Rules and Regulations Governing Navigation of the Panama Canal and Adjacent Waters, with Amendments Through December 31, 1946

(Rule 160, and certain other rules in this chapter, as hereinafter noted under the respective rules, were superseded by sections 151 to 159 of title 2 of the Canal Zone Code, as amended, which sections are here set forth for convenient reference:

SECTION 151. Vessels Subject to Inspection in General.—All vessels navigating the waters of the Canal Zone, except public vessels of all nations, and private vessels merely transiting the Canal, shall be subject to an annual inspection of hulls, boilers, machinery, equipment, and passenger accommodations. (Feb. 16, 1933, ch. 88, sec. 1, 47 Stat. 811 [U. S. Code, title 48, sec. 1336a].)

152. Inspection of Foreign Vessels.—A foreign vessel of a country which has inspection laws approximating those of the United States, having an unexpired certificate of inspection duly issued by the authorities of the said country, shall not be subjected to an inspection other than that necessary to determine whether the vessel, boilers and life-saving equipment are as stated in the certificate of inspection; but no such certificate of inspection shall be accepted as evidence of lawful inspection unless like privileges are granted to vessels of the United States under the laws of the country to which such vessel belongs. (Feb. 16, 1933, ch. 88, sec. 2, 47 Stat. 811 [U. S. Code, title 48, sec. 1336b].) 153. Regulations Governing Inspection.-The Governor of The Panama Canal is authorized to prescribe regulations concerning the inspection referred to in the two next preceding sections, which regulations shall conform as nearly as practicable to the laws and regulations governing the Steamboat Inspection Service of the United States. (Feb. 16, 1933, ch. 88, sec. 1, 47 Stat. 811 [U. S. Code, title 48, sec. 1336a].).

154. Issuance and Display of Certificate of Inspection. When the board of local inspectors of The Panama Canal approves a vessel and its equipment, a certificate of inspection, in triplicate, shall be issued by the Canal authorities, two copies of which shall be displayed in conspicuous places in the vessel where they are most likely to be observed by passengers and others, and there kept at all times framed under glass. (Feb. 16, 1933, ch. 88, sec. 3, 47 Stat. 811 [U. S. Code, title 48, sec. 1336c].)

155. Refusal of Certificate of Inspection.—When the board of local inspectors fails to approve the vessel or its equipment, a certificate of inspection shall be refused, and the board of local inspectors shall make a statement in writing giving the reason for failure to approve, filing such statement in the records of the board, and giving a copy thereof to the owner, agent or master of the vessel. (Feb. 16, 1933, ch. 88, sec. 4, 47 Stat. 811 [U. S. Code, title 48, sec. 1336d].)

156. Failure to Have or Display Certificate; Receiving Excess Passengers; Fines. Any vessel, other than those excepted in section 151 of this title, that navigates the waters of the Canal Zone without having an unexpired certificate of inspection issued by the Canal authorities or by the Steamboat Inspection Service of the United States, or an unexpired certificate accepted by the Canal authorities under section 152 of this title, shall be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000; and whenever any passenger is received on board a vessel not having certified copies of the certificate of inspection placed and kept as required by section 154 of this title, or whenever passengers are received on board a vessel in excess of the number authorized by said certificate of inspection, such vessel shall be liable to a fine of not more than $100 for each passenger so received.

Fines shall be recovered in the district court, and the amount so recovered shall be a lien upon such vessel, and it may be seized and sold to satisfy same

as well as the costs of the court proceedings. (Feb. 16, 1933, ch. 88, sec. 5, 47 Stat. 811 [U. S. Code, title 48, sec. 1336e].)

157. Revocation of Certificate for Changes in Condition of Vessel.-In case a vessel holding an unexpired certificate issued by the Canal authorities shall change its condition as to hull, boilers, machinery, equipment or accommodations for passengers in such manner as not to conform to the regulations under which such certificate was issued, the board of local inspectors is authorized to make an inspection and to recommend revocation of the certificate of inspection, and upon approval of such recommendation by the marine superintendent or such other officer of The Panama Canal as may be designated by the Governor, a notice of revocation will be issued to the owner, agent or master of the vessel; and after such notice of revocation the navigation of Canal Zone waters by such vessel shall subject it to the penalty prescribed by section 156 of this title. (Feb. 16, 1933, ch. 88, sec. 6, 47 Stat. 811 [U. S. Code, title 48, sec. 1336f].)

SEC. 158. Small Vessels Propelled by Machinery; Registration, Certification; and Numbering; Licensing of Operators; Fines.-Vessels not more than sixtyfive feet in length, measuring from end to end over the deck excluding sheer, and propelled in whole or in part by machinery, shall be registered, certificated, and numbered, and shall display the numbers assigned in a conspicuous place in prescribed form. Such vessels shall be subject to annual inspection, and the certificate referred to herein shall be issued for a term of one year and shall specify the number of passengers which the vessel may carry, and the number of life preservers and the fire-fighting apparatus and other equipment which the vessel shall carry.

No such vessel shall be operated except by a person holding an operator's license, issued after examination by the board of local inspectors and approved by the marine superintendent or such other officer of The Panama Canal as may be designated by the Governor.

Any person who as owner, hirer, or borrower of any such vessels, shall cause or permit it to be operated in Canal Zone waters in violation of any of the requirements of this section or of the certificate issued hereunder, shall be liable to a fine of not more than $100: Provided, however, That this section shall not apply to public vessels of the United States or of the Republic of Panama, or to tugboats or towboats propelled by steam. (Feb. 16, 1933, ch. 88, sec. 7, 47 Stat. 812; June 24, 1936, ch. 754, sec. 8, 49 Stat. 1905 [U. S. Code, title 48, sec. 1336g].)

SEC. 159. Small Vessels not Propelled by Machinery; Registration and Numbering; Fines.-Vessels not more than sixty-five feet in length and not propelled in whole or in part by machinery, shall be registered and numbered, and when numbers have been assigned they shall be displayed in a conspicuous place in prescribed form. Any person who as owner, hirer, or borrower of any such vessel, shall cause or permit it to be operated in Canal Zone waters in violation of any of the requirements of this section shall be liable to a fine of not more than $100. (Feb. 16, 1933, ch. 88, sec. 8, 47 Stat. 812; June 24, 1936, ch. 754, sec. 9, 49 Stat. 1906 [U. S. Code, title 48, sec. 1336h].)

RULE 161. A vessel merely transiting the Canal may have inspection made by the Board of Local Inspectors, if requested by the owner, agent, or master of such vessel.

RULE 162.

(This rule was superseded by section 152 of title 2, Canal Zone Code, hereinbefore quoted under Rule 160.)

RULE 163. Issuing of Certificates:

(This rule was superseded by section 154 of title 2, Canal Zone Code, hereinbefore quoted under Rule 160.)

RULE 164.

(This rule was superseded by section 155 of title 2, Canal Zone Code, hereinbefore quoted under Rule 160.)

RULE 165. Appeal from Action of the Board of Local Inspectors: An applicant for a license as Master, Mate, Engineer or Pilot, to whom the Board of Local Inspectors has refused to grant such license, or the owner, agent, or master of a vessel for which the Board has refused to grant a certificate of inspection, has the right of appeal to the Marine Superintendent of The Panama Canal, or such other officer of The Panama Canal as may be designated by the Governor. Such appeal must be entered within 10 days after the final action of the Board. The Marine Superintendent, or such other officer of The Panama Canal as may be designated by the Governor, may modify or set aside the action of the Board of Local Inspectors, in which case he shall certify his ruling to the Board for its observance.

RULE 166. Penalty:

(This rule was superseded by section 156 of title 2, Canal Zone Code, hereinbefore quoted under Rule 160.)

RULE 167. Revocation of Certificate:

(This rule was superseded by section 157 of title 2, Canal Zone Code, hereinbefore quoted under Rule 160.)

RULE 168. Small Vessels Engaged in Local Navigation in Canal Zone Waters:

(This rule was superseded by section 158 of title 2, Canal Zone Code, as amended, hereinbefore quoted under Rule 160.)

RULE 169.

(This rule was superseded by section 159 of title 2, Canal Zone Code, as amended, herein before quoted under Rule 160.)

RULE 170.

(This rule was superseded by section 160 of title 2, Canal Zone Code, which in turn was repealed by section 10 of Act June 24, 1936, ch. 754, 49 Stat. 1906. For present provisions regarding small vessels, see sections 158 and 159 of title 2, Canal Zone Code, herein before quoted under Rule 160.)

REGULATION 170.1.

(This regulation is obsolete; see note following Rule 170.)

NOTE: The additional Regulations under Chapter XII have only local interest, and are published in a separate pamphlet for issue to those concerned.

CHAPTER XIII

Radio Communication

RULE 171. Radio Communication Defined: For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the term "radio communication" means the transmission by radio of writing, signs, signals, pictures, and sounds of all kinds, including all instrumentalities, facilities, apparatus, and services (among other things the receipt, forwarding, and delivery of communications) incidental to such transmission.

(The Rules contained in this chapter appear as amended by E. O. No. 8715 of March 18, 1941 (6 F. R. 1531), promulgated by the President under authority of Canal Zone Code, title 2, section 9.)

RULE 172. Control by Governor; Exercise Through Naval Shore Stations: The Governor of The Panama Canal shall, subject to the provisions of this chapter, have entire control of radio communication in the Canal Zone so far as concerns or affects vessels in the harbors and other waters of the Canal Zone or the navigation of such waters, except vessels owned or operated by the United States Army or the United States Navy. In the exercise of such control the Governor may in his discretion utilize the shore radio stations owned by the United States and operated by the Navy Department, which stations are hereinafter referred to as the shore stations.