Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 77.djvu/240

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PUBLIC LAW 88-131-SEPT. 24, 1963

[77 STAT.

doubt whether sufficient action is being taken b]^ the other vessel to avert collision, she may indicate such doubt by giving at least five short and rapid blasts on the whistle. The giving of such a signal shall not relieve a vessel of her obligations under Kules 27 and 29 or any other Rule, or of her duty to indicate any action taken under these Rules by giving the appropriate sound signals laid down in this Rule. "(c) Any whistle signal mentioned in this Rule may be further indicated by a visual signal consisting of a white light visible all round the horizon at a distance of at least 5 miles, and so devised that it will operate simultaneously and in conjunction with the whistlesounding mechanism and remain lighted and visible during the same period as the sound signal. " (d) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of any special rules made by the Government of any nation with respect to the use of additional whistle signals between ships of war or vessels sailing under convoy. " P A R T F.—MISCELLANEOUS

"Rule 29 "Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to carry lights or signals, or of any neglect to Keep a proper look-out, or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case. "Rule 30 "Reservation of Rules for Harbours and Inland Navigation "Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of a special rule duly made by local authority relative to the navigation of any harbour, river, lake, or inland water, including a reserved seaplane area. "Rule 31 "Distress Signals " (a) When a vessel or seaplane on the water is in distress and requires assistance from other vessels or from the shore, the following shall be the signals to be used or displayed by her, either together or separately, namely— " (i) A gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a-minute. "(ii) A continuous sounding with any fog-signalling apparatus. "(iii) Rockets or shells, throwing red stars fired one at a time at short intervals, "(iv) A signal made by radiotelegraphy or by any other signalling method consisting of the group... ... in the Morse Code. "(v) A signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of the spoken word 'Mayday'. "(vi) The International Code Signal of distress indicated by N.C. "(vii) A signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball. "(viii) Flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, &c.).

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