NOTE. When, in consequence of thick weather or other causes, such vessel finds herself so close that collision cannot 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 27 and 29.)

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.

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.

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 the 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 cannot 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.

Art. 25. In narrow channels every steam vessel shall, when it is safe and practicable, keep to that side of the fairway or mid-channel which lies on the starboard side of such vessel.

Art. 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 fairway used by vessels other than fishing vessels or boats.

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."

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Two short blasts to mean, I am directing my course to port."

Three short blasts to mean, "My engines are going at full speed astern."

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.

RULES FOR LIGHTS AND DAY SIGNALS TO BE CARRIED BY VESSELS, DREDGES OF ALL TYPES, AND VESSELS WORKING ON WRECKS OR OTHER OBSTRUCTIONS TO NAVIGATION, OR MOORED FOR SUBMARINE OPERATIONS OR MADE FAST TO A SUNKEN OBJECT WHICH MAY DRIFT WITH THE TIDE OR BE TOWED

RULE FOR SIGNALS TO BE DISPLAYED BY A TOWING VESSEL WHEN TOWING A SUBMERGED OR PARTLY SUBMERGED OBJECT UPON A HAWSER WHEN NO SIGNALS ARE DISPLAYED UPON THE OBJECT WHICH IS TOWED

The vessel having the submerged object in tow shall display by day, where they can best be seen, two shapes, one above the other, not less than 6 feet apart, the lower shape to be carried not less than 10 feet above the deck houses. The shapes shall be in the form of a double frustum of a cone, base to base, not less than 2 feet in diameter at the center nor less than 8 inches at the ends of the cones, and to be not less than 4 feet lengthwise from end to end, the upper shape to be painted in alternate horizontal stripes of black and white, 8 inches in width, and the lower shape to be painted a solid bright red. By night this situation shall be indicated by the display of a white light from the bow and stern of each outside vessel or lighter not less than 6 feet above the deck, and in addition thereto there shall be displayed in a position where they may best be seen from all directions two red lights carried in a vertical line not less than 3 feet nor more than 6 feet apart, and not less than 15 feet above the deck.

RULE FOR DREDGES WHICH ARE HELD IN STATIONARY POSITION BY MOORINGS

OR SPUDS

Dredges which are held in stationary position by moorings or spuds shall display by day two red balls not less 2 feet in diameter and carried in a vertical line not less than 3 feet nor more than 6 feet apart, and at least 15 feet above the deck house and in such a position where they can best be seen from all directions.

By night the towing vessel shall display the regular side lights, but in lieu of the regular white towing lights shall display four lights in a vertical position not less than 3 feet nor more than 6 feet apart, the upper and lower of such lights to be white, and the two middle lights to be red, all of such lights to be of the same character as is now prescribed for the regular towing lights.

RULE FOR STEAMERS, DERRICK BOATS, LIGHTERS, OR OTHER TYPES OF VESSELS MADE FAST ALONGSIDE A WRECK, OR MOORED OVER A WRECK WHICH IS ON THE BOTTOM OR PARTLY SUBMERGED, OR WHICH MAY BE DRIFTING

Steamers, derrick boats, lighters, or other types of vessels made fast alongside a wreck, or moored over a wreck which is on the bottom or partly submerged, or which may be drifting, shall display by day two shapes of the same character and dimensions and displayed in the same manner as required by the foregoing rule, except that both the shapes shall be painted a solid bright red, but where more than one vessel is working under the above conditions, the shapes need be displayed only from one vessel on each side of the wreck from which it can best be seen from all directions.

By night they shall display a white light at each corner, not less than 6 feet above the deck, and in addition thereto there shall be displayed in a position where they may best be seen from all directions two red lights carried

in a vertical line not less than 3 feet nor more than 6 feet apart, and not less than 15 feet above the deck. When scows are moored alongside a dredge in the foregoing situation they shall display a white light on each outboard corner not less than 6 feet above the deck.

RULE FOR SELF-PROPELLING SUCTION DREDGES UNDER WAY WITH THEIR SUCTIONS ON THE BOTTOM

Self-propelling suction dredges under way with their suctions on the bottom shall display by day the same signals as are used to designate any steamer not under control; that is to say, two black balls not less than 2 feet in diameter and carried not less than 15 feet above the deck house, and where they may best be seen from all directions.

By night they shall carry, in addition to the regular running lights, two red lights of the same character as the masthead light, in the same vertical plane and underneath the masthead light, the red lights to be not less than 3 feet nor more than 6 feet apart and the upper red light to be not less than 4 feet and not more than 6 feet below the white masthead light, and on or near the stern two red lights in the same vertical plane not less than 4 feet nor more than 6 feet apart, to show through 4 points of the compass; that is, from right astern to 2 points on each quarter.

RULE FOR VESSELS WHICH ARE MOORED OR ANCHORED AND ENGAGED IN LAYING PIPE OR OPERATING ON SUBMARINE CONSTRUCTION OR EXCAVATION

Vessels which are moored or anchored and engaged in laying pipe or operating on submarine construction or excavation shall display by day, not less than 15 feet above the deck, where they can best be seen from all directions, two balls not less than 2 feet in diameter, in a vertical line not less than 3 feet and not more than 6 feet apart, the upper ball to be painted in alternate black and white vertical stripes 6 inches wide, and the lower ball to be painted a solid bright red.

By night they shall display three red lights carried in a vertical line not less than 3 feet nor more than 6 feet apart and not less than 15 feet above the deck, and in such position as may best be seen from all directions. All the lights required by these special rules for dredges, wrecking boats, lighters, etc., shall be of such size and character as to be visible on a dark night with a clear atmosphere for a distance of at least 2 miles.

RULE FOR SPEED OF VESSELS PASSING FLOATING PLANT WORKING IN CHANNELS

Steamers with or without tows, passing floating plant working in channels, shall reduce their speed sufficiently to insure the safety of both said plant and themselves, and when passing within 200 feet of said plant their speed shall not exceed 5 miles per hour. While passing over lines of said plant, propelling machinery shall be stopped.

RULE RELATING TO THE USE OF SEARCHLIGHTS

Any master or pilot of any steam vessel who shall flash or cause to be flashed the rays of the searchlight into the pilot house of a passing vessel shall be deemed guilty of misconduct and shall be liable to have his license suspended or revoked.

RULE FOR VESSELS WHICH ARE MOORED OR AT ANCHOR

Vessels of more than 300 gross tons propelled by machinery when moored or anchored in a fairway or channel where traffic is liable to congestion or confusion shall display between sunrise and sunset on the forward part of the vessel where it can best be observed from other vessels one black ball or shape not less than 2 feet in diameter.

RULE PROHIBITING THE CARRYING OF UNAUTHORIZED LIGHTS ON STEAM VESSELS

Any master or pilot of any steam vessel who shall authorize or permit the carrying of any light, electric or otherwise, not required by law, on the outside structure of the cabin or hull of the vessel that in any way will interfere

RULES FOR MOTOR BOATS

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with distinguishing the signal lights, shall, upon conviction thereof before any board of inspectors having jurisdiction, be deemed guilty of misconduct and shall be liable to have his license suspended or revoked.

RULES FOR MOTOR BOATS

AN ACT To amend laws for preventing collisions of vessels and to regulate equipment of certain motor boats on the navigable waters of the United States

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the words "motor boat" where used in this act shall include every vessel propelled by machinery and not more than sixty-five feet in length, except tug boats and tow boats propelled by steam. The length shall be measured from end to end over the deck, excluding sheer: Provided, That the engine, boiler, or other operating machinery shall be subject to inspection by the local inspectors of steam vessels, and to their approval of the design thereof, on all said motor boats, which are more than forty feet in length, and which are propellel by machinery driven by steam. Sec. 2. That motor boats subject to the provisions of this act shall be divided into classes as follows:

Class one. Less than twenty-six feet in length.

Class two. Twenty-six feet or over and less than forty feet in length.

Class three. Forty feet or over and not more than sixty-five feet in length. Sec. 3. That every motor boat in all weathers from sunset to sunrise shall carry the following lights, and during such time no other lights which may be mistaken for those prescribed shall be exhibited.

(a) Every motor boat of class one shall carry the following lights: First. A white light aft to show all around the horizon.

Second. A combined lantern in the fore part of the vessel and lower than the white light aft showing green to starboard and red to port, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on their respective sides.

(b) Every motor boat of classes two and three shall carry the following lights:

First. A bright white light in the fore part of the vessel as near the stem as practicable, so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of twenty points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light ten points on each side of the vessel, namely, from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on either side. The glass or lens shall be of not less than the following dimensions:

Class two. Nineteen square inches.

Class three. Thirty-one square inches.

Second. A white light aft to show all around the horizon.

Third. On the starboard side a green light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of ten points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the starboard side. On the port side a red light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of ten points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the port side. The glasses or lenses in the said side lights shall be of not less than the following dimensions on motor boats of

Class two. Sixteen square inches.

Class three. Twenty-five square inches.

On and after July first, nineteen hundred and eleven, all glasses or lenses prescribed by paragraph (b) of section three shall be fresnel or fluted. The said lights shall be fitted with inboard screens of sufficient height and so set as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow and shall be of not less than the following dimensions on motor boats of

Class two. Eighteen inches long.

Ciass three. Twenty-four inches long: Provided, That motor boats as defined in this act, when propelled by sail and machinery or under sail alone, shall carry the colored lights suitably screened but not the white lights prescribed by this section.

Sec. 4. (a) Every motor boat under the provisions of this act shall be provided with a whistle or other sound-producing mechanical appliance capable of producing a blast of two seconds or more in duration, and in the case of

such boats so provided a blast of at least two seconds shall be deemed a prolonged blast within the meaning of the law.

(b) Every motor boat of class two or three shall carry an efficient foghorn. (c) Every motor boat of class two or three shall be provided with an efficient bell, which shall be not less than eight inches across the mouth on board of vessels of class three.

Sec. 5. That every motor boat subject to any of the provisions of this act, and also all vessels propelled by machinery other than by steam more than sixty-five feet in length, shall carry either life preservers or life belts or buoyant cushions, or ring buoys or other device, to be prescribed by the Secretary of Commerce, sufficient to sustain afloat every person on board and so placed as to be readily accessible. All motor boats carrying passengers for hire shall carry one life preserver of the sort prescribed by the regulations of the Board of Supervising Inspectors for every passenger carried, and no such boat while so carrying passengers for hire shall be operated or navigated except in charge of a person duly licensed for such service by the local board of inspectors. No examination shall be required as the condition of obtaining such a license, and any such license shall be revoked or suspended by the local board of inspectors for misconduct, gross negligence, recklessness in navigation, intemperance, or violation of law on the part of the holder, and if revoked the person holding such license shall be incapable of obtaining another such license for one year from the date of revocation: Provided, That motor boats shall not be required to carry licensed officers, except as required in this act.

Sec. 6. That every motor boat and also every vessel propelled by machinery other than by steam, more than sixty-five feet in length, shall carry ready for immediate use the means of promptly and effectually extinguishing burning gasoline.

Sec. 7. That a fine of not exceeding one hundred dollars may be imposed for any violation of this act. The motor boat shall be liable for the said penalty and may be seized and proceeded against, by way of libel, in the district court of the United States for any district within which such vessel may be found. Sec. 8. That the Secretary of Commerce shall make such regulations as may be necessary to secure the proper execution of this act by collectors of customs and other officers of the Government. And the Secretary of the Department of Commerce may, upon application therefor, remit or mitigate any fine, penalty, or forfeiture relating to motor boats except for failure to observe the provisions of section six of this act.

Sec. 9. That all laws and parts of laws only insofar as they are in conflict herewith are hereby repealed: Provided, That nothing in this act shall be deemed to alter or amend acts of Congress embodying or revising international rules for preventing collisions at sea.

BOUNDARY LINES OF THE HIGH SEAS

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The following lines divide the high seas from rivers, harbors, and inland waters. Waters inshore of the lines here laid down are inland waters", and upon them the inland rules and pilot rules for inland waters apply. Upon the high seas, viz, waters outside the lines here laid down, the international rules apply.

(All bearings are in degrees true; distances in nautical miles and are given approximately)

San Diego Harbor.-A line from the southerly tower of the Coronado Hotel 2242°, 4% miles, to San Diego Bay entrance lighted whistle buoy 1A; thence 32°, 2% miles, to Point Loma Lighthouse.

San Francisco Harbor.-A line drawn through Mile Rocks Lighthouse 326° to Bonita Point Lighthouse.

Columbia River Entrance.-A line drawn from Knuckle of Columbia River south jetty 351° to Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.

General rule.-At all buoyed entrances from seaward to bays, sounds, rivers, or other estuaries for which specific lines have not been described, inland rules shall apply inshore of a line approximately parallel with the general trend of the shore, drawn through the outermost buoy or other aid to navigation of any system of aids.