Answer: No. The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) apply to all modes of transportation, highway, rail, air, and vessel, when transporting regulated hazardous materials in commerce. Even private vessel operators transporting hazardous materials in commerce are not exempt, and would be subject to requirements including but not limited to placarding, shipping papers, training, etc.

The 1,001-pound exception refers to a placarding exception. The exception is found in 172.504(c), and says that if "hazardous materials covered by Table 2 of 172.504 are transported by highway...placards are not required on ... a transport vehicle or freight container which contains less than 454 kg (1,001 lbs.) aggregate gross weight of hazardous materials covered by Table 2 ..."