Where Charleston Harbor's line sits
(a) A line formed by the submerged north jetty from the shore to the west end of the north jetty. (b) A line drawn from across the seaward extremity of the Charleston Harbor Jetties. (c) A line drawn from the west end of the South Jetty across the South Entrance to Charleston Harbor to shore on a line formed by the submerged south jetty.
33 CFR 80.710, Charleston Harbor, SC
The waters inside of the lines are Inland Rules waters. The waters outside the lines are COLREGS waters.
33 CFR 80.01, demarcation lines
| Where the boat is | Rules that apply |
|---|---|
| Inside the lines | Inland Rules waters |
| Outside the lines | COLREGS waters |
Lights from sunset to sunrise
The Rules concerning lights shall be complied with from sunset to sunrise, and during such times no other lights shall be exhibited, except such lights as cannot be mistaken for the lights specified in these Rules or do not impair their visibility or distinctive character, or interfere with the keeping of a proper lookout.
That sentence is the Inland rule. It is the rule on the inside of the Charleston Harbor lines. The sections quoted here do not state a departure clock time or a fare.
Questions people ask
Q1. Which rules apply inside Charleston Harbor?
33 CFR 80.01 says the waters inside of the demarcation lines are Inland Rules waters, and the waters outside the lines are COLREGS waters. 33 CFR 80.710 draws that line at the Charleston Harbor jetties.
Q2. Do navigation lights have to be on after sunset?
Inland Rule 20 says the rules concerning lights shall be complied with from sunset to sunrise.
Q3. Where is the Charleston Harbor line?
33 CFR 80.710 describes a line on the submerged north jetty, a line across the seaward extremity of the Charleston Harbor Jetties, and a line from the west end of the South Jetty across the South Entrance.
We did not measure the tide, the seats still open, or a fare.