635 RULE 16 All 65 Stat. 417. Speed to be moderate in fog, &c. (a) Every vessel, or seaplane when taxi-ing on the water, shall, in fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms or any other condition similarly restricting visibility, go at a moderate speed, having careful regard to the existing circumstances and conditions. (b) A power-driven vessel hearing, apparently forward of her beam, the fog-signal of a vessel the position of which is not ascertained, shall, so far as the circumstances of the case admit, stop her engines, and then navigate with caution until danger of collision is over. PART C.-STEERING AND SAILING RULES PRELIMINARY 1. In obeying and construing these Rules, any action taken should be positive, in ample time, and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship. 2. Risk of collision can, when circumstances permit, be ascertained by carefully watching the compass bearing of an approaching vessel. If the bearing does not appreciably change, such risk should be deemed to exist. 3. Mariners should bear in mind that seaplanes in the act of landing or taking off, or operating under adverse weather conditions, may be unable to change their intended action at the last moment. RULE 17 When two sailing vessels are approaching one another, so as to involve risk of collision, one of them shall keep out of the way of the other, as follows: (a) A vessel which is running free shall keep out of the way of a vessel which is close-hauled. (b) A vessel which is close-hauled on the port tack shall keep out of the way of a vessel which is close-hauled on the starboard tack. (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 windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to leeward. (e) A vessel which has the wind aft shall keep out of the way of the other vessel. RULE 18 (a) When two power-driven vessels are meeting end on, or nearly end on, so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter her course to starboard, so that each may pass on the port side of the other. This Rule only applies to cases where vessels are meeting end on, or nearly end on, in such a manner as to involve risk of collision, and does not apply to two vessels which must, if both keep on their respective courses, pass clear of each other. The only cases to which it does apply are when each of two vessels is end on, or nearly end on, to the other; 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 All 65 Stat. 418. 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. (b) For the purposes of this Rule and Rules 19 to 29 inclusive, except Rule 20 (b), a seaplane on the water shall be deemed to be a vessel, and the expression "power-driven vessel" shall be construed accordingly. RULE 19 When two power-driven 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. RULE 20 (a) When a power-driven vessel and a sailing vessel are proceeding in such directions as to involve risk of collision, except as provided in Rules 24 and 26, the power-driven vessel shall keep out of the way of the sailing vessel. (b) A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In circumstances, however, where risk of collision exists, she shall comply with these Rules. RULE 21 Where by any of these Rules one of two vessels is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course and speed. When, from any cause, the latter 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 Rules 27 and 29). RULE 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. RULE 28 Every power-driven 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. RULE 24 (a) Notwithstanding anything contained in these Rules, every vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the overtaken vessel. (b) Every vessel coming up with another vessel from any direction more than 2 points (2212 degrees) abaft her beam, i. e. 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 sidelights, 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. (c) If the overtaking vessel cannot determine with certainty whether she is forward of or abaft this direction from the other vessel, she shall assume that she is an overtaking vessel and keep out of the way. RULE 25 (a) In a narrow channel every power-driven vessel when proceeding along the course of the channel 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. (b) Whenever a power-driven vessel is nearing a bend in a channel where a power-driven vessel approaching from the other direction cannot be seen, such vessel, when she shall have arrived within onehalf mile of the bend, shall give a signal by one prolonged blast of her whistle, which signal shall be answered by a similar blast given by any approaching power-driven vessel that may be within hearing around the bend. Regardless of whether an approaching vessel on the farther side of the bend is heard, such bend shall be rounded with alertness and caution. RULE 26 All vessels not engaged in fishing shall, when under way, keep out of the way of any vessels fishing with nets or lines or trawls. This Rule shall not give to any vessel engaged in fishing the right of obstructing a fairway used by vessels other than fishing vessels. RULE 27 In obeying and construing these Rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision, and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the craft involved, which may render a departure from the above Rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger. PART D.-MISCELLANEOUS RULE 28 (a) When vessels are in sight of one another, a power-driven vessel under way, in taking any course authorised or required by these Rules, shall indicate that course by the following signals on her whistle, namely: One short blast to mean "I am altering my course to starboard." Two short blasts to mean "I am altering my course to port." Three short blasts to mean "My engines are going astern." (b) Whenever a power-driven vessel which, under these Rules, is to keep her course and speed, is in sight of another vessel and is in doubt whether sufficient action is being taken by the other vessel to avert collision, she may indicate such doubt by giving at least five short and rapid blasts on the whistle. The giving of such a signal shall not relieve a vessel of her obligations under Rules 27 and 29 or any other Rule, or of her duty to indicate any action taken under these Rules by giving the appropriate sound signals laid down in this Rule. (c) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of any special rules made by the Government of any nation with respect to the use of additional whistle signals between ships of war or vessels sailing under convoy. RULE 29 Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to carry All 65 Stat. 419. Pub. Law 172 All 65 Stat. 420. lights or signals, or of any neglect to keep a proper look-out, 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. RULE 30 Reservation of Rules for Harbours and Inland Navigation Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of a special rule duly made by local authority relative to the navigation of any harbour, river, lake, or inland water, including a reserved seaplane area. RULE 31 Distress Signals When a vessel or seaplane on the water 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) A gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute. (b) A continuous sounding with any fog-signal apparatus. (c) Rockets or shells, throwing red stars fired one at a time at short intervals. (d) A signal made by radiotelegraphy or by any other signalling method consisting of the group ... ... in the Morse Code. (e) A signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of the spoken word "Mayday." (f) The International Code Signal of distress indicated by N.C. (g) A signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball. (h) Flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, &c.) (i) A rocket parachute flare showing a red light. The use of any of the above signals, except for the purpose of indicating that a vessel or a seaplane is in distress, and the use of any signals which may be confused with any of the above signals, is prohibited. Note.-A radio signal has been provided for use by vessels in distress for the purpose of actuating the auto-alarms of other vessels and thus securing attention to distress calls or messages. The signal consists of a series of twelve dashes, sent in 1 minute, the duration of each dash being 4 seconds, and the duration of the interval between two consecutive dashes 1 second. RULE 32 All orders to helmsmen shall be given in the following sense: right rudder or starboard to mean "put the vessel's rudder to starboard"; left rudder or port to mean "put the vessel's rudder to port." Approved October 11, 1951. Chapter 498 - 1st Session AN ACT To authorize the use of the incompleted submarine Ulua as a target for explosive tests, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 65 Stat. 420. United States of America in Congress assembled, That notwithstand- Navy Department. ing the proviso of title III of the Second Supplemental Surplus Use of submarine Appropriation Rescission Act, 1946, under the heading "Increase and Ulua as target. replacement of naval vessels, emergency construction" (60 Stat. 227), 65 Stat. 421. the Secretary of the Navy is authorized to employ the incompleted submarine Ulua (SS-428) as a target for explosive tests in order to gather research data for new weapon and submarine design. SEC. 2. Upon conclusion of the explosive tests, the Secretary of the Navy may, in his discretion, sink the Ulua if considered unseaworthy, or retain the Ulua and make such repairs as will equip the Ulua for further tests and experimentation, or dispose of her in accordance with other provisions of law. Approved October 12, 1951. Public Law 176 82d Congress 1st Session H. R. 1227 AN ACT All 65 Stat. 421. To amend further the Act entitled "An Act to authorize the construction of experimental submarines, and for other purposes", approved May 16, 1947, as amended. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the proviso Experimental contained in the Act entitled "An Act to authorize the construction of submarines. experimental submarines, and for other purposes", approved May 16, 1947 (61 Stat. 96, chap. 69), as amended by the Act of August 8, 1949 34 U.S.C. § 489. (63 Stat. 577, chap. 405), is further amended by deleting "$41,000,000" and inserting in lieu thereof "$19,000,000". Approved October 16, 1951. |