RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR FREEBOARD. 137 
4. In this section the expression “amidships” means the middle of the length 
of the load water-line as measured from the fore side of the stem to the aft side 
of the stern post. 
SEC. 438. (1) The owner of every British ship proceeding to sea from a port 
in the United Kingdom (except ships under 80 tons register employed solely in the 
coasting trade, ships employed solely in fishing, and pleasure yachts) shall, before 
the time hereinafter mentioned, mark upon each of her sides, amidships within 
the meaning of the last preceding section, or as near thereto as is practicable, in 
white or yellow on a dark ground, or in black on a light ground, a circular disc 
12 inches in diameter, with an horizontal line 18 inches in length drawn through 
its center. 
2. The center of this disc shall be placed at such level as may be approved by 
the Board of Trade below the deck line marked under this act and specified in the 
certificate given thereunder, and shall indicate the maximum load line in salt 
water to which it shall be lawful to load the ship. 
3. The position of the disc shall be fixed in accordance with the tables used at 
the time of the passing of this act by the Board of Trade, subject to such allowance 
as may be made necessary by any difference between the position of the deck line 
marked under this act and the position of the line from which freeboard is measured 
under the said tables, and subject also to such modifications, if any, of the tables 
and the application thereof as may be approved by the Board of Trade. 
4. In approving any such modifications the Board of Trade shall have regard 
to any representations made to them by any corporation or association for the 
survey or registry of shipping for the time being appointed or approved by the 
Board of Trade, as hereinafter mentioned, for the purpose of approving and certify- 
ing the position of the load line. 
SEc. 439. If a ship is so loaded as to submerge in salt water the center of the 
disc indicating the load line, the ship shall be deemed to be an unsafe ship within 
the meaning of the provisions hereafter contained in this part of this act, and such 
submersion shall be a reasonable and probable cause for the detention of the ship. 
SEc. 440. (1) Where a ship proceeds on any voyage from a port in the United 
Kingdom for which the owner is required to enter the ship outwards, the disc 
indicating the load line shall be marked, before so entering her, or, if that is not 
practicable, as soon afterwards as may be. 
2. The owner of the ship shall, upon entering her outwards, insert in the form 
of entry a statement in writing of the distance in feet and inches between the center 
of this disc and the upper edge of each of the deck lines which is above that center, 
and if default is made in inserting that statement, the ship may be detained. 
3. The master of the ship shall enter a copy of that statement in the agreement 
with the crew before it is signed by any member of the crew, and a superintendent 
shall not proceed with the engagement of the crew until that entry is made. 
4. The master of the ship shall also enter a copy of that statement in the 
official log book. 
5. When a ship to which this section applies has been marked with a disc 
