Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 28.djvu/1273

 PROCLAMATION S. N 0. 13. 1 251 RULES CONCERNING LI urs AND so F ara. Regulations to rs- G ’ ° `é$.'.2%‘L?’".€'¤.‘°”“':"‘ ll The word "visible" in these rules when applied to lights shall mean visible on a Lights. dark night with a clear atmosphere. ARTICLE 1. The rules concerning lights shall be complied with in all weathers from sunset to sunrise, and during suc time no other lights which may be mistaken for the prescribed lights shall be exhibited. Ama 2. A steam-vessel when under way shall carry- (a) On or in front of the foremast, or if a vessel without a foremast, then in the fore part of the vessel, at a height above the hull of not less than twenty feet, and if the breadth of the vessel exceeds twenty feet then at a height above the hull not less than such breadth, so, however, that the ligllit need not be carried at a' greater height above the hull than forty feet, a bright w ite light, so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an are of the horizon of twenty points of the compass, so iixed as to throw the light ten points on each side of the vessel, namely, hom right ahead to two points abaft the beam on either side, and of such a character as to he visible at a distance of at least live miles. (b) On the starboard side a green light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an are of the horizon of ten points of the compass, so iixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the starboard side, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least two miles. (c) On the port ide 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 ro- {ecting at least three feet forward from the light, so as to prevent these lights fiom eing seen across the bow. (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 hghts shall he so placed in line with the keel that one shall be at least fifteen feet higher than 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. ART. 3. A steaurvessel when towing another vessel shall, in addition to her sidelights, 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 light, 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 lights shall be of the same construction and character, and shall be carried in the same pos1tiou 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. small white light abaft the funnel or aftermast for the vessel towed to steer by, but such light shall not he visible forward of the beam. Am`. 4. (a) A vessel which from any accident is not under command shall carr at the same height as a white light mentioned in article two és), where they can best be seen, and if a steam—vesse in lieu of that light, two re 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 :1. 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 mentions in article two (n.), and if a steamvessel 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 arounrl the horizon, at a distance of a 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 glo ular in shape and red in color, and the middle one diamond in sha e and white. (c) lhe vessels referred to in this article, when not making way through the water, · shall not ca the side-lights, but when making way shal carry them. (d) The lghts 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 signa s are not signals of vessels in distress and requiring assistance. Such signals are contained in article thirty-one. Am'. 5. Asailing vessel under way and any vessel being towed shall carg the same lights as are prescribed by article two for a steam·vessel under way, wi the exception of the white lights mentioned therein, which they shall never carry. ART. 6. \Vhenever, as in the case of small vessels under way during bad weather, the green and red side-lights can not 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 si e, nor, if practicable, more than two points abaft the beam on their respective sides.