588 



(11) by sailing vessels on the fog horn; 



(Hi) by vessels towed on the whistle or fog horn. 



(c) Number and length of blasts and rings. 



In fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, or 

 any other condition similarly restricting visibility, 

 whether by day or night, the signals prescribed in 

 this section shall be used as follows — 



(1) A power-driven vessel making way through 

 the water shall sound at intervals of not more 

 than 2 minutes a prolonged blast. 



(ii) A power-driven vessel under way, but 

 stopped and making no way through the water, 

 shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 min- 

 utes two prolonged blasts, with an interval of 

 about 1 second between them. 



(ill) A sailing vessel under way shall sound, at 

 Intervals of not more than 1 minute, when on the 

 starboard tack one blast, when on the port tack 

 two blasts in succession, and when with the wind 

 abaft the beam three blasts in succession. 



(Iv) A vessel when at anchor shall at Intervals 

 of not more than 1 minute ring the bell rapidly 

 for about 5 seconds. In vessels of more than 350 

 feet in length the bell shall be sounded in the fore- 

 part of the vessel, and in addition there shall be 

 sounded in the after part of the vessel, at intervals 

 of not more than 1 minute for about 5 seconds,, 

 a going or other instrument, the tone and sound- 

 ing of which cannot be confused with that of the 

 bell. Every vessel at anchor may in addition. In 

 accordance with section 1072 of this title, sound 

 three blasts in succession, namely, one short, one 

 prolonged, and one short blast, to give warning 

 of her position and of the possibility of collision 

 to an approaching vessel. 



(V) A vessel when towing, a vessel engaged in 

 laying or in picking up a submarine cable or navi- 

 gation mark, and a vessel under way which is 

 unable to get out of the way of an approaching 

 vessel through being not under command or un- 

 able to manoeuvre as required by sections 1061 to 

 1094 of this title shall, instead of the signals 

 prescribed in clauses (i) , (11) , and (ill) of this sub- 

 section sound, at intervals of not more than 1 

 minute, three blasts in succession, namely, one 

 prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. 



(vi) A vessel towed, or, if more than one vessel 

 Is towed, only the last vessel of the tow, if manned, 

 shall, at intervals of not more than 1 minute, 

 sound four blasts in succession, namely, one pro- 

 longed blast followed by three short blasts. When 

 practicable, this signal shall be made immediately 

 after the signal made by the towing vessel. 



(vii) A vessel aground shall give the bell signal 

 and, if required, the gong signal, prescribed in 

 clause (iv) of this subsection and shall, in addi- 

 tion, give 3 separate and distinct strokes on the 

 bell immediately before and after such rapid ring- 

 ing of the bell. 



(viil) A vessel engaged in fishing when under 

 way or at anchor shall at intervals of not more 

 than 1 minute sound the signal prescribed in 

 clause (V) of this subsection. A vessel when fish- 

 ing with trolling lines and under way shall sound 



the signals prescribed in clauses (1), (11), or (ill) 

 of this subsection as may be appropriate. 



(ix) A vessel of less than 40 feet in length, a 

 rowing boat, or a seaplane on the water, shall not 

 be obliged to give the above-mentioned signals 

 but if she does not, she shall make some other effi- 

 cient sound signal at Intervals of not more than 

 1 minute. 



(X) A power-driven pilot-vessel when engaged 

 on pilotage duty may, in addition to the signals 

 prescribed in clauses (1), (ii) and (iv) of this 

 subsection, sound an identity signal consisting of 

 4 short blasts. 

 (Pub. L. 88-131, § 4, Sept. 24, 1963. 77 Stat. 203.) 



§ 1077. Speed in weather restricting visibility (Rule 

 16). 



(a) Every vessel, or seaplane when taxl-lng on 

 the water, shall, in fog, mist, falling snow, heavy 

 rainstorms or any other condition similarly restrict- 

 ing visibility, go at a moderate speed, having care- 

 ful regard to the existing circumstances and con- 

 ditions. 



(b) A power-driven vessel hearing, apparently 

 forward of her beam, the fog-signal of a vessel the 

 position of which is not ascertained, shall, go far as 

 the circumstances of the case admit, stop her en- 

 gines, and then navigate with caution until danger 

 of collision Is over. 



(c) A power-driven ve.ssel which detects the pres- 

 ence of another vessel forward of her beam before 

 hearing her fog signal or sighting her visually may 

 take early and substantial action to avoid a close 

 quarters situation but. if this cannot be avoided, 

 she shall, so far as the circumstances of the case 

 admit, stop her engines in proper time to avoid col- 

 lision and then navigate with caution until danger 

 of collision is over. (Pub. L. 88-131, § 4, Sept. 24, 

 1963, 77 Stat. 205.) 



STEERING AND SAILING RULES 

 § 1078. General considerations. 



1. In obeying and construing sections 1061 to 1094 

 of this title, any action taken should be positive, in 

 ample time, and with due regard to the observance 

 of good seamanship. 



2. Risk of collision can, when circumstances per- 

 mit, be ascertained by carefully watching the com- 

 pass bearing of an approaching vessel. If the bear- 

 ing does not appreciably change, such risk should be 

 deemed to exist. 



3. Mariners should bear in mind that seaplanes in 

 the act of landing or taking off, or operating under 

 adverse weather conditions, may be unable to change 

 their intended action at the last moment. 



4. Sections 1079 to 1086 of this title apply only to 

 vessels in sight of one another. (Pub. L. 88-131, § 4, 

 Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 205.) 



§ 1079. Sailing vessels approaching one another; wind- 

 ward side (Rule 17). 



(a) When two sailing vessels are approaching 

 one another, so as to involve risk of collision, one of 



