590 



nel shall, when it is safe and practicable, keep to 

 that side of the fairway or mid-channel which lies 

 on the starboard side of such vessel. 



(b) Whenever a power-driven vessel is nearing 

 a bend in a channel where a vessel approaching 

 from the other direction cannot be seen, such power- 

 driven vessel, when she shall have arrived within 

 one-half (Vi) mile of the bend, shall give a signal 

 by one prolonged blast on her whistle which signal 

 shall be answered by a similar blast given by any 

 approaching power-driven vessel that may be within 

 hearing around the bend. Regardless of whether 

 an approaching vessel on the farther side of the 

 bend is heard, such bend shall be rounded with 

 alertness and caution. 



(c) In a narrow channel a power-driven vessel 

 of less than 65 feet in length shall not hamper the 

 safe passage of a vessel which can navigate only 

 inside such channel. (Pub. L. 88-131, § 4, Sept. 24, 

 1963. 77 Stat. 207.) 



§ 1088. Right of way of fishing vessels; obstruction of 

 fairways (Rule 26). 

 All vessels not engaged In fishing, except vessels 

 to which the provisions of section 1064 of this title 

 apply, shall, when under way, keep out of the way 

 of vessels engaged in fishing. This section shall not 

 give to any vessel engaged in fishing the right of 

 obstructing a fairway used by vessels other than 

 fishing vessels. (Pub. L. 88-131, § 4, Sept. 24. 1963. 

 77 Stat. 207.) 



§ 1089. Special circumstances requiring departure from 

 rules to avoid immediate danger (Rule 27). 



In obeying and construing sections 1061 to 1094 of 

 this title due regard shall be had to all dangers of 

 navigation and collision, and to any special circum- 

 stances, including the limitations of the craft in- 

 volved, which may render a departure from such 

 sections necessary in order to avoid immediate 

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

 207.) 



SOUND SIGNALS FOR VESSELS IN SIGHT OP 

 ONE ANOTHER 



§ 1090. Sound signals indicating course (Rule 28). 



(a) Meaning of blast^. 



When vessels are in sight of one another, a power- 

 driven vessel under way, in taking any course author- 

 ised or required by sections 1061 to 1094 of this title, 

 shall indicate that course by the following signals 

 on her whistle, namely — 



One short blast to mean "I am altering my 

 course to starboard". 



Two short blasts to mean "I am altering my 

 course to port". 



Three short blasts to mean "My engines are 

 going astern". 



(b) Doubt as to action of other vessel. 



Whenever a p>ower-drlven vessel which, under sec- 

 tions 1061 to 1094 of this title, 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 Ave short and rapid blasts 



on the whistle. The giving of such a signal shall 

 not relieve a vessel of her obligations under sections 

 1089 and 1091 of this title or any other provision 

 of sections 1061 to 1094 of this title, or of her duty 

 to indicate any action taken under sections 1061 to 

 1094 of this title by giving the appropriate sound 

 signals laid down in this section. 



(c) Simultaneous operation of whistle and visual 

 signals. 



Any whistle signal mentioned in this section may 

 be further indicated 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 

 signal. 



(d) Additional signals between ships of war or ves- 

 sels sailing under convoy. 



Nothing in sections 1061 to 1094 of this title 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. (Pub. L. 

 88-131, § 4, Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 207.) 



MISCELLANEOUS RULES 



§ 1091. Usual additional precautions required gen- 

 erally (Rule 29). 



Nothing in sections 1061 to 1094 of this title 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 may be required by the ordinary practice of 

 seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case. 

 (Pub. L. 88-131, § 4. Sept. 24, 1963. 77 Stat. 208.) 



§ 1092. Reservation of rules for harbours and inland 

 navigation (Rule 30). 



Nothing in sections 1061 to 1094 of this title 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. Includ- 

 ing a reserved seaplane area. (Pub. L. 88-131, § 4, 

 Sept. 24, 1963. 77 Stat. 208.) 



§ 1093. Distress signals (Rule 31). 



(a) When a vessel or seaplane on the water Is In 

 distress and requires 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. 



(11) A continuous sounding with any fog- 

 signalling apparatus. 



(ill) Rockets or shells, throwing red stars fired 

 one at a time at short intervals. 



(iv) A signal made by radlotelegraphy or by 

 any other signalling method consisting of the 

 group ... ... In the Morse Code. 



<v) A signal sent by radio telephony consisting 

 of the spoken word "Mayday". 



