ORGANIC LAWS GOVERNING U.S. COAST GUARD 47 



(b) Whenever a power-driven vessel which, under these Rules, is 

 to keep her course and speed, is in sight of another vessel and is in 

 doubt whether sufficient action is being taken by 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 Rules 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 in- 

 dicated 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 whistle-sounding 

 mechanism and remain lighted and visible during the same period as 

 the sound si^al. 



(d) Nothmg 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. 



Part F. — Miscellaneous 



33 U.S.C. 1091 (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 maj'^ be required by the ordinary 

 practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case. 



RESERVATION OF RULES FOR HARBOURS AND INLAND NAVIGATION 



33 U.S.C. 1092 (Rule 30) 



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. 



DISTRESS SIGNALS 



33 U.S.C. 1093 (Rule 31) 



(a) When a vessel or seaplane on the water is in distress and re- 

 quires 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". 



