Art. 2 General Provisions. 8 11 1. When two steamboats are meeting, end on, or nearly end on, so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter her course to starboard, so that each may pass on the port side of the other. 2. When two steam vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way of the other. 3. When a steam vessel and a sailing vessel are proceeding in such directions as to involve risk of collision, the steam vessel shall keep out of the way of the sailing vessel. 4. When, by any of these rules, one of two vessels is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course and speed. 5. Every vessel under steam, when approaching another steamboat or small boat or vessel of any kind, so as to involve the risk of collision, shall slacken her speed, or if necessary, shall stop and reverse her engine, and every vessel under steam shall, when in a fog, go at a moderate speed. 6. Any steam vessel overtaking another steam vessel shall keep out of the way of the last-mentioned steam vessel. 7. When two steam vessels are going in the same direction the stern steam vessel wishing to pass the other shall signal the forward steam vessel of her intention to pass on the port side by two distinct whistles, and to pass on her starboard side by one distinct whistle, which shall be answered by the forward steam vessel with the same number of whistles, and the forward steam vessel shall keep on her course as if no signal had been given. 8. Steamboats approaching each other shall, at not less than three hundred yards distance from each other, give a signal with one loud, distinct whistle. 9. When two steamboats are approaching each other, and if the course of such steamboats is so far on the starboard side of each as not to be considered by the pilots as meeting end on, or nearly so, or if the steamboats are approaching each other, in such manner that passing to the right as in rule one is deemed unsafe by the pilot of either steamboat, the pilot so first deciding shall give two short and distinct blasts on his steam whistle, which the pilot of the other steamboat shall answer promptly by two blasts of his steam whistle, and they shall pass to the left (on the starboard) side of each other. 10. When two steamboats are approaching each other and the pilot of either steamboat fails to understand the course or intention of the other, whether from the signals being given or answered erroneously or from other cause, the pilot so in doubt shall immediately signify the same by giving several short and rapid blasts of the steam whistle, and if the boats shall have approached § 12 General Provisions. Art. 2 within five hundred yards of each other, both shall be immediately slowed to a speed barely sufficient for steerageway until the proper signals are given, answered and understood, or until the boats have passed each other. 11. When a steamboat is running in a fog or thick weather it shall be the duty of the pilot to cause a long blast of the steam whistle to be sounded at intervals not exceeding one minute. 12. Signals of distress shall be four distinct blasts of the whistle, and shall be recognized by the master of any steamboat hearing the same, and he shall render such assistance as is in his power. 13. Any steamboat landing at a wharf shall have the right of the wharf for a period of five minutes; if detained at the wharf for a longer period than five minutes, the steamboat at the wharf shall allow another steamboat to land alongside and discharge her passengers and freight over her decks for at least ten minutes, and thereafter until such first steamboat shall leave said wharf. 14. In construing these provisions, due regard must be had to all the dangers of navigation, and to any special circumstances which may exist, rendering a departure therefrom necessary in order to avoid immediate danger. 15. Every steam vessel which is under sail and not under steam is to be considered a sailing vessel, and every vessel under steam, whether under sail or not, is to be considered a steam vessel. 16. Nothing in this article shall be construed to extend to any boat or lighter not being masted, or if masted and not decked, employed in the harbor of any town or city. 17. All steamboats licensed under the provisions of this article shall conform to and obey such other rules and regulations as the inspectors may prescribe, not inconsistent herewith. 18. Every vessel propelled by machinery on the waters within the jurisdiction of this state, shall have two copies of this section framed, one to be placed in the pilot-house for the government of the pilot, and the other to be hung in a conspicuous place on the vessel for the inspection of the passengers. Formerly L. 1897, ch. 592, § 11, as am'd by L. 1903, ch. 420, § 1. § 12. Lights on vessels. The master of every steamboat or vessel propelled by machinery when navigating between sunset and sunrise, shall cause the same to carry the following lights: 1. At the foremast head, a bright white light, of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least two miles, and so constructed as to show a uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of twenty points of the compass, and to be so fixed as to throw the Art. 2 General Provisions. §§ 13, 14 light ten points on each side of the vessel, namely, from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on either side. 2. On the starboard side a green light, of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least two miles; and be so constructed as to show a uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of ten points of the compass, and so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the starboard side. 3. On the port side, a red light, of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least two miles, and so constructed as to show a uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of ten points of the compass, and so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the port side. The green and red lights shall be fitted with inboard screens, projecting at least three feet forward from the lights, so as to prevent them from being seen across the bow. 4. The master of every vessel other than a steamboat anchored in the night time shall cause her peak to be lowered and a good and sufficient light to be thrown from her taffrail in some part of her rigging and at least twenty feet above her deck. In the case of small vessels, the inspectors may make specific rules for lights different from the foregoing. Formerly L. 1897, ch. 592, § 12. § 13. Steam fire pump. Every steam vessel permitted by her certificate to carry one hundred passengers or upwards, shall be provided with a good double-acting steam fire pump or other equivalent apparatus for throwing water, the same to be at all times during the navigation of such vessel, kept ready for immediate use, having hose of suitable size and of sufficient strength to stand a pressure of at least seventy-five pounds to the square inch, and of a length to be specified by the inspectors. Formerly L. 1897, ch. 592, § 13, as am'd by L. 1903, ch. 420, § 1. § 14. Life boats. Every ferry boat propelled by machinery shall be provided with at least one substantial boat, fifteen feet or more in length, and properly supplied with oars, and kept tight and in good condition at all times, and so attached to such ferry boat that it may in case of need be launched into the water for immediate use. Every steamboat or vessel propelled by machinery and carrying passengers shall be provided, if of the measurement of two hundred and fifty and less than five hundred tons burden, with at least two substantial row boats, with life lines attached and properly supplied with oars, and kept tight and in good condition at all times, and so attached as to be capable of 8 15 General Provisions. Art. 2 being launched into the water for immediate use in case of need; and if of the measurement of five hundred tons or more, with at least one first class life boat and one row boat twenty-five feet long by seven wide, capable of carrying or supporting fifty persons each, and at least one row boat of the usual size and construction, all to be properly supplied with oars, and kept tight and in good condition at all times, and so attached as to be capable of being launched into the water for immediate use in case of need. Every such vessel may also be required to carry such other boats, as the inspectors, on account of the route, or the number of passengers, deem requisite, and the master of such vessel shall exercise and discipline his crew in the launching, use and management of the boats until they become skilled boatmen. Formerly L. 1897, ch. 592, § 14, as am'd by L. 1903, ch. 420, § 1. § 15. Life preservers; axes; buckets. Every steam vessel or vessel propelled by machinery used in the transportation of passengers for hire, and every excursion barge or vessel towed, or partly towed and partly propelled by machinery, used in the transportation of passengers for hire, shall have a life preserver or life float for each passenger she is allowed to carry and for each member of her crew. At least one-half thereof shall be life preservers, made of good sound cork blocks, adjustable to the body of a person, with belts and shoulder straps properly attached, and so constructed as to place the cork underneath the shoulders and around the body of the person wearing it; each such life preserver to contain at least six pounds of good cork having a buoyancy of at least four pounds to each pound of cork; and the other half or part thereof may be life floats, to be constructed of dry pine plank, four feet long, two inches thick and twelve inches wide, with lines properly attached in such manner as to be convenient for use. It shall be the duty of the inspectors to satisfactorily ascertain that every life preserver and such life floats are as herein required. Such life preservers and life floats shall be kept in convenient, accessible places in such vessel in readiness for immediate use in case of accident, and the places where the same are to be kept shall be designated in the inspectors' certificate, and also pointed out by printed notices posted in such places as the inspectors direct. Every such vessel shall carry in convenient places, at least ten buckets filled with water, with dip lines attached, and three axes in good condition; but the inspectors may, if they deem it necessary or proper, require a larger, or in case of very small vessels, permit a smaller number of buckets and axes. Formerly L. 1897, ch. 592, § 15, as am'd by L. 1905, ch. 74, § 1. Art. 2 General Provisions. §§ 16-19 § 16. Interference with safety valve. Whoever intentionally loads or obstructs, or causes to be loaded or obstructed, in any way, the safety valve of the boiler, or employs any other means or device whereby the boiler may be subjected to a greater pressure than the pressure allowed by the inspectors' certificate, or intentionally deranges or hinders the operation of any machinery or device employed to denote the stage of the water or steam in any boiler, or to give warning of approaching danger, or intentionally permits the water to fall below the prescribed low water limit of the boiler, shall forfeit to the people of the state the sum of five hundred dollars for each violation. Formerly L. 1897, ch. 592, § 16, as am'd by L. 1903, ch. 420, § 1. § 17. Licenses. Every person employed as master, pilot or engineer on board of a steam vessel or a vessel propelled by machinery, carrying passengers for hire, or towing for hire, shall be examined by the inspectors as to his qualifications, and if satisfied therewith they shall grant him a license for the term of one year for such boat, boats or class of boats as said inspectors may specify in such license. In a proper case, the license may permit and specify that the master may act as pilot, and in case of small vessels also as engineer and pilot. The license shall be framed under glass, and posted in some conspicuous place on the vessel on which he may act. Whoever acts as master, pilot or engineer, without having first received such license, or upon a boat or class of boats not specified in his license, shall be liable to a penalty of fifty dollars for each day that he so acts, except as in this article otherwise specified, and such license may be revoked by the inspectors for intemperance, incompetency or wilful violation of duty. Formerly L. 1897, ch. 592, § 17. § 18. Lamps. No licensed vessel carrying passengers for hire shall be allowed to use in lamps, lanterns or other lights on such vessel, any oil which will not stand a fire test of at least three hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Formerly L. 1897, ch. 592, § 18. § 19. Names of vessels. Every vessel subject to the provisions of this chapter, shall have her name and the port to which she belongs painted on her stern on a black background in white, yellow or gilt letters, of not less than three inches in length. If any vessel, which is subject to the provisions of this chapter, shall be found without having her name and the name of the port to which she belongs so painted, the owner or owners |