Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 77.djvu/238

 206

PUBLIC LAW 88-131-SEPT. 24, 1963

[77 STAT.

are when each of two vessels is end on, or nearly end on, to the other; in other words, to cases in which, by day, each vessel sees the masts of the other in a line, or nearly in a line, with her own; and by night, to cases in which each vessel is in such a position as to see both the sidelights of the other. It does not apply, by day, to cases in which a vessel sees another ahead crossing her own course; or, by night, to cases where the red light of one vessel is opposed to the red light of the other or where the green light of one vessel is opposed to the green light of the other or where a red light without a green light or a green light without a red light is seen ahead, or where both green and red lights are seen anywhere but ahead. "(b) For the purposes of this Kule and Kules 19 to 29 inclusive, except Eule 20(c) and Eule 28, a seaplane on the water shall be deemed to be a vessel, and the expression 'power-driven vessel' shall be construed accordingly. "Kule 19 "When two power-driven vessels are crossing, so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way of the other. "Eule 20 "(a) When a power-driven vessel and a sailing vessel are proceeding in such directions as to involve risk of collision, except as provided for in Eules 24 and 26, the power-driven vessel shall keep out of the way of the sailing vessel. "(b) This Eule shall not give to a sailing vessel the right to hamper, in a narrow channel, the safe passage of a power-driven vessel which can navigate only inside such channel. "(c) A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In circumstances, however, where risk of collision exists, she shall comply with these Eules. "Eule 21 "Where by any of these Eules one of two vessels is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course and speed. When, from any cause, the latter vessel finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the giving-way vessel alone, she also shall take such action as will best aid to avert collision (see Eules 27 and 29). "Eule 22 "Every vessel which is directed by these Eules to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, so far as possible, take positive early action to comply with this obligation, and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other. "Eule 23 "Every power-driven vessel which is directed by these Eules to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, on approaching her, if necessary, slacken her speed or stop or reverse. "Kule 24 "(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in these Eules, every vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the overtaken vessel.

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