Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 77.djvu/241

 77 STAT. ]

PUBLIC LAW 88-131-SEPT. 24, 1963

"(ix) A rocket parachute flare or a hand flare showing a red light. " (x) A smoke signal giving off a volume of orange-coloured smoke. "(xi) Slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side. "NOTE.—Vessels in distress may use the radiotele^aph alarm signal or the radiotelephone alarm signal to secure attention to distress calls and messages. The radiotelegraph alarm signal, which is designed to actuate the radiotelegraph auto alarms of vessels so fitted, consists of a series of twelve dashes, sent in 1 minute, the duration of each dash being 4 seconds, and the duration of the interval between 2 consecutive dashes being 1 second. The radiotelephone alarm signal consists of 2 tones transmitted alternately over periods of from 30 seconds to 1 minute. "(b) The use of any of the foregoing signals, except for the purpose of indicating that a vessel or seaplane is in distress, and the use of any signals which may be confused with any of the above signals, is prohibited. " A N N E X TO THE RULES "RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE USE or RADAR INFORMATION AS AN AID TO AVOIDING COLLISIONS AT SEA

"(1) Assumptions made on scanty information may be dangerous and should be avoided. "(2) A vessel navigating with the aid of radar in restricted visibility must, in compliance with Rule 16(a), go at a moderate speed. Information obtained from the use of radar is one of the circumstances to be taken into account when determining moderate speed. In this regard it must be recognised that small vessels, small icebergs and similar floating objects may not be detected by radar. Radar indications of one or more vessels in the vicinity may mean that "moderate speed" should be slower than a mariner without radar might consider moderate in the circumstances. "(3) When navigating in restricted visibility the radar range and bearing alone do not constitute ascertainment of the position of the other vessel under Rule 16(b) sufficiently to relieve a vessel of the duty to stop her engines and navigate with caution when a fog signal is heard forward of the beam. "(4) When action has been taken under Rule 16(c) to avoid a close quarters situation, it is essential to make sure that such action is having the desired effect. Alterations of course or speed or both are matters as to which the mariner must be guided by the circumstances of the case. "(5) Alteration of course alone may be the most effective action to avoid close quarters provided that— " (a) There is sufficient sea room. "^b) I t is made in good time. "(c) I t is substantial. A succession of small alterations of course should be avoided. " (d) I t does not result in a close quarters situation with other vessels. " (6) The direction of an alteration of course is a matter in which the mariner must be guided by the circumstances of the case. An alteration to starboard, particularly when vessels are approaching apparently on opposite or nearly opposite courses, is generally preferable to an alteration to port. 93-025 0 - 6 4 - 1 6

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