Although the rule says that immediately after clearing the berth so as to be fully in sight she shall be governed by the steering and sailing rules, the courts have held that she is under Article 27, the rule of special circumstances, until she gets upon her settled course. Danger Signal 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, the danger signal. Art. 18, Rule III, § 312.1 (Former Pilot Rule I) NOTE. This is a required signal in inland waters, just as much as the one, two, and three blast signals are required. Never fail to use it in inland waters when the circumstances indicate it, both in clear weather and in fog. Cross Signals Steam vessels are forbidden to use what has become technically known among pilots as "cross signals," that is, answering one whistle with two, and answering two whistles with one. § 312.2 (Former Pilot Rule II) NOTE. Instead of "crossing" an improper signal, use the danger signal. Steam Vessels Meeting When steam vessels are approaching 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. Art. 18, Rule I, § 312.4 Steam Vessel Overtaking Another 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 direct her course to starboard; 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 direct her course to port; 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 aştern 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. Art. 18, Rule VIII § 312.6 NOTE.-The proper signals referred to just before the last sentence in this article are: One blast if the overtaken vessel wishes to be passed on the starboard side, two blasts if she wishes to be passed on the port side. The signal must, of course, be answered by the overtaking vessel. Crossing Steam Vessels One short blast of the whistle * * * signifies intention of steam vessel which is to starboard of the other to hold course and speed. §312.03 NOTE. While the privileged vessel should blow the first whistle, the courts have held that either vessel may blow first and the other vessel must then promptly answer. If from any causes the conditions covered by this situation are such as to prevent immediate compliance with each other's signals, the misunderstanding or objection shall be at once made apparent by blowing the danger signal, and both steam vessels shall be stopped and backed if necessary, until signals for passing with safety are made and under§ 312.7 (Former Pilot Rule VII) stood. NOTE. In inland waters this rule changes the duty of the privileged vessel to hold course and speed to an obligation to take other remedial action as soon as there is a misunderstanding of signals. Passing Whistles to be Used Only When Vessels in Sight 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 day time by a sight of the vessel itself, or by night by seeing its signal lights. In fog, mist, falling snow or heavy rain storms, when vessels can not so see each other, fog signals only must be given. Art. 18, Rule IX, § 312.3 (Former Pilot Rule III) NOTE. This rule limits the use of one, two and three blast signals to conditions of good visibility, and can be used in fog only after the vessels sight each other. It does not apply to the danger signal, which should be used in inland waters in fog as well as clear weather whenever necessary. Passing Whistles to be Used Whenever Approach is Within Half a Mile The signals for passing, by the blowing of the whistle, shall be given and answered by pilots, in compliance with the rules in this part, not only when meeting "head and head" or nearly so, but at all times when the steam vessels are in sight of each other, when passing or meeting at a distance within half a mile of each other, and whether passing to the starboard or port. § 312.3 (Former Pilot Rule III) NOTE. This rule makes it a requirement in inland waters that whenever steam vessels approach within half a mile one or two blast signals shall be exchanged regardless of a change in course by either or both vessels. It does not mean that steam vessels must wait until within half a mile before signaling, but it does mean that in inland waters they must never approach that close without signaling. Signals should always be given in plenty of time to be effective, and usually at a much greater distance than half a mile. Special Whistle for Steamer Passing Dredge or Pipe Line Vessels intending to pass dredges or other types of floating plant working in navigable channels, when within a reasonable distance there- · from and not in any case over a mile, shall indicate such intention by blowing the passing signal prescribed in the local pilot rules for vessels under way, which shall be answered in the usual manner from said plant if the channel is clear and the approaching vessel may pass on the course indicated; otherwise the floating plant shall sound the alarm or danger signal and the approaching vessel shall slow down or stop and await further signal from the plant. When the pipe line from a dredge crosses the channel in such a way that an approaching vessel, owing to excessive draft or for other reasons, cannot pass around the pipe line or dredge, a signal shall be given from the vessel by sounding 4 blasts of the whistle, which shall be answered by a like signal from the dredge. The pipe line shall then be opened for the passage of the vessel as soon as practicable; when the line is open ready for passage, the dredge shall so indicate by sounding the usual passing signal, and the approaching vessel shall promptly pass the dredge. § 312.25 GREAT LAKES Signals Indicating Course or Speed In all weathers every 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, to be accompanied whenever required by corresponding alteration of her helm; and every steam vessel receiving a signal from another shall promptly respond with the same signal or, as provided in rule twenty-six : One blast to mean, "I am directing my course to starboard." Two blasts to mean, “I am directing my course to port." But the giving or answering signals by a vessel required to keep her course shall not vary the duties and obligations of the respective vessels. [See rule twenty-nine for orders to helmsmen.] Rule 23, § 322.1 (first paragraph) NOTE. It will be noted that on the Great Lakes passing signals must be given in fog as well as in clear weather. The three blast signal is not used to indicate reversing, but is the Great Lakes signal for a steam vessel underway in fog. As the length of the blasts is not specified in the rule, either short or prolonged blasts may be used, with the exception of the situation of two steam vessels crossing, where the one short blast signal is specified by the Pilot Rule for the burdened vessel, (§ 322.10). It will also be noted that the rule requires the exchange of signals whether either vessel changes course or not. Warning Signals, Bend Signal Whenever a steamer is nearing a short bend or curve in the channel, where, from the height of the banks or other cause, a steamer approach. ing from the opposite direction cannot be seen for a distance of half a mile, the pilot of such steamer, when he shall have arrived within half a mile of such curve or bend, shall give a signal by one long blast of the whistle, which signal shall be answered by a similar blast, given by the pilot of any steamer within hearing that may be approaching on the other side, and within half a mile of such bend or curve. Should such signal be so answered by a steamer upon the farther side of such bend, then the usual signals for meeting and passing shall immediately be given and answered; but, if the first signal of such pilot be not answered, he is to consider the channel clear and govern himself accordingly. Vessels Moving from Dock § 322.6 When a steamer is moved from its dock or berth, and other steamers are liable to approach such steamer from any direction, such steamer and any approaching steamer shall give the same signals as in case of steamers meeting at a bend; but immediately after clearing the dock or berth so as to be fully in sight they shall be governed by the rules in this part for passing. § 322.7 NOTE. The long blast signal of 8 to 10 seconds is required by this rule to be blown by both vessels. Danger Signal If the pilot of a steam vessel to which a passing signal is sounded deems it unsafe to accept and assent to said signal, he shall not sound a cross signal; but in that case, and in every case where the pilot of one steamer fails to understand the course or intention of an approaching steamer, whether from signals being given or answered erroneously, or from other causes, the pilot of such steamer so receiving the first passing signal, or the pilot so in doubt, shall sound several short and rapid blasts of the whistle; and if the vessels shall have approached within half a mile of each other both shall reduce their speed to bare steerageway, and if necessary, stop and reverse. Rule 26 NOTE.-The danger signal is a requirement on the Great Lakes and must be used to indicate danger in all kinds of visibility. Note the additional requirement of reducing vessels to bare steerageway if they have arrived within half a mile of each other, a fact to be judged whether or not the other vessel can be seen. If, when steamers are approaching each other, the pilot of either vessel fails to understand the course or intention of the other, whether from signals being given or answered erroneously or from other causes, the pilot so in doubt shall immediately signify the same by giving the danger signal of several short and rapid blasts of the whistle, not less than five; and if both vessels shall have approached within half a mile of each other, both shall be immediately slowed to a speed barely sufficient for steerageway, and, if necessary, stopped and reversed, until the proper signals are given, answered, and understood, or until the vessels shall have passed each other. Cross Signals Forbidden § 322.2 Steam vessels are forbidden to use what has become technically known among pilots as "cross signals"—that is, answering one whistle with two, and answering two whistles with one. In all cases, and under all circumstances, a pilot receiving either of the whistle signals provided in the rules in this part, which for any reason he deems injudicious to comply with, instead of answering it with a cross signal, shall at once sound the danger signal and observe the rule applying thereto (§ 322.2). Steam Vessels Meeting § 322.3 When steamers are approaching each other "head and head," or nearly so, it shall be the duty of each steamer to pass on the portside of the other; and the pilot of either steamer may be first in determining to pursue this course, and thereupon shall give, as a signal of his intention, one short and distinct blast of his whistle, which the pilot of the other steamer shall answer promptly by a similar blast of his whistle, and thereupon such steamers shall pass on the port side of each other. But if the courses of such steamers are so far on the starboard of each other as not to be considered by pilots as meeting "head and head," or nearly so, the pilot so first deciding shall immediately give two short and distinct blasts of his whistle, which the pilot of the other steamer shall answer promptly by two similar blasts of his whistle, and they shall pass on the starboard side of each other: Provided, however, That in all narrow channels where there is a current, and the rivers Saint Mary, Saint Clair, Detroit, Niagara, and Saint Lawrence, when two steamers are meeting, the descending steamer shall have the right of way, and shall, before the vessels shall have arrived within the distance of one-half mile of each other, give the signal necessary to indicate which side she elects to take. *** Rules 17, 24, § 322.5 NOTE. In channels where there is a current, this rule gives the right of way to the descending steamer, in accordance with the demands of good seamanship, because the descending steamer is the less maneuverable of the two. In fairness to the upbound steam vessel, the privileged steam vessel should give the signal indicating the side on which to pass as soon as practicable. Steam Vessel Overtaking Another 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 direct her course to starboard; or if she shall desire to pass on the |