RESERVATION OF RULES FOR HARBORS AND INLAND NAVIGATION

§ 131. Repealed. Oct. 11, 1951, ch. 495, § 5, 65 Stat. 407, eff. Jan. 1, 1954.

Section, act Aug. 19, 1890, ch. 802, § 1, 26 Stat. 328, related to local rules for harbors and inland waters, and is now covered by section 147b of this title.

DISTRESS SIGNALS

§ 141. Repealed. Oct. 11, 1951, ch. 495, § 5, 65 Stat. 407, eff. Jan. 1, 1954.

Section, acts Aug. 19, 1890, ch. 802, § 1, 26 Stat. 328; May 28, 1894, ch. 83, 28 Stat. 83, related to distress signals, and is now covered by section 147c of this title.

ORDERS

§ 142. Repealed. Oct. 11, 1951, ch. 495, § 5, 65 Stat. 407, eff. Jan. 1, 1954.

Section, act Aug. 19, 1890, ch. 802, § 1, Art. 32, as added Aug. 21, 1935, ch. 595, § 1, 49 Stat. 668, related to orders to helmsmen, and is now covered by section 147d of this title.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 143. Regulations for preventing collisions at sea; proclamation by President; applicability.

The President is authorized to proclaim the regulations set forth in sections 144-147d of this title for preventing collisions involving water-borne craft upon the high seas, and in all waters connected therewith. Such proclamation, together with the regulations, shall be published in the Federal Register, and after the effective date specified in such proclamation, such regulations shall have effect as if enacted by statute and shall be followed by all public and private vessels of the United States, and by all aircraft of United States registry to the extent therein made applicable. Sections 144-147d of this title shall not apply to the harbors, rivers, and inland waters of the United States; to the Great Lakes of North America and their connecting and tributary waters as far east as the lower exit of the Lachine Canal in Montreal in the Province of Quebec, Canada; to the Red River of the North and the rivers emptying into the Gulf of Mexico and their tributaries; nor, with respect to aircraft, to any territorial waters of the United States. (Oct. 11, 1951, ch. 495, § 1, 65 Stat. 406.)

PRIOR RULES

International Rules for Navigation at Sea of 1890 were adopted under former section 61 of this title.

CONFLICTING LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Section 5 of act Oct. 11, 1951, provided that: "After such regulations proclaimed under section 1 hereof [this section] shall have taken effect, all statutes, regulations, and rules in conflict therewith shall be of no further force and effect. Until such time as such regulations shall have been proclaimed and made effective pursuant to this Act [sections 143-147d of this title, and sections 177 (a) and 560 (a) (6) of Title 49, Transportation], nothing herein shall in any way limit, supersede, or repeal any regulations for the prevention of collisions, which have heretofore been prescribed by statute, regulation, or rule." Ex. ORD. No. 10402. ENFORCEMENT OF CONVENTION FOR SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA, 1948

Ex. Ord. No. 10402, Oct. 31, 1952, 17 F. R. 9917, provided: Whereas under Article I of the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, signed at London on June 10, 1948, ratified by the United States of America, and proclaimed by the President on September 10, 1952

(Treaties and Other International Acts, Series 2495), the Government of the United States of America, together with the governments of the other countries which have become parties to the Convention, undertakes to give effect to the provisions of the said Convention and of the Regulations annexed thereto, to promulgate all laws, decrees, orders, and regulations, and to take all other steps which may be necessary to give the Convention full and complete effect, so as to insure that, from the point of view of safety of life, a ship is fit for the service for which it is intended; and

Whereas it is expedient and necessary, in order that the Government of the United States of America may give full and complete effect to the said Convention, that several departments and agencies of the executive branch of the said Government perform functions and duties thereunder; and

Whereas in accordance with Article XI of the Convention it has been determined that the Convention will come into force on November 19, 1952:

Now, therefore, by virtue of and pursuant to the authority vested in me as President of the United States of America, it is ordered as follows:

1. The Department of State, the Department of the Treasury (Coast Guard), the Department of Commerce (Weather Bureau), and the Federal Communications Commission, respectively, are hereby directed, in relation to the fulfillment of the obligations undertaken by the Government of the United States of America under the said Convention, to perform the functions and duties therein prescribed and undertaken which appertain to the functions and duties which they severally are now directed or authorized by law to perform. Each of the said departments and the said commission shall cooperate and assist the others in carrying out the duties imposed by the Convention and by this order.

2. The Department of the Treasury (Coast Guard), or such other agency as may be authorized by law so to do, shall issue certificates as required by the said Convention, and in any case in which a certificate is to include matter which appertains to the functions and duties directed or authorized by law to be performed by any department or agency other than the issuing agency, the issuing agency shall first ascertain from such other department or agency its decision with respect to such matter, and such decision shall be final and binding.

3. Whenever the Coast Guard operates as a part of the Navy, the functions to be performed by the Department of the Treasury (Coast Guard) under this order shall vest in and be performed by the Department of the Navy (Coast Guard).

4. This order supersedes Executive Order No. 7548 of February 5, 1937 [2 F. R. 307], entitled "Enforcement of the Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1929", to the extent that the said International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea signed at London on June 10, 1948, replaces and abrogates the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea signed at London on May 31, 1929.

5. This order shall be effective as of September 10, 1952. INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION, AND ENABLING PROCLAMATION The convention, known as the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, was signed at London on June 10, 1948, and was ratified by the United States on April 20, 1949 (see Senate Report No. 838, Sept. 26, 1951, to accompany H. R. 5013, 82d Cong.). The "International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1948", approved by the 1948 London conference, were adopted by section 6 of act Oct. 11, 1951, and are classified to section 144 et seq. of this title.

The proclamation which specifies the effective date of such regulations, referred to in this section, is set out below.

PROC. No. 3030. ENABLING PROCLAMATION Proc. No. 3030. Aug. 19, 1953, 18 F. R. 4983, provided: Whereas, certain regulations designated as Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1948, were approved by the International Conference on Safety of Life at Sea, 1948, held at London from April 23 to June 10, 1948; and Whereas by the act approved October 11, 1951 (ch. 495, 65 Stat. 406) [sections 143-143d of this title], the Congress of the United States of America has authorized the President of the United States of America to proclaim

the said regulations, which are set forth in section 6 of the said act as amended by the act approved June 26, 1953 (Public Law 82, 83d Congress, 1st session) [sections 144-147d of this title], and to specify the effective date thereof, the regulations to have effect (after the effective date thus specified), as if enacted by statute; and

Whereas on October 26, 1951, the Government of the United States of America communicated to the Government of the United Kingdom, the depository nation, its acceptance of the regulations; and

Whereas the Government of the United States of America has been notified by the Government of the United Kingdom, as depository nation, that substantial unanimity has been reached as to the acceptance by interested countries, and that it has fixed January 1, 1954, as the date on and after which the regulations shall be applied by the Governments which have accepted them; Now, Therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, under and by virtue of the authority vested in me by the aforesaid act, do hereby proclaim the said Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1948, as set forth in section 6 of the said act, as amended [sections 144-147d of this title], which are attached hereto and made a part hereof, and do specify the effective date thereof as January 1, 1954.

§143a. Navy and Coast Guard vessels; exemption regarding lights.

Any requirements of sections 144-147d of this title in respect of the number, position, range of visibility, or arc of visibility of the lights required to be displayed by vessels shall not apply to any vessel of the Navy or of the Coast Guard whenever the Secretary of the Navy or the Secretary of the Treasury, in the case of Coast Guard vessels operating under the Treasury Department, or such official as either may designate, shall find or certify that, by reason of special construction, it is not possible for such vessel or class of vessels to comply with such sections. The lights of any such exempted vessel or class of vessels, however, shall conform as closely to the requirements of the applicable regulations in such sections as the Secretary or such official shall find or certify to be feasible. Notice of such findings or certification and of the character and position of the lights prescribed to be displayed on such exempted vessel or class of vessels shall be published in the Federal Register and in the Notice to Mariners and, after the effective date specified in such notice, shall have effect as part of such regulations. (Oct. 11, 1951, ch. 495, § 2, 65 Stat. 407.)

EFFECTIVE DATE

Section as effective Jan. 1, 1954, see Proc. No. 3030, Aug. 19, 1953, 18 F. R. 4983, set out as a note under section 143 of this title.

CROSS REFERENCES

Exemption of Navy or Coast Guard vessels from certain navigation rules, see sections 360 and 360a of this title.

§ 143b. Designation of regulations.

The regulations authorized to be proclaimed under section 143 of this title are the Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1948, approved by the

International Conference on Safety of Life at Sea, 1948, held at London from April 23 to June 10, 1948, and are set out in sections 144-147d of this title. (Oct. 11, 1951, ch. 495, § 6, 65 Stat. 408.)

CODIFICATION

Section comprises the opening paragraph of section 6 of act Oct. 11, 1951. The remainder of such section 6 set out the regulations (rules) referred to in this section, including preliminary regulations preceding Rule 17. The regulations are set out as sections 144-147d of this title.

In the text of the original, "and are set out in sections 144-147d of this title" read "as follows:".

EFFECTIVE DATE

Section as effective Jan. 1, 1954, see Proc. No. 3030, Aug. 19, 1953, 18 F. R. 4983, set out as a note under section 143 of this title. PROCLAMATION

The proclamation, referred to in this section, is Proc. No. 3030. See effective date note above.

PRELIMINARY and DEFINITIONS

§ 144. Scope of sections 144-147d (Rule 1). (a) Watercraft to which applicable.

Sections 144-147d of this title shall be followed by all vessels and seaplanes upon the high seas and in all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels, except as provided in section 147b of this title. Where, as a result of their special construction, it is not possible for seaplanes to comply fully with the provisions of sections 145-145n of this title specifying the carrying of lights and shapes, these provisions shall be followed as closely as circumstances permit.

(b) Provisions concerning lights; conditions governing compliance.

The provisions of sections 145-145n of this title concerning lights shall be complied with in all weathers from sunset to sunrise, and during such times no other lights shall be exhibited, except such lights as cannot be mistaken for the prescribed lights or impair their visibility or distinctive character, or interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out. (c) Definitions.

In sections 145-147d of this title, except where the context otherwise requires:

(i) the word "vessel" includes every description of water craft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water;

(ii) the word "seaplane" includes a flying boat and any other aircraft designed to manoeuvre on the water;

(iii) the term "power-driven vessel" means any vessel propelled by machinery;

(iv) every power-driven vessel which is under sail and not under power is to be considered a sailing vessel, and every vessel under power, whether under sail or not, is to be considered a powerdriven vessel;

(v) a vessel or seaplane on the water is "under way" when she is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground;

(vi) the term "height above the hull" means height above the uppermost continuous deck; (vii) the length and breadth of a vessel shall be deemed to be the length and breadth appearing in her certificate of registry;

(viii) the length and span of a seaplane shall be its maximum length and span as shown in its certificate of airworthiness, or as determined by measurement in the absence of such certificate;

(ix) the word "visible," when applied to lights, means visible on a dark night with a clear atmosphere;

(x) the term "short blast" means a blast of about one second's duration;

(xi) the term "prolonged blast" means a blast of from four to six seconds' duration;

(xii) the word "whistle" means whistle or siren; (xiii) the word "tons" means gross tons. (Oct. 11, 1951, ch. 495, § 6, Part A, 65 Stat. 408.)

PRIOR RULES

Before adoption of this rule, "sailing vessel", "steam vessel", "under way", and "visible" as used in the International Rules for Navigation at Sea of 1890 were defined by former sections 62 and 63 of this title, and time for lights was governed by article 1, International Rules for Navigation at Sea of 1890, former section 71 of this title. CODIFICATION

See note under section 143b of this title.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Section as effective Jan. 1, 1954, see Proc. No. 3030, Aug. 19, 1953, 18 F. R. 4983, set out as a note under section 143 of this title.

CROSS REFERENCES

Demarcation of high seas lines, see section 151 of this

title.

Similar navigation rules for—

Great Lakes and their connecting and tributary waters, see section 242 of this title.

Harbors, rivers and inland waters generally, see section 155 of this title.

Red River of the North and rivers emptying into Gulf of Mexico and tributaries, see section 302 of this title.

LIGHTS AND SHAPES

§ 145. Requirements when under way (Rule 2). (a) Power-driven vessels.

A power-driven vessel when under way shall carry:

(i) On or in front of the foremast, or if a vessel without a foremast then in the forepart of the vessel, a bright white light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 20 points of the compass (225 degrees), so fixed as to show the light 10 points (1121⁄2 degrees) on each side of the vessel, that is, from right ahead to 2 points (221⁄2 degrees) abaft the beam on either side, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least 5 miles.

(ii) Either forward of or abaft the white light mentioned in paragraph (i) of this subsection a second white light similar in construction and character to that light. Vessels of less than 150 feet in length, and vessels engaged in towing, shall not be required to carry this second white light but may do so.

(iii) These two white lights shall be so placed in a line with and over the keel that one shall be at least 15 feet higher than the other and in such a position that the lower light shall be forward of the upper one. The horizontal distance between the two white lights shall be at least three times the vertical distance. The lower of these two white lights or, if only one is carried, then that light, shall be placed at a height above the hull of not

less than 20 feet, and, if the breadth of the vessel exceeds 20 feet, then at a height above the hull not less than such breadth, so however that the light need not be placed at a greater height above the hull than 40 feet. In all circumstances the light or lights, as the case may be, shall be so placed as to be clear of and above all other lights and obstructing superstructures.

(iv) On the starboard side a green light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass (1122 degrees), so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 2 points (221⁄2 degrees) abaft the beam on the starboard side, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least 2 miles.

(v) On the port side a red light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass (1122 degrees), so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 2 points (221⁄2 degrees) abaft the beam on the port side, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least 2 miles.

(vi) The said green and red sidelights shall be fitted with inboard screens projecting at least 3 feet forward from the light, so as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bows.

(b) Seaplanes.

A seaplane under way on the water shall carry:(i) In the forepart amidships where it can best be seen a bright white light, so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 220 degrees of the compass, so fixed as to show the light 110 degrees on each side of the seaplane, namely, from right ahead to 20 degrees abaft the beam on either side, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least 3 miles.

(ii) On the right or starboard wing tip a green light, so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 110 degrees of the compass, so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 20 degrees abaft the beam on the starboard side, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least 2 miles.

(iii) On the left or port wing tip a red light, so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 110 degrees of the compass, so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 20 degrees abaft the beam on the port side, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least 2 miles.

(Oct. 11, 1951, ch. 495, § 6, Part B, 65 Stat. 408.)

PRIOR RULES

Before adoption of this rule, lights of steam vessel under way were governed by article 2, International Rules for Navigation at Sea of 1890, article 2, former section 72 of this title.

CODIFICATION

See note under section 143b of this title.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Section as effective Jan. 1, 1954, see Proc. No. 3030, Aug. 19, 1953, 18 F. R. 4983, set out as a note under section 143 of this title.

CROSS REFERENCES

Similar navigation rules for

Great Lakes and their connecting and tributary waters, see section 252 of this title.

Harbors, rivers and inland waters generally, see section 172 of this title.

Red River of the North and rivers emptying into Gulf of Mexico and tributaries, see sections 312 to 316 of this title.

§ 145a. Towing or pushing other vessels or seaplanes (Rule 3).

(a) A power-driven vessel when towing or pushing another vessel or seaplane shall, in addition to her sidelights, carry two bright white lights in a vertical line one over the other, not less than 6 feet apart, and when towing more than one vessel shall carry an additional bright white light 6 feet above or below such lights, if the length of the tow, measuring from the stern of the towing vessel to the stern of the last vessel or seaplane towed, exceeds 600 feet. Each of these lights shall be of the same construction and character and one of them shall be carried in the same position as the white light mentioned in section 145 (a) (i) of this title, except the additional light, which shall be carried at a height of not less than 14 feet above the hull. In a vessel with a single mast, such lights may be carried on the mast.

(b) The towing vessel shall also show either the stern light specified in section 145h of this title or in lieu of that light a small white light abaft the funnel or aftermast for the tow to steer by, but such light shall not be visible forward of the beam. The carriage of the white light specified in section 145 (a) (ii) of this title is optional.

(c) A seaplane on the water, when towing one or more seaplanes or vessels, shall carry the lights prescribed in section 145 (b) (i), (ii) and (iii) of this title; and, in addition, she shall carry a second white light of the same construction and character as the white light mentioned in section 145 (b) (i) of this title, and in a vertical line at least 6 feet above or below such light. (Oct. 11, 1951, ch. 495, § 6, Part B, 65 Stat. 410.)

PRIOR RULES

Before adoption of this rule, lights of vessel towing another vessel or vessels, were governed by article 3, International Rules for Navigation at Sea of 1890, former section 73 of this title.

CODIFICATION

See note under section 143b of this title.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Section as effective Jan. 1, 1954, see Proc. No. 3030, Aug. 19, 1953, 18 F. R. 4983, set out as a note under section 143 of this title.

CROSS REFERENCES

Similar navigation rules for

Great Lakes and their connecting and tributary waters, see section 253 of this title.

Harbors, rivers and inland waters generally, see section 173 of this title.

Red River of the North and rivers emptying into Gulf of Mexico and tributaries, see section 313 of this title.

§ 145b. Vessels and seaplanes not under command, and vessels engaged in certain operations (Rule 4). (a) A vessel which is not under command shall carry, where they can best be seen, and, if a powerdriven vessel, in lieu of the lights required by section 145 (a) (i) and (ii) of this title, two red lights in a vertical line one over the other not less than 6 feet apart, and of such a character as to be visible all round the horizon at a distance of at least 2 miles. By day, she shall carry in a vertical line one over the other not less than 6 feet apart, where they

can best be seen, two black balls or shapes each not less than 2 feet in diameter.

(b) A seaplane on the water which is not under command may carry, where they can best be seen, two red lights in a vertical line, one over the other, not less than 3 feet apart, and of such a character as to be visible all round the horizon at a distance of at least 2 miles, and may by day carry in a vertical line one over the other not less than 3 feet apart, where they can best be seen, two black balls or shapes, each not less than 2 feet in diameter.

(c) A vessel engaged in laying or in picking up a submarine cable or navigation mark, or a vessel engaged in surveying or underwater operations when from the nature of her work she is unable to get out of the way of approaching vessels, shall carry, in lieu of the lights specified in section 145 (a) (i) and (ii) of this title, three lights in a vertical line one over the other not less than 6 feet apart. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red, and the middle light shall be white, and they shall be of such a character as to be visible all round the horizon at a distance of at least 2 miles. By day, she shall carry in a vertical line one over the other not less than 6 feet apart, where they can best be seen, three shapes each not less than 2 feet in diameter, of which the highest and lowest shall be globular in shape and red in colour, and the middle one diamond in shape and white.

(d) The vessels and seaplanes referred to in this section, when not making way through the water, shall not carry the coloured sidelights, but when making way they shall carry them.

(e) The lights and shapes required to be shown by this section are to be taken by other vessels and seaplanes as signals that the vessel or seaplane showing them is not under command and cannot therefore get out of the way.

(f) These signals are not signals of vessels in distress and requiring assistance. Such signals are contained in section 147c of this title. (Oct. 11, 1951, ch. 495, § 6, Part B, 65 Stat. 410.)

PRIOR RULES

Before adoption of this rule, lights and day signals of vessel not under control and of telegraph cable vessel were governed by article 4, International Rules for Navigation at Sea of 1890, former section 74 of this title.

CODIFICATION

See note under section 143b of this title.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Section as effective Jan. 1, 1954, see Proc. No. 3030, Aug. 19, 1953, 18 F. R. 4983, set out as a note under section 143 of this title.

§ 145c. Sailing vessels under way; vessels or seaplanes being towed; vessels being pushed ahead (Rule 5). (a) A sailing vessel under way and any vessel or seaplane being towed shall carry the same lights as are prescribed by section 145 of this title for a power-driven vessel or a seaplane under way, respectively, with the exception of the white lights specified therein, which they shall never carry. They shall also carry stern lights as specified in section 145h of this title, provided that vessels towed, except the last vessel of a tow, may carry, in lieu of such stern light, a small white light as specified in section 145a (b) of this title.

(b) A vessel being pushed ahead shall carry, at the forward end, on the starboard side a green light and on the port side a red light, which shall have the same characteristics as the lights described in section 145 (a) (iv) and (v) of this title and shall be screened as provided in section 145 (a) (vi) of this title, provided that any number of vessels pushed ahead in a group shall be lighted as one vessel. (Oct. 11, 1951, ch. 495, § 6, Part B, 65 Stat. 411.)

PRIOR RULES

Before adoption of this rule, lights of sailing vessel under way and of vessel in tow were governed by article 5, International Rules for Navigation at Sea of 1890, former section 75 of this title.

CODIFICATION

See note under section 143b of this title.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Section as effective Jan. 1, 1954, see Proc. No. 3030, Aug. 19, 1953, 18 F. R. 4983, set out as a note under section 143 of this title.

CROSS REFERENCES

Similar navigation rules for

Great Lakes and their connecting and tributary waters, see section 255 of this title.

Harbors, rivers and inland waters generally, see section 174 of this title.

Red River of the North and rivers emptying into Gulf of Mexico and tributaries, see section 317 of this title.

§ 145d. Small vessels in bad weather (Rule 6).

(a) In small vessels, when it is not possible on account of bad weather or other sufficient cause to fix the green and red sidelights, these lights shall be kept at hand lighted and ready for immediate use, and shall, on the approach of or to other vessels, be exhibited on their respective sides in sufficient time to prevent collision, in such manner as to make them most visible, and so that the green light shall not be seen on the port side nor the red light on the starboard side, nor, if practicable, more than 2 points (221⁄2 degrees) abaft the beam on their respective sides.

(b) To make the use of these portable lights more certain and easy, the lanterns containing them shall each be painted outside with the colour of the lights they respectively contain, and shall be provided with proper screens. (Oct. 11, 1951, ch. 495, § 6, Part B, 65 Stat. 411.)

PRIOR RULES

Before adoption of this rule, lights of small vessel under way in bad weather were governed by article 6, International Rules for Navigation at Sea of 1890, former section 76 of this title.

CODIFICATION

See note under section 143b of this title.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Section as effective Jan. 1, 1954, see Proc. No. 3030, Aug. 19, 1953, 18 F. R. 4983, set out as a note under section 143 of this title.

CROSS REFERENCES

Similiar navigation rules for

Great Lakes and their connecting and tributary waters, see section 257 of this title.

Harbors, rivers and inland waters generally, see section 175 of this title.

Red River of the North and rivers emptying into Gulf of Mexico and tributaries, see section 318 of this title.

§ 145e. Substitute lights for small vessels, powerdriven boats, and rowing boats (Rule 7). Power-driven vessels of less than 40 tons, vessels under oars or sails of less than 20 tons, and rowing boats, when under way shall not be required to carry the lights mentioned in section 145 of this title, but if they do not carry them they shall be provided with the following lights:

(a) Power-driven vessels of less than 40 tons, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, shall carry:—

(i) In the forepart of the vessel, where it can best be seen, and at a height above the gunwale of not less than 9 feet, a bright white light constructed and fixed as prescribed in section 145 (a) (i) of this title and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least 3 miles.

(ii) Green and red sidelights constructed and fixed as prescribed in section 145 (a) (iv) and (v) of this title, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least 1 mile, or a combined lantern showing a green light and a red light from right ahead to 2 points (221⁄2 degrees) abaft the beam on their respective sides. Such lantern shall be carried not less than 3 feet below the white light.

(b) Small power-driven boats, such as are carried by seagoing vessels, may carry the white light at a less height than 9 feet above the gunwale, but it shall be carried above the sidelights or the combined lantern mentioned in subsection (a) (ii) of this section.

(c) Vessels of less than 20 tons, under oars or sails, except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, shall, if they do not carry the sidelights, carry where it can best be seen a lantern showing a green light on one side and a red light on the other, of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least 1 mile, and so fixed that the green light shall not be seen on the port side, nor the red light on the starboard side. Where it is not possible to fix this light, it shall be kept ready for immediate use and shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision and so that the green light shall not be seen on the port side nor the red light on the starboard side.

(d) Small rowing boats, whether under oars or sail, shall only be required to have ready at hand an electric torch or a lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.

(e) The vessels and boats referred to in this section shall not be required to carry the lights or shapes prescribed in section 145b (a) and 1451 (e) of this title. (Oct. 11, 1951, ch. 495, § 6, Part B, 65 Stat. 411.)

PRIOR RULES

Before adoption of this rule, substitute lights for small vessels and rowing boats were governed by article 7. International Rules for Navigation at Sea of 1890, former section 77 of this title.

CODIFICATION

See note under section 143b of this title.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Section as effective Jan. 1, 1954, see Proc. No. 3030, Aug. 19, 1953, 18 F. R. 4983, set out as a note under section 143 of this title.