Page:Small-boat sailing; an explanation of the management of small yachts, half-decked and open sailing-boats of various rigs; sailing on sea and on river; cruising, etc (IA smallboatsailing01knig).pdf/256

 CHAPTER XII

BOARD OF TRADE AND OTHER REGULATIONS AFFECTING YACHTSMEN

Lights—Fog-signals—Rules of the road—Distress and pilot signals—Custom-House clearance—Ship's papers—Admiralty warrants—Owner's yachting certificate—Relations between owner and crew—Log-book—Insurance.

He who undertakes to command even the smallest craft should thoroughly master the rules of the road at sea, else he will soon find himself in difficulties, and will endanger the lives and property of himself and others. Knowledge of the law is presumed; ignorance of it is no defence; and any one who unwittingly infringes one of the Board of Trade regulations is liable to a penalty of £20, even if the infringement has caused no damage.

The Admiralty and Board of Trade have recently framed revised regulations for preventing collisions at sea; these differ in several important respects from the old rules, and came into force on July 1, 1897. The yachtsman, as master of a sailing vessel, is concerned not only with the rules (as to carrying lights, etc.) to be observed by himself, but also with the rules applying to steamers, tugs, towing-vessels,