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/276

 And 'Any master of a vessel who uses or displays, or causes or permits any person under his authority to use or display, any of the said signals for any other purpose than that of summoning a pilot, or uses, or causes, or permits any person under his authority to use, any other signal for a pilot, shall incur a penalty not exceeding twenty pounds.'

There are some other Board of Trade regulations with which the yachtsman should be conversant. For example, if he has sailed across the Channel to a foreign port he must report himself and get his vessel cleared at the first British port at which he calls on his return; and until this formality has been observed he must fly his ensign by day and carry a light under his bowsprit by night. Some years ago the author, ignorant of the regulation which compels all vessels from foreign ports to bring up off Gravesend for clearance before proceeding up the Thames, sailed by that place on his way from Ostend and did not let go his anchor till he was off North Woolwich pier. Here he was boarded by the Custom House officers; his name and address were taken down, and his vessel was searched. A few days later he received an ominous official document calling upon him to show cause why he should not be made to pay a certain heavy penalty for his infringement of the river Customs regulations. He pleaded ignorance, and as the authorities were satisfied that he was not on smuggling bent, the penalty on this occasion was not enforced.