GREAT LAKES *** the following rules for preventing collisions shall be followed in the navigation of all public and private vessels of the United States upon the Great Lakes and their connecting and tributary waters as far east as Montreal. Enacting Clause The regulations in this part govern pilots of vessels propelled by steam, gas, fluid, naphtha, or electric motors, and of other vessels propelled by machinery, navigating the Great Lakes and their connecting and tributary waters as far east as Montreal. WESTERN RIVERS § 322.01 The following rules for preventing collisions on the water shall be followed in the navigation of vessels of the Navy and of the mercantile marine of the United States. Preliminary The regulations in this part govern the pilots of vessels propelled by steam, gas, fluid, naphtha, or electric motors and of other vessels propelled by machinery, navigating the Red River of the North, the Mississippi River, and other rivers emptying into the Gulf of Mexico and their tributaries. INTERNATIONAL DEFINITIONS § 332.01 The word "vessel" includes every description of water craft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water or on water and in air. Act Sept. 21, 1922 C.356 (19 USCAS231) In the following rules every steam vessel which is under sail and not under steam is to be considered a sailing vessel, and every vessel under steam, whether under sail or not, is to be considered a steam vessel. The words "steam vessel" shall include any vessel propelled by machinery. A vessel is "under way," within the meaning of these rules, when she is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground. The word "visible" in these rules when applied to lights shall mean visible on a dark night with a clear atmosphere. Preliminary The words "short blast" used in this article shall mean a blast of about one second's duration. Art. 28 The words "prolonged blast" used in this article shall mean a blast of from four to six seconds' duration. INLAND Art. 15 Same As International GREAT LAKES Preliminary (Articles 28, 15, § 312.02, 312.03) Every steam vessel which is under sail and not under steam, shall be considered a sail vessel; and every steam vessel which is under steam, whether under sail or not, shall be considered a steam vessel. The words "steam vessel" shall include any vessel propelled by machinery. A vessel is under way within the meaning of these rules when she is not at anchor or made fast to the shore or aground. Rule 1, § 322.02 WESTERN RIVERS Rule 1. Every steam vessel which is under sail and not under steam shall be considered a sail vessel; and every steam vessel which is under steam, whether under sail or not, shall be considered a steam vessel. The words "steam vessel" shall include any vessel propelled by machinery. Rule One, § 332.02 INTERNATIONAL WHISTLE EQUIPMENT All signals prescribed by this article for vessels under way shall be given: First-By steam vessels on the whistle or siren. Second-By sailing vessels and vessels towed on the fog horn. INLAND Art. 15 All signals prescribed by this article for vessels under way shall be given: 1. By steam vessels on the whistle or siren. 2. By sailing vessels and vessels towed on the fog horn. GREAT LAKES Art. 15, § 312.03 A steam vessel shall be provided with an efficient whistle, sounded by steam or by some substitute for steam, placed before the funnel not less than 8 feet from the deck, or in such other place as Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection, shall determine, and of such character as to be heard in ordinary weather at a distance of at least two miles, and with an efficient bell, and it is hereby made the duty of Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection of steam vessels when inspecting the same to require each steamer to be furnished with such whistle and bell. A sailing vessel shall be provided with an efficient foghorn and with an efficient bell. Rule 14 WESTERN RIVERS (Fog signals) *** Steam vessels under way shall sound a steam whistle placed before the funnel, not less than eight feet from the deck. Rule 15 Visual Signal All whistle signals shall be further indicated by a visual signal consisting of an amber colored light so located as to be visible all around the horizon for a distance of not less than one mile. This light shall be so devised that it will operate simultaneously and in conjunction with the whistle sounding mechanism, and remain ignited or visible during the same period as the sound signal: Provided, That the installation, use, or employment of the amber visual signal required by this section shall be optional in the case of (a) vessels operating upon the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway; (b) vessels operating on the Mississippi River below mile 237 AHP (Belmont Landing) as set forth in map No. 40, “Maps of the Mississippi River, Cairo, Illinois, to the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana (1944 ed.)," published by the Mississippi River Commission; (c) newly constructed vessels while enroute from point of construction to a point in waters where the aforementioned amber visual signal is not required; (d) motorboats of Class A and Class 1; and (e) motorboats of Class 2 and Class 3 not engaged in trade or commerce. Good seamanship means taking your vessel where it is safe, when it is safe, at the speed of a prudent seaman. Good seamanship, like some other things, takes a lot of practice to get good at it. PART II THE MEANING OF WHISTLE SIGNALS, EXCEPT FOG SIGNALS INTERNATIONAL Signals Indicating Course or Speed The words "short blast" used in this article shall mean a blast of about one second's duration. When vessels are in sight of one another, a steam vessel under way, in taking any course authorized or required by these rules, shall indicatethat course by the following signals on her whistle or siren, namely: One short blast to mean, “I am directing my course to starboard.” Art. 28 NOTE. "I am directing my course to starboard" means "I am changing course to the right." "I am directing my course to port" means "I am changing course to the left." The 3-short blast signal is required not only when the engines are full astern, but at any speed astern, or whenever the vessel is making stern way. This rule must be obeyed by a steam vessel on the high seas and wherever International Rules apply whether the situation is meeting, overtaking, or crossing, whether the approaching vessel is ahead, abeam, or astern, and whether she is a steam vessel or a sailing vessel. It means that one- and two-blast signals are rudder signals, to be used by a steam vessel whenever, and only when, that steam vessel is making lawful change of course. It means that the second vessel does not whistle unless she also changes course. It means that if either vessel makes a second change of course she must whistle a second time. Warning Signals Every vessel may, if necessary, in order to attract attention, in addition to the lights which she is by these rules required to carry, show a flare-up light or use any detonating signal that cannot be mistaken for a distress signal. Art. 12 NOTE. This is an optional signal. A flare-up light is any bright, white light visible all around the horizon. A detonating signal is an explosive signal, as by firing a gun. No whistle signal is provided. INLAND Signals Indicating Course or Speed When vessels are in sight of one another a steam vessel under way whose engines are going at full speed astern shall indicate that fact by three short blasts on the whistle. Art. 28, § 312.03 NOTE.-Article 28, Inland Rules, differs from the International Article 28 in that it provides only for the reversing signal, which the courts have found must be blown when the engines are going at any speed astern, or when the vessel is actually moving astern though the engines have stopped. In inland waters one or two short blast signals must be blown and answered whenever steam vessels approach from any direction within half a mile of each other, whether either vessel changes course or not. Proper signals are prescribed for the meeting, overtaking, and crossing situations of steam vessels in the rules that follow. In meeting and crossing cases it is safer to blow at least a mile apart, and if necessary, repeat the signal. Warning Signals Every vessel may, if necessary, in order to attract attention, in addition to the lights which she is by these rules required to carry, show a flare-up light or use any detonating signal that cannot be mistaken for a distress signal. Art. 12 NOTE. This is an optional signal. A flare-up light is any bright, white light visible all around the horizon. A detonating signal is an explosive signal, as by firing a gun. Whenever a steam vessel is nearing a short bend or curve in the channel, where, from the height of the banks or other cause, a steam vessel approaching from the opposite direction can not be seen for a distance of half a mile, such steam vessel, when she shall have arrived within half a mile of such curve or bend, shall give a signal by one long blast of the steam whistle, which signal shall be answered by a similar blast given by any approaching steam vessel that may be within hearing. Should such signal be so answered by a steam vessel upon the farther side of such bend, then the usual signals for meeting and passing shall immediately be given and answered; but, if the first alarm signal of such vessel be not answered, she is to consider the channel clear and govern herself accordingly. When steam vessels are moved from their docks or berths, and other boats are liable to pass from any direction toward them, they shall give the same signal as in the case of vessels meeting at a bend, but immediately after clearing the berths so as to be fully in sight they shall be governed by the steering and sailing rules. Art. 18, Rule V, § 312.5 NOTE. This is the only rule in which the term “long blast” is used. It means a blast of from 8 to 10 seconds' duration. "Passing signals shall immediately be given and answered" means immediately upon sighting each other because of Article 18, Rule IX, which forbids such signals unless the steam vessels are in sight. Regardless of the permission to "consider the channel clear and govern herself accordingly," she should round the bend with alertness and caution, always remembering that an approaching vessel may not have heard her signal. The use of the bend signal in leaving a berth or dock is required whether the vessel which is getting under way in inland waters is in view of approaching vessels or not and whether moving ahead or astern. It is required when she is visible to another vessel because the latter is entitled to notice of the imminent change in status of what is apparently a vessel not under way. If she is backing, then the long blast must be followed by three short blasts, as soon as she comes in sight of another vessel. |