Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 77.djvu/237

 77 STAT. ]

PUBLIC LAW 88-131-SEPT. 24, 1963

(i), (ii) and (iv), sound an identity signal consisting of 4 short blasts. "Rule 16 " (a) Every vessel, or seaplane when taxi-ing on the water, shall, in fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms or any other condition similarly restricting visibility, go at a moderate speed, having careful regard to the existing circumstances and conditions. " (b) A power-driven vessel hearing, apparently forward of her beam, the fog-signal of a vessel the position of which is not ascertained, shall, so far as the circumstances of the case admit, stop her engines, and then navigate with caution until danger of collision is over. "(c) A power-driven vessel which detects the presence of another vessel forward of her beam before hearing her fog signal or sighting her visually may take earlj; and substantial action to avoid a close quarters situation but, if this cannot be avoided, she shall, so far as the circumstances of the case admit, stop her engines in proper time to avoid collision and then navigate with caution until danger of collision is over. " P A R T D.—STEERING AND SAILING RULES "PRELIMINARY

" 1. I n obeying and construing these Rules, any action taken should be positive, in ample time, and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship. "2. Risk of collision can, when circumstances permit, be ascertained by carefully watching the compass bearing of an approaching vessel. If the bearing does not appreciably change, such risk should be deemed to exist. "3. Mariners should bear in mind that seaplanes in the act of landing or taking off, or operating under adverse weather conditions, may be unable to change their intended action at the last moment. "4. Rules 17 to 24 apply only to vessels in sight of one another. "Rule 17 " (a) When two sailing vessels are approaching one another, so as to involve risk of collision, one of them shall keep out of the way of the other as follows— "(i) When each has the wind on a different side, the vessel which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other. "(ii) When both have the wind on the same side, the vessel which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to leeward. "(b) For the purposes of this Rule the windward side phall be deemed to be the side opposite to that on which the mainsail is carried or, in the case of a square-rigged vessel, the side opposite to that on which the largest fore-and-aft sail is carried. "Rule 18 " (a) When two power-driven vessels are meeting end on, or nearly end on, so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter her course to starboard, so that each may pass on the port side of the other. This Rule only applies to cases where vessels are meeting end on, or nearly end on, in such a manner as to involve risk of collision, and does not apply to two vessels which must, if both keep on their respective course, pass clear of each other. The only cases to which it does apply

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