INTERNATIONAL RULES INLAND RULES greater height above the hull than abaft the beam on either side, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least five miles. forty feet, a bright white light, 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, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least five miles. STEAM VESSELS-SIDE LIGHTS STEAM VESSELS- -SIDE LIGHTS (b) On the starboard side a (b) On the starboard side a green light so constructed as to green light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of ten points of arc of the horizon of ten points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the star-points abaft the beam on the starboard side, and of such a charac-board side, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance ter as to be visible at a distance of of at least two miles. at least two miles. (c) 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, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least two miles. (d) The said green and red side lights shall be fitted with inboard screens projecting at least three feet forward from the light, so as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow. STEAM VESSELS-RANGE LIGHTS (e) A steam vessel when under way may carry an additional white light similar in construction to the light mentioned in subdivision (a). These two lights shall be so placed in line with the keel that one shall be at least fifteen feet higher than the other, and in such (c) 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, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least two miles. (d) The said green and red side lights shall be fitted with inboard screens projecting at least three feet forward from the light, so as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow. INTERNATIONAL RULES a position with reference to each other that the lower light shall be forward of the upper one. The vertical distance between these lights shall be less than the horizontal distance. STEAM VESSELS-RANGE LIGHTS ART. 3. A steam vessel when towing another vessel shall, in addition to her side lights, carry two bright white lights in a vertical line one over the other, not less than six feet apart, and when towing more than one vessel shall carry an additional bright white light six feet above or below such lights, if the length of the tow measuring from the stern of the towing vessel to the stern of the last vessel towed exceeds six hundred feet. Each of these of lights shall be of the same construction and character, and shall be carried in the same position as the white light mentioned in article two (a), excepting the additional light, which may be carried at a height of not less than fourteen feet above the hull. Such steam vessel may carry a 515014°-43-2 INLAND RULES the other, and in such a position with reference to each other that the lower light shall be forward of the upper one. The vertical distance between these lights shall be less than the horizontal. distance. (f) All steam vessels (except seagoing vessels and ferryboats), shall carry in addition to green and red lights required by article two (b), (c), and screens as required by article two (d), a central range of two white lights; the after light being carried at an elevation at least fifteen feet above the light at the head of the vessel. The headlight shall be so constructed as to show an unbroken light through twenty points of the compass, namely, from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on either side of the vessel, and the after light so as to show all around the horizon. STEAM VESSELS-RANGE LIGHTS ART. 3. A steam vessel when towing another vessel or vessels alongside shall, in addition to her side lights, carry two bright white lights in a vertical line, one over the other, not less than three feet apart, and when towing one or more vessels astern, regardless of the length of the tow, shall carry an additional bright white light three feet above or below such lights: Provided, That on the Red River of the North and the rivers emptying into the Gulf of Mexico and their tributaries, this article shall not affect the signal lights used on towing vessels which propel the tow by pushing at the rear of the tow. Each of these lights shall be of the same construction and character, and shall be carried in the same position as the white light mentioned in article INTERNATIONAL RULES small white light abaft the funnel or aftermast for the vessel towed to steer by, but such light shall not be visible forward of the beam. SPECIAL LIGHTS ART. 4. (a) A vessel which from any accident is not under command shall carry at the same height as a white light mentioned in article two (a), where they can best be seen, and if a steam vessel in lieu of that light two red lights, in a vertical line one over the other, not less than six feet apart, and of such a character as to be visible all around the horizon at a distance of at least two miles; and shall by day carry in a vertical line one over the other, not less than six feet apart, where they can best be seen, two black balls or shapes, each two feet in diameter. (b) A vessel employed in laying or in picking up a telegraph cable shall carry in the same position as the white light mentioned in article two (a), and if a steam vessel in lieu of that light three lights in a vertical line one over the other not less than six feet apart. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red, and the middle light shall be white, and they shall be of such a character as to be visible all around the horizon, at a distance of at least two miles. By day she shall carry in a vertical line, one over the other, not less than six feet apart, where they can best be seen, three shapes not less than two feet in diameter, of which the highest and lowest shall be globular in shape and red in color, and the middle one diamond in shape and white. (c) The vessels referred to in this article, when not making way through the water, shall not carry INLAND RULES two (a) or the after range light mentioned in article two (f). Such steam vessel may carry a small white light abaft the funnel or aftermast for the vessel towed to steer by, but such light shall not be visible forward of the beam. INTERNATIONAL RULES INLAND RULES the side lights, but when making way shall carry them. (d) The lights and shapes required to be shown by this article are to be taken by other vessels as signals that the vessel showing them is not under command and can not therefore get out of the way. These signals are not signals of vessels in distress and requiring assistance. Such signals are contained in article thirty-one. LIGHTS FOR SAILING VESSELS AND LIGHTS FOR SAILING VESSELS AND 4 SEC. 2.3 That the Board of Supervising Inspectors of Steam Vessels shall establish such rules to be observed by steam vessels in passing each other and as to the lights to be carried by ferryboats and by barges and canal boats when in tow of steam vessels, and as to the lights and day signals to be carried by vessels, dredges of all types, and vessels working on wrecks by [or] other obstruction to navigation or moored for submarine operations, or made fast to a sunken object which may drift with the tide or be towed, not inconsistent with the provisions of 8 See act of June 7, 1897, as amended (30 Stat. 102; 33 U. S. C. 157). 4 Under Executive Order 9083, dated February 28, 1942, all functions of the Board of Supervising Inspectors, and the functions of the Secretary of Commerce under this act are transferred to the Commandant of the U. S. Coast Guard. INTERNATIONAL RULES LIGHTS FOR SMALL VESSELS ART. 6. Whenever, as in the case of small vessels under way during bad weather, the green and red side lights cannot be fixed, these lights shall be kept at hand, lighted and ready for use; and shall, on the approach of or to other vessels, be exhibited on their respective sides in sufficient time to prevent collision, in such manner as to make them most visible, and so that the green light shall not be seen on the port side nor the red light on the starboard side, nor, if practicable, more than two points abaft the beam on their respective sides. To make the use of these portable lights more certain and easy the lanterns containing them shall each be painted outside with the color of the light they respectively contain, and shall be provided with proper screens. LIGHTS FOR SMALL STEAM AND SAIL VESSELS AND OPEN BOATS INLAND RULES 4 this act, as they from time to time may deem necessary for safety, which rules when approved by the Secretary of Commerce are hereby declared special rules duly made by local authority, as provided for in article thirty of chapter eight hundred and two of the laws of eighteen hundred and ninety. Two printed copies of such rules shall be furnished to such ferryboats, barges, dredges, canal boats, vessels working on wrecks, and steam vessels, which rules shall be kept posted up in conspicuous places in such vessels, barges, dredges, and boats. LIGHTS FOR SMALL VESSELS ART. 6. Whenever, as in the case of vessels of less than ten gross tons under way during bad weather, the green and red side lights cannot be fixed, these lights shall be kept at hand, lighted and ready for use; and shall, on the approach of or to other vessels, be exhibited on their respective sides in sufficient time to prevent collision, in such manner as to make them most visible, and so that the green light shall not be seen on the port side nor the red light on the starboard side, nor, if practicable, more than two points abaft the beam on their respective sides. To make the use of these portable lights more certain and easy the lanterns containing them shall each be painted outside with the color of the light they respectively contain, and shall be provided with proper screens. ART. 7. Steam vessels of less ART. 7. Rowing boats, whether than forty, and vessels under oars under oars or sail, shall have or sails of less than twenty tons ready at hand a lantern showing gross tonnage, respectively, and a white light which shall be tem 4 See footnote on p. 7. |