(c) When both are running free, with the wind on different sides, the vessel which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other.

(d) When both are running free, with the wind on the same side, the vessel which is to the windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to the leeward.

(e) A vessel which has the wind aft shall keep out of the way of the other vessel.

ART. 18. RULE I. When steam-vessels are approaching Steam vessels. each other head and head, that is, end on, or nearly so, it shall be the duty of each to pass on the port side of the other; and either vessel shall give, as a signal of her intention, one short and distinct blast of her whistle, which the other vessel shall answer promptly by a similar blast of her whistle, and thereupon such vessels shall pass on the port side of each other. But if the courses of such vessels are so far on the starboard of each other as not to be considered as meeting head and head, either vessel shall immediately give two short and distinct blasts of her whistle, which the other vessel shall answer promptly by two similar blasts of her whistle, and they shall pass on the starboard side of each other.

The foregoing only applies to cases where vessels are meeting end on or nearly end on, in such a manner as to involve risk of collision; in other words, to cases in which, by day, each vessel sees the masts of the other in a line, or nearly in a line, with her own, and by night to cases in which each vessel is in such a position as to see both the sidelights of the other.

It does not apply by day to cases in which a vessel sees another ahead crossing her own course, or by night to cases where the red light of one vessel is opposed to the red light of the other, or where the green light of one vessel is opposed to the green light of the other, or where a red light without a green light or a green light without a red light, is seen ahead, or where both green and red lights are seen anywhere but ahead.

RULE III. If, when steam-vessels are approaching each other, either vessel fails to understand the course or intention of the other, from any cause, the vessel so in doubt shall immediately signify the same by giving several short and rapid blasts, not less than four, of the steam-whistle. RULE V. Whenever a steam-vessel is nearing a short bend or curve in the channel, where, from the height of the banks or other cause, a steam-vessel approaching from the opposite direction can not be seen for a distance of half a mile, such steam-vessel, when she shall have arrived within half a mile of such curve or bend, shall give a signal by one long blast of the steam-whistle, which signal shall be answered by a similar blast, given by any approaching steam-vessel that may be within hearing. Should such signal be so answered by a steam-vessel upon the farther

Supplementary regulations. Sec. 2.

side of such bend, then the usual signals for meeting and passing shall immediately be given and answered;" but, if the first alarm signal of such vessel be not answered, she is to consider the channel clear and govern herself accordingly.

When steam-vessels are moved from their docks or berths, and other boats are liable to pass from any direction toward them, they shall give the same signal as in the case of vessels meeting at a bend, but immediately after clearing the berths so as to be fully in sight they shall be governed by the steering and sailing rules.

RULE VIII. When steam-vessels are running in the same direction, and the vessel which is astern shall desire to pass on the right or starboard hand of the vessel ahead, she shall give one short blast of the steam-whistle, as a signal of such desire, and if the vessel ahead answers with one blast, she shall put her helm to port; or if she shall desire to pass on the left or port side of the vessel ahead, she shall give two short blasts of the steam-whistle as a signal of such desire, and if the vessel ahead answers with two blasts, shall put her helm to starboard; or if the vessel ahead does not think it safe for the vessel astern to attempt to pass at that point, she shall immediately signify the same by giving several short and rapid blasts of the steam-whistle, not less than four, and under no circumstances shall the vessel astern attempt to pass the vessel ahead until such time as they have reached a point where it can be safely done, when said vessel ahead shall signify her willingness by blowing the proper signals. The vessel ahead shall in no case attempt to cross the bow or crowd upon the course of the passing vessel.

RULE IX. The whistle signals provided in the rules under this article, for steam-vessels meeting, passing, or overtaking, are never to be used except when steamers are in sight of each other, and the course and position of each can be determined in the daytime by a sight of the vessel itself, or by night by seeing its signal lights. In fog, mist, falling snow or heavy rainstorms, when vessels can not see each other, fog-signals only must be given.

The supervising inspectors of steam-vessels and the Supervising Inspector-General shall establish such rules to be observed by steam-vessels in passing each other and as to the lights to be carried by ferry-boats and by barges and canal-boats when in tow of steam-vessels, not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, as they from time to time may deem necessary for safety, which rules when approved by the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, are hereby declared special rules duly made by local authority, as provided for in article thirty of chapter eight hundred and two of the laws of eighteen hundred and ninety. Two printed copies of such rules shall be furnished to such

ferry-boats and steam vessels, which rules shall be kept posted up in conspicuous placees in such vessels.

ART. 19. 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.

Two steam ves

sels crossing. June 7, 1897.

(30 Stat., 101.)

Steam vessel

ing vessel.

ART. 20. When a steam-vessel and sailing-vessel are pro- shall keep out of ceeding in such directions as to involve risk of collision, the the way of sailsteam-vessel shall keep out of the way of the sailing-vessel. Course and 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.

[See articles 27 and 29.]

speed.

ART. 22. Every vessel which is directed by these rules to Crossingahead. keep out of the way of another vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other.

shall slacken

ART. 23. Every steam-vessel which is directed by these Steam vessels rules to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, on speed or stop. approaching her, if necessary, slacken her speed or stop

or reverse.

ART. 24. Notwithstanding anything contained in these Overtaking rules every vessel, overtaking any other, shall keep out of vessels. 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 chan

ART. 25. In narrow channels every steam-vessel shall, nels. 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.

of fishing vessels.

ART. 26. Sailing-vessels under way shall keep out of Rights of way 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.

ART. 27. In obeying and construing these rules due re- General pru gard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision, dential rule." and to any special circumstances which may render a departure from the above rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger.

Sound signals for passing

steamers.

(See Art. 18.)

Precaution.

Lights on

United States

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.

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.

ART. 30. The exhibition of any light on board of a vessel naval vessels and of war of the United States or a revenue cutter may be revenue cutters, 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 sig

nals.

In the daytime.

At night.

Limits of application of inter

rules.

Feb. 19, 1895.

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:

A continuous sounding with any fog-signal apparatus, or firing a gun.

First. Flames on the vessel as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, and so forth.

Second. A continuous sounding with any fog-signal apparatus, or firing a gun.

The Secretary of Commerce and Labor is hereby authornational and ized, empowered and directed from time to time to desig inland or local nate and define by suitable bearings or ranges with light houses, light vessels, buoys or coast objects, the lines dividing the high seas from rivers, harbors and inland waters. The words "inland waters” used in this Act shall not be held to include the Great Lakes and their connecting and tributary waters as far east as Montreal;

(28 Stat., 672.)
Sec. 2.
Feb. 14, 1903,

(32 Stat., 829.)
Sec. 10.

New York.

Baltimore.

Galveston.

LINES ESTABLISHING HARBORS, RIVERS, AND INLAND WATERS
OF THE UNITED STATES, WITHIN WHICH THE INLAND RULES
ARE TO APPLY.

[Bearings are magnetic and given approximately.]

New York Harbor: From Navesink (southerly) lighthouse NE. E., easterly, to Scotland light-vessel; thence NNE. E. through Gedney Channel Whistling Buoy to Rockaway Point Life-Saving Station.

Baltimore Harbor and Chesapeake Bay: From Cape Henry light-house NE. by E. E., easterly, to Outer Entrance Whistling Buoy; thence N. by E. E. to Cape Charles light-house.

Galveston Harbor: From Galveston Bar Whistling Buoy N. by W. W. through the beacon marking the outer ex

tremity of the N. jetty, and SW. by W. W., westerly, through North Breaker Beacon.

Boston Harbor: From Point Allerton NNE. E., easterly, through Point Allerton Beacon to Northeast Grave Whistling Buoy; thence NNE. E. to Outer Breaker (Great Pig Rocks) Bell Buoy; thence NE. by E. E. to Halfway Rock Beacon; thence NE. by E. E. to Eastern Point light-house.

Boston.

San Francisco Harbor: From Point Bonita light-house San Francisco. SE. S. to Point Lobos.

Philadelphia Harbor and Delaware Bay: From Cape Philadelphia. Henlopen light-house NE. by E. to South Shoal Whistling Buoy; thence NNE. 4 E. to Cape May light-house.

Charleston Harbor: From Charleston light-vessel NW. Charleston. W. (toward Sullivans Island Range Rear Light) to the North Jetty, and from Charleston light-vessel SW. W. to Charleston Whistling Buoy; thence SW. W. to Charleston Main Channel Entrance Bell Buoy; thence W. to Folly Island.

15

16

Savannah Harbor and Calibogue Sound: From Tybee Savannah. Whistling Buoy NNW. 4 W. through North Slue Channel Outer Buoy to Braddock Point, Hilton Head Island, and from Tybee Whistling Buoy W. to Tybee Island. St. Simon Sound (Brunswick Harbor) and St. Andrew Brunswick Sound: From hotel on beach of St. Simon Island mile NE. by E. E. from St. Simon light-house, SE. E. to St. Simon Sea Buoy; thence S. E. to St. Andrew's Sound Sea Buoy; thence W. to the shore of Little Cumberland Island.'

6

(St. Simon).

Mobile.

Pensacola Harbor: From Pensacola Entrance Whistling Pensacola. Buoy N. W., a tangent to the E. side of Fort Pickens, to the shore of Santa Rose Island, and from the Whistling Buoy NW. W. to Fort McRee Range Front Light. Mobile Harbor and Bay: From Mobile Bay Outer or Deep Sea Whistling Buoy (or its watch buoy in summer) NE. by N. to the shore of Mobile Point, and from the Whistling Buoy NW. by W. to the shore of Dauphin Island. New Orleans Harbor and the Delta of the Mississippi: New Orleans. From South Pass East Jetty light-house N. by E. Pass a Loutre light-house; thence N. to Errol Island and

E. to

from South Pass East Jetty light-house W. S. to Southwest Pass light-house; thence N. to shore.

San Diego Harbor: From Point Loma light-house S. E. San Diego. to San Diego Bay Outside Bar Whistling Buoy; thence NNE. E. to tower of Coronado Hotel.

River.

Columbia River Entrance: From Cape Disappointment Columbia light-house SE. E. to Point Adams light-house.

Cutler (Little River) Harbor, Me.: A line drawn from Cutler, Me. Long Point SW. by W. W. to Little River Head.

Little Machias Bay, Machias Bay, Englishman Bay, Little Machias. Chandler Bay, Moosabec Reach, Pleasant Bay, Narraguagus Bay, and Pigeon Hill Bay, Me.: A line drawn from Little River Head WSW. W. to the outer side of Old