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passed through it; but should two steamers unavoidably meet in such channel, then it shall be the duty of the pilot of the ascending steamer to make the proper signals, and when answered, the ascending steamer shall lie as close as possible to the side of the channel the exchange of signals may have determined, as provided by § 332.1, and either stop the engines or move them so as only to give the boat steerageway, and the pilot of the descending steamer shall cause his steamer to be worked slowly until he has passed the ascending

steamer.

332.4 Approaching bridge span or draw.-When two steamers. are approaching a bridge span or draw from opposite directions and the passing signals as provided in § 332.1 have been given and understood, should the pilot of the descending steamer deem it dangerous for the steamers to pass each other between the piers of such span or draw, he shall sound the alarm or danger signal, and it shall then be the duty of the pilot of the ascending steamer to answer with a similar alarm signal, and to slow or stop his engines below such span or draw until the descending steamer shall have passed.

332.5 Ascending steamer close on a bar or shore.-When a steamer is ascending and running close on a bar or shore, the pilot shall in no case attempt to cross the river when a descending steamer shall be so near that it would be possible for a collision to ensue therefrom.

332.6 Nearing short bend or point.-When any steamer, whether ascending or descending, is nearing a short bend or point where, from any cause, a steamer approaching in an opposite direction can not be seen at a distance of 600 yards, the pilot of such steamer, when he shall have arrived within 600 yards of that bend or point, shall give a signal of one long sound of his whistle, as a notice to any steamer within hearing that may be approaching on the other side, and within half a mile, of such bend or point; and should there be any such approaching steamer within hearing of such signal, it shall be the duty of the pilot thereof to answer such signal by one long sound of his whistle, when both steamers shall be navigated with the proper precautions, as required by the rules in this part.

332.7 Moving from dock.-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.

332.8 Overtaking. When a steamer is overtaking another steamer, and the overtaking steamer shall desire to pass on the right or starboard side of the steamer ahead, the overtaking steamer shall give one short blast of the whistle, and if the steamer ahead answers with one blast, the overtaking steamer may pass on the starboard side of the steamer ahead; or if the overtaking steamer shall desire to pass on the left or port side of the steamer ahead, she shall give two short blasts of the whistle, and if the steamer ahead answers with two blasts the overtaking steamer may pass on the port side of the steamer ahead; or if the steamer ahead does not think it safe for the overtaking steamer to attempt to pass at that point, she shall immediately signify the same by giving not less than four short and rapid blasts of the whistle, and under no circumstances shall the overtaking

steamer attempt to pass the steamer ahead until such time as they have reached a point where it can be safely done, when the steamer ahead shall signify her willingness by blowing one blast of the whistle for the overtaking steamer to pass on the starboard side of the steamer ahead, or two blasts of the whistle for the overtaking steamer to pass on the port side of the steamer ahead.

Every steamer overtaking another shall keep out of the way of the overtaken steamer. Every steamer coming up with another steamer from any direction more than two points abaft her beam shall be deemed to be an overtaking steamer, and no subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two steamers shall make the overtaking steamer a crossing steamer within the meaning of the rules in this part, or relieve her of the duty of keeping clear of the overtaken steamer until she is finally passed and clear. If the overtaking steamer is in doubt as to whether she is forward of or abaft this direction, she shall assume that she is an overtaking steamer and keep out of the way.

The steamer ahead shall in no case attempt to cross the bow or crowd upon the course of the overtaking steamer.

332.9 Approaching at right angles or obliquely.-When two steamers are approaching each other at right angles or obliquely so as to involve risk of collision, other than when one steamer is overtaking another, the steamer which has the other on her own port side shall hold her course and speed; and the steamer which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way of the other by directing her course to starboard so as to cross the stern of the other steamer, or, if necessary to do so, slacken her speed or stop or reverse. The steamer having the other on her own port bow shall blow one blast of her whistle as a signal of her intention to cross the bow of the other, holding her course and speed, which signal shall be promptly answered by the other steamer by one short blast of her whistle as a signal of her intention to direct her course to starboard so as to cross the stern of the other steamer or otherwise keep clear.

If from any cause whatever 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 alarm signal, and both steamers shall be stopped, and backed if necessary, until signals for passing with safety are made and understood.

332.10 Passing signals. The passing signals, by the blowing of the whistle, shall be given and answered by pilots, in compliance with the rules in this part, when approaching each other; and, wherever possible, the signals shall be given and answered before the steamers have arrived at a distance of half a mile of each other.

332.11 Departure from rules. In obeying and construing the rules in this part due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision, and to any special circumstances which may render a departure from said rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger.

332.12 Fog signals.-In fog, mist, falling snow, or heavy rainstorms, whether by day or night, the signals described in this rule shall be used by steam vessels:

(a) A steam vessel under way in fog or thick weather shall sound, at intervals of not more than I minute, a prolonged blast of the whistle, of from 4 to 8 seconds' duration, except that when towing one or more vessels she shall sound three blasts of the whistle in quick succession. (b) A steam vessel when at anchor in fog or thick weather shall, at intervals of not more than 1 minute, ring the bell rapidly for about 5 seconds.

(c) Steamers on rivers whose waters flow into the Gulf of Mexico, lying to during fog or thick weather, when the fog whistle or any sound is heard indicating the approach of another steamer, shall, if lying on the right shore, or right bank, give one tap of the bell; if lying on left shore, or left bank, give two taps of the bell, at intervals of not more than 1 minute, to indicate their presence, which signals shall continue until the approaching steamer has passed. Right and left shore or bank is understood by facing downstream or with the flow of the current.

332.13 Speed in fog; posting of rules; diagrams-(a) Moderate speed in fog-Every steam vessel shall, in thick weather, by reason of fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, or other causes, go at moderate speed. A steam vessel hearing, apparently not more than four points from right ahead, the fog signal of another vessel shall at once reduce her speed to bare steerageway, and navigate with cantion until the vessels shall have passed each other.

(b) Posting of Pilot Rules. On steam and other motor vessels of over 100 gross tons two copies of the placard form of the rules in this part (Form 805) shall be kept posted up in conspicuous places in the vessel, one copy of which shall be kept posted up in the pilot house, On steam and other motor vessels of over 25 gross toms and not over 100 gross tons, two copies of the placard form of pilot rules shall be kept on board, one copy of which shall be kept posted up in the pilot house. On steam and other motor vessels of 25 gross tons and under, and of more than 10 gross tons, two copies of the placard form of the pilot rules shall be kept on board, and where practicable one copy thereof shall be kept conspicuously posted up in the vessel. On steam and other motor vessels of not more than 10 gross tons, two copies of the pamphlet form of the pilot rules shall be kept on board, and where practicable one copy thereof shall be kept conspicuously posted up in the vessel. Nothing herein contained shall require copies of the Pilot Rules to be carried on board any motorboat as defined by section 1 of the Act of April 25, 1940 (54 Stat. 163–167; 46 U. S. C. 526–526t).

(e) Diagrams. The following diagrams are intended to illustrate the working of the system of colored lights and the pilot rules:

FIRST SITUATION

Here the two colored lights visible to each will indicate their direct approach "head and head” toward each other. In this situation it is a standing rule that both shall direct their courses to starboard and pass on the port side of each

other, each having previously given one blast of the whistle, except that when an ascending steamer is approaching a descending steamer the descending steamer has the right of way. The necessary signals for passing shall be given as provided in § 332.1.

SECOND SITUATION

In this situation the red light only will be visible to each. Both vessels are evidently passing to port of each other, which is rulable in this situation, each pilot having previously signified his intention by one blast of the whistle.

THIRD SITUATION

In this situation the green light only will be visible to each. They are therefore passing to starboard of each other, which is rulable in this situation, each pilot having previously signified his intention by two blasts of the whistle.

FOURTH SITUATION

In this situation one steamer is overtaking another steamer from some point within the angle of two points abaft the beams of the overtaken steamer. The overtaking steamer may pass on the starboard or port side of the steamer ahead after the necessary signals for passing have been given, with assent of the overtaken steamer, as prescribed in § 332.8.

FIFTH SITUATION

1

In this situation two steamers are approaching each other at right angles or obliquely in such manner as to involve risk of collision, other than where one steamer is overtaking another.

The steamer which has the other on her own port side shall hold course and speed, and the other shall keep clear by crossing astern of the steamer that is holding course and speed, or, if necessary to do so, shall slacken her speed or stop or reverse.

Both steamers shall otherwise observe the provisions of § 332.9, with respect to the signals for passing and the danger signal.

RULES FOR LIGHTS FOR CERTAIN CLASSES OF VESSELS ON WESTERN RIVERS

332.14 Lights for ferryboats.-The signal lights on ferryboats on waters flowing into the Gulf of Mexico and their tributaries shall be the same as those on all other steamboats on the same waters, except that double-end ferryboats shall carry a central range of clear, bright, white lights, showing all around the horizon, placed at equal altitudes forward and aft, also on the starboard side a green light, and on the port side a red light, of such a character as to be visible on a dark night with a clear atmosphere at a distance of at least 2 miles, and so constructed as to show a uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass, and so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on their respective sides.

The green and red lights shall be fitted with inboard screens projecting at least 3 feet forward from the lights, so as to prevent them from being seen across the bow.

Merchant Marine Inspectors in charge in district having ferryboats shall, whenever the safety of navigation may require, designate for each line of such boats a certain light, white or colored, which shall show all around the horizon, to designate and distinguish such lines from each other, which light shall be carried on a flagstaff amidships, 15 feet above the white range lights.3

8 §§ 332.14 to 332.22, inclusive, issued under the authority contained in rules 7, 12, R. S. 4233; 33 U. S. C. 316, 321.