591 



(vi) The International Code Signal of distress 

 Indicated by N.C. 



(vil) A signal consisting of a square flag having 

 above or below it a ball or anything resembling 

 a ball. 



(vlii) Flames on the vessel (as from a burning 

 tar barrel, oil barrel, &c.) . 



(ix) A rocket parachute flare or a hand flare 

 showing a red light. 



(X) A smoke signal giving off a volume of 

 orange-coloured smoke. 



(xi) Slowly and repeatedly raising and lower- 

 ing arms outstretched to each side. 

 Note. — Vessels in distress may use the radiotele- 

 graph alarm signal or the radiotelephone alarm 

 signal to secure attention to distress calls and mes- 

 sages. The radiotelegraph alarm signal, which is 

 designed to actuate the radiotelegraph auto alarms 

 of vessels so fitted, consists of a series of twelve 

 dashes, sent in 1 minute, the duration of each dash 

 being 4 seconds, and the duration of the interval 

 between 2 consecutive dashes being 1 second. The 

 radiotelephone alarm signal consists of 2 tones 

 transmitted alternately over periods of from 30 

 seconds to 1 minute. 



(b) The use of any of the foregoing signals, 

 except for the purpose of indicating that a vessel or 

 seaplane is in distress, and the use of any signals 

 which may be confused with any of the above sig- 

 nals. Is prohibited. (Pub. L. 88-131, § 4. Sept. 24. 



1963, 77 Stat. 208.) 



Codification 

 See Historical Note under section 1053 of this title. 



Effective Date 

 Section effective Sept. 1, 1965. see Proc. No. 3632. Dec. 29. 



1964, 29 P.R. 19167, set out as a note under section 1051 of 

 this Utle. 



ANNEX TO RULES 



§ 1094. Other general considerations. 

 Assumptions to be avoided. 



(1) Assumptions made on scanty information 

 may be dangerous and should be avoided. 



Radar navigation; moderate speed; limitations of 

 radar. 



(2) A vessel navigating with the aid of radar in 

 restricted visibility must, in compliance with section 

 1077(a) of this title, go at a moderate speed. In- 

 formation obtained from the use of radar Is one of 

 the circumstances to be taken Into account when 

 determining moderate speed. In this regard it must 

 be recognised that small vessels, small Icebergs and 

 similar floating objects may not be detected by 

 radar. Radar Indications of one or more vessels in 

 the vicinity may mean that "moderate speed" should 



be slower than a mariner without radar might con- 

 sider moderate in the circumstances. 



Same ; duty to stop. 



(3) When navigating in restricted visibility the 

 radar range and bearing alone do not constitute 

 ascertainment of the position of the other vessel 

 under section 1077(b) of this title sufficiently to re- 

 lieve a vessel of the duty to stop her engines and 

 navigate with caution when a fog signal Is heard 

 forward of the beam. 



Close quarters; circumstances to guide alteration of 

 course or speed. 



(4) When action has been taken under section 

 1077(c) of this title to avoid a close quarters situa- 

 tion, it is essential to make sure that such action Is 

 having the desired effect. Alterations of course or 

 speed or both are matters as to which the mariner 

 must be guided by the circumstances of the case. 



Close quarters; alteration of course to avoid. 



(5) Alteration of course alone may be the most 

 effective action to avoid close quarters provided 

 that— 



(a) There Is sufficient sea room. 



(b) It Is made in good time. 



(c) It is substantial. A succession of small al- 

 terations of course should be avoided. 



(d) It does not result in a close quarters situa- 

 tion with other vessels. 



Alteration of course; circumstances to guide direc- 

 tion; general preference for alteration to star- 

 board. 



(6) The direction of an alteration of course is a 

 matter in which the mariner must be guided by the 

 circumstances of the case. An alteration to star- 

 t>oard, particularly when vessels are approaching 

 apparently on opposite or nearly opposite courses, is 

 generally preferable to an alteration to port. 



Substantial alteration of speed. 



(7) An alteration of speed, either alone or in con- 

 junction with an alteration of course, should be 

 substantial. A number of small alterations of sjjeed 

 should be avoided. 



Close quarters; action to take all way off vessel. 



(8) If a close quarters situation Is Imminent, the 

 most prudent action may be to take aU way off the 

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



209.) 



Codification 

 See Historical Note under section 10S3 of this title. 



Effective Date 

 Section effective Sept. 1, 1965, see Proc. No. 3632, Dec. 29. 

 1984, 29 PJl. 19167, set out as a note under section 1061 of 

 this Utle. 



19. Intervention on the High Seas 



Public Law 93-248 (88 Stat. 8) 



(See Intervention on High Seas under title vm Oceanography) 



