(a) Notwithstanding any provision herein, the loading of cargo, draft and speed of a vessel in transit shall be controlled by the master, who shall take into account the vessel's individual characteristics and its tendency to list or squat, so as to avoid striking bottom.

(b) The draught of a vessel shall meet minimum draft requirements as defined at inspection on the Enhanced Ship Inspection form and not, in any case, exceed 79.2 dm or the maximum permissible draught designated in a Seaway Notice by the Manager and the Corporation for the part of the Seaway in which a vessel is passing.

(c) Any vessel will be permitted to load at an increased draught of not more than 7 cm above the maximum permissible draught in effect as prescribed under paragraph (b) of this section if it is equipped with a Draught Information System (DIS) and meets the following:

(1) An operational Draught Information System (DIS) approved by a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) as compliant with the Implementation Specifications found at www.greatlakes-seaway.com and having onboard:

(i) An operational AIS with accuracy approved by the Seaway; and

(ii) Up-to-date electronic charts; and

(iii) Up-to-date charts containing high resolution bathymetric data; and

(iv) Vessels must be equipped with a bow thruster and bow thruster must be operational.

(2) The DIS Tool Display shall be located as close to the primary conning position and be visible and legible.

(i) Verification document of the DIS must be kept on board the vessel at all times and made available for inspection;

(ii) DIS license to use the software must be valid;

(iii) Software version of DIS matches the version in the IACS verification letter, or higher;

(iv) A company letter attesting to officer training on use of the DIS must be kept on board and made available for inspection; and

(v) When transiting Seaway waters with the DIS, a trained officer on the use of the DIS must be on the bridge.

(3) Any vessel not yet approved, but intending to use the DIS in the Seaway must notify the Manager or the Corporation at least 96 hours in advance so that arrangements can be made for appropriate testing for approval to use the DIS to transit the Seaway.

(4) A vessel already approved to use the DIS to transit the Seaway must email a completed DIS Confirmation Checklist (found at www.greatlakes-seaway.com) to [email protected] 96 hours prior to its initial transit of the navigation season.

(5) If for any reason the DIS, AIS, or bow thruster becomes inoperable, malfunctions, or is not used while the vessel is transiting at a draught greater than the maximum permissible draught prescribed under paragraph (b) of this section in effect at the time, the vessel must notify the Manager or the Corporation immediately.