STEAM-VESSELS SHALL KEEP OUT OF THE WAY OF SAILING-VESSELS. ART. 20. 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. COURSE AND SPEED. ART. 21. Where, by any of these rules, one of the two vessels is to keep out of the way the other shall keep her course and speed. Note. When, in consequence of thick weather or other causes, such vessel finds herself so close that collision can not be avoided by the action of the giving-way vessel alone, she also shall take such action as will best aid to avert collision. (See articles twenty-seven and twenty-nine.) CROSSING AHEAD. ART. 22. Every vessel which is directed by these rules to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other. STEAM-VESSEL SHALL SLACKEN SPEED OR STOP. ART. 23. Every steam-vessel which is directed by these rules to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, on approaching her, if necessary, slacken her speed or stop or reverse. OVERTAKING VESSELS. ART. 24. Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules every vessel, overtaking any other, shall keep out of the way of the overtaken vessel. Every vessel coming up with another vessel from any direction more than two points abaft her beam, that is, in such a position, with reference to the vessel which she is overtaking that at night she would be unable to see either of that vessel's side-lights, shall be deemed to be an overtaking vessel; and no subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two vessels shall make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of these rules, or relieve her of the duty of keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally past and clear. As by day the overtaking vessel can not always know with certainty whether she is forward of or abaft this direction from the other vessel she should, if in doubt, assume that she is an overtaking vessel and keep out of the way. NARROW CHANNELS. ART. 25. In narrow channels every steam-vessel shall, when it is safe and practicable, keep to that side of the fair-way or mid-channel which lies on the starboard side of such vessel. RIGHTS OF WAY OF FISHING VESSELS. APT. 26. Sailing-vessels under way shall keep out of the way of sailing-vessels or boats fishing with nets, or lines, or trawls. This rule shall not give to any vessel or boat engaged in fishing the right of obstructing a fair-way used by vessels other than fishing-vessels or boats. GENERAL PRUDENTIAL RULE. ART. 27. In obeying and construing these rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision, and to any special circumstances which STEAM-VESSELS SHALL KEEP OUT OF THE WAY OF SAILING-VESSELS. ART. 20. 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. COURSE AND SPEED. ART. 21. Where, by any of these rules, one of the two vessels is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course and speed. CROSSING AHEAD. ART. 22. Every vessel which is directed by these rules to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other. STEAM-VESSEL SHALL SLACKEN SPEED OR STOP. ART. 23. Every steam-vessel which is directed by these rules to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, on approaching her, if necessary, slacken her speed or stop or reverse. OVERTAKING VESSELS. ART. 24. Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules every vessel, overtaking any other, shall keep out of the way of the overtaken vessel. Every vessel coming up with another vessel from any direction more than two points abaft her beam, that is, in such a position, with reference to the vessel which she is overtaking that at night she would be unable to see either of that vessel's side-lights, shall be deemed to be an overtaking vessel; and no subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two vessels shall make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of these rules, or relieve her of the duty of keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally past and clear. As by day the overtaking vessel can not always know with certainty whether she is forward of or abaft this direction from the other vessel she should, if in doubt, assume that she is an overtaking vessel and keep out of her way. NARROW CHANNELS. ART. 25. In narrow channels every steam-vessel shall, when it is safe and practicable, keep to that side of the fair-way or mid-channel which lies on the starboard side of such vessel. RIGHTS OF WAY OF FISHING VESSELS. ART. 26. Sailing-vessels under way shall keep or boats fishing with nets, or lines, or trawls. vessel or boat engaged in fishing the right of vessels other than fishing-vessels or boats. out of the way of sailing-vessels This rule shall not give to any obstructing a fair-way used by GENERAL PRUDENTIAL RULE. ART. 27. In obeying and construing these rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision, and to any special circumstances which may render a departure from the above rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger. SOUND-SIGNALS FOR VESSELS IN SIGHT OF ONE ANOTHER. Art. 28. The words "short blast" used in this article shall mean a blast of about one second's duration. When vessels are in sight of one another, a steam-vessel under way, in taking any course authorized or required by these rules, shall indicate that course by the following signals on her whistle or siren, namely : One short blast to mean, "I am directing my course to starboard." NO VESSEL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, TO NEGLECT PROPER PRECAUTIONS. ART. 29. Nothing in these rules shall exonerate any vessel or the owner or master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to carry lights or signals, or of any neglect to keep a proper lookout, or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case. RESERVATION OF RULES FOR HARBORS AND INLAND NAVIGATION. ART. 30. Nothing in these rules shall interfere with the operation of a special rule, duly made by local authority, relative to the navigation of any harbor, river, or inland waters. DISTRESS SIGNALS. ART. 31. When a vessel is in distress and requires assistance from other vessels or from the shore the following shall be the signals to be used or displayed by her, either together or separately, namely: In the daytime— First. A gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute. Second. The international code signal of distress indicated by N. C. Third. The distance signal, consisting of a square flag, having either above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball. Fourth. A continuous sounding with any fog-signal apparatus. At night First. A gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute. Second. Flames on the vessel as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, and so forth. Third. Rockets or shells throwing stars of any color or description, fired one at a time, at short intervals. Fourth. A continuous sounding with any fog-signal apparatus. may render a departure from the above rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger. SOUND-SIGNALS FOR VESSELS IN SIGHT OF ONE ANOTHER. Art. 28. When vessels are in sight of one another a steam-vessel under way whose engines are going at full speed astern shall indicate that fact by three short blasts on the whistle. NO VESSEL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, TO NEGLECT PROPER PRECAUTIONS. ART. 29. Nothing in these rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner or master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to carry lights or signals, or of any neglect to keep a proper lookout, or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case. LIGHTS ON NAVAL AND REVENUE VESSELS. ART. 30. The exhibition of any light on board of a vessel of war of the United States or a revenue cutter may be suspended whenever, in the opinion of the Secretary of the Navy, the commander in chief of a squadron, or the commander of a vessel acting singly, the special character of the service may require it. DISTRESS SIGNALS. ART. 31. When a vessel is in distress and requires assistance from other vessels or from the shore the following shall be the signals to be used or displayed by her, either together or separately, namely: IN THE DAYTIME. A continuous sounding with any fog-signal apparatus, or firing a gun. First. forth. AT NIGHT Flames on the vessel as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, and so Second. A continuous sounding with any fog-signal apparatus, or firing a gun. |