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 5 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 house. 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 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 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 than 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 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. Rules for self-propelling suction dredges under way with their suctions on the bottom.-Self-propelling suction dredges under way with their suction 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 Adopted by executive committee of Board of Supervising Inspectors on July 22, 1914, and approved by Secretary of Commerce on July 28, 1914. Adopted by Board of Supervising Inspectors on Jan. 20, 1915, and approved by the Secretary of Commerce on Apr. 12, 1915. 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 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. RULES FOR LIGHTS FOR RAFTS AND OTHER WATER CRAFT NAVIGATING BY HAND POWER, HORSEPOWER, OR BY THE CURRENT OF THE RIVER, ON THE HARBORS, RIVERS, AND OTHER INLAND WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT THE GREAT LAKES AND THEIR CONNECTING AND TRIBUTARY WATERS AS FAR EAST AS MONTREAL AND THE RED RIVER OF THE NORTH AND RIVERS EMPTYING INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO AND THEIR TRIBUTARIES Any vessel, except rafts and rowing boats under oars, navigating by hand power, horsepower, or by the current of the river, shall carry one white light forward, not less than 8 feet above the surface of the water. Rafts propelled by hand power or by the current of the river, or which shall be anchored or moored in or near a channel or fairway, shall carry white lights, as follows: Rafts of one crib and not more than two in length shall carry one white light. Rafts of three or more cribs in length and one crib in width shall carry one white light at each end of the raft. Rafts of more than one crib abreast shall carry one white light on each outside corner of the raft, making four lights in all. The white light required by these rules for rafts and other water craft shall be carried, from sunset to sunrise, in a lantern so fixed and constructed as to show a clear, uniform, and unbroken light, visible all around the horizon and of such intensity as to be visible on a dark night with a clear atmosphere at a distance of at least 1 mile. The lights for rafts shall be suspended from poles of such height that the lights shall not be less than 8 feet above the surface of the water. 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 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. REGULATION OF MOTOR BOATS AN ACT To amend laws for preventing collision 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 tugboats and towboats 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 propelled 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 1. Less than twenty-six feet in length. Class 2. Twenty-six feet or over and less than forty 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 1 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 2 and 3 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 2. Nineteen square inches. Class 3. 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 sidelights shall be of not less than the following dimensions on motor boats of Class 2. Sixteen square inches. Class 3. Twenty-five square inches. On and after July 1, 1911, all glasses or lenses prescribed by paragraph (b) of section 3 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 that the following dimensions on motor boats of Class 2. Eighteen inches long. Class 3. 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 2 or 3 shall carry an efficient fog horn. (c) Every motor boat of class 2 or 3 shall be provided with an efficient bell, which shall be not less than eight inches across the mouth on board of vessels of class 3. 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 not exceeding $100 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 in so far 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. SEC. 10. That this act shall take effect on and after thirty days after its approval. Approved, June 9, 1910. |