In small vessels, when it is not possible on account of bad weather or other sufficient cause to fix the green and red side lights, these lights shall be kept at hand, lighted and ready for immediate use, and shall, on the approach of or to other vessels, be exhibited on their respective sides in sufficient time to prevent collision, in such manner as to make them most visible, and so that the green light shall not be seen on the port side nor the red light on the starboard side, nor, if practicable, more than 2 points (222 degrees) abaft the beam on their respective sides. To make the use of these portable lights more certain and easy, the lanterns containing them shall each be painted outside with the color of the lights they respectively contain, and shall be provided with proper

screens.

§ 111.54

Same; motorboats under 26 feet in length.

Motorboats under 26 feet in length when under way shall carry:

(a) In the afterpart of the vessel, a bright white light, so constructed as to show an unbroken light all around the horizon and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least 2 miles.

(b) In the forepart of the vessel and lower than the white light mentioned in paragraph (a) of this section, a combined lantern showing a green light to starboard and a red light to port, so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on their respective sides, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least 1 mile.

§ 111.55 Same; motorboats 26 to 65 feet in length.

Motorboats 26 to 65 feet in length when under way shall carry:

(a) In the forepart of the vessel and as near the stem as practicable, a bright white light, so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 20 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light 10 points

on each side of the vessel, namely, from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on either side, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least 2 miles.

(b) In the afterpart of the vessel, and higher than the light mentioned in paragraph (a) of this section, a bright white light so constructed as to show all around the horizon, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least 2 miles.

(c) On the starboard side a green light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass, so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on the starboard side, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least 1 mile.

(d) On the port side a red light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass, so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on the port side, and of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least 1 mile.

(e) The said green and red (side) lights shall be fitted with inboard screens in such a manner so as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bows.

§ 111.56

Same; small rowing boats under oars or sail.

Small rowing boats, whether under oars or sail, shall only be required to have ready at hand an electric torch or a lighted lantern showing a white light, which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.

§ 111.57 Same; pilot launches engaged on pilot duty and not at anchor.

A pilot launch, when engaged on pilot duty and not at anchor shall, in addition to the lights required of motorboats of her class by § 111.55 carry directly below her after white light, a red light, so constructed and so fixed, and of such character, as to be visible all around the horizon at a distance of at least 2 miles. § 111.58 Lights and shapes; vessel at anchor.

(a) A vessel under 150 feet in length, when at anchor, shall carry in the forepart of the vessel, where it can best be

seen, a white light in a lantern so constructed as to show a clear, uniform, and unbroken light visible all around the horizon at a distance of at least 2 miles.

(b) A vessel of 150 feet or upwards in length, when at anchor, shall carry in the forepart of the vessel, at a height of not less than 20 feet above the hull, one such light, and at or near the stern of the vessel and at such a height that it shall be not less than 15 feet lower than the forward light, another such light. Both these lights shall be visible all around the horizon at a distance of at least 3 miles.

(c) Between sunrise and sunset every vessel when at anchor shall carry in the forepart of the vessel, where it can best be seen, one black ball not less than 2 feet in diameter.

(d) Vessels not more than 65 feet in length when at anchor in any special anchorage designated by the Governor for such vessels shall not be required to carry or exhibit the white light specified in paragraph (a) of this section, nor the black ball specified by paragraph (c) of this section.

§ 111.59 Lights; seaplane at anchor.

(a) A seaplane on the water under 150 feet in length, when at anchor, shall carry, where it can best be seen, a white light, visible all around the horizon at a distance of at least 2 miles.

(b) A seaplane on the water 150 feet or upwards in length, when at anchor, shall carry, where they can best be seen a white light forward and a white light aft, both lights visible all around the horizon at a distance of at least miles;

and, in addition, if the seaplane is more than 150 feet in span, a white light on each side to indicate the maximum span, and visible, so far as practicable, all around the horizon at a distance of 1 mile.

§ 111.60 Lights and shapes; vessel aground.

A vessel aground shall carry by night the light or lights prescribed in §111.58 (a) or (b) and the two red lights prescribed in § 111.45 (a). By day she shall carry, where they can best be seen, three black balls, each not less than 2 feet in diameter, placed in a vertical line one over the other, not less than 6 feet apart. § 111.61 Lights; seaplane aground.

A seaplane aground shall carry an anchor light or lights as prescribed in

§ 111.59 (a) or (b), and in addition may carry two red lights in a vertical line, at least 3 feet apart, so placed as to be visible all around the horizon.

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§ 111.62 Same; vessel or seap la moored at wharf or side of Canal.

A vessel or seaplane moored alongside a wharf or at the side of the Canal and every vessel or seaplane in a nest which is so moored shall display over the offshore side of the vessel, both at the bow and at the stern, a white light of such character as to be plainly visible from the Canal at a distance of at least 1 mile. § 111.63 Lights and sound signals to attract attention.

Every vessel or seaplane on the water may, if necessary in order to attract attention, in addition to the lights which she is by the provisions in this part required to carry, show a flare-up light or use a detonating or other efficient sound signal that cannot be mistaken for any signal authorized elsewhere in this part.

§ 111.64 Shape; vessel both under sail and machinery.

A vessel proceeding under sail, when also being propelled by machinery, shall carry in the daytime forward, where it can best be seen, one black conical shape, point upwards, not less than 2 feet in diameter at its base.

§ 111.65 Blinding lights not to be directed into pilot house.

Under no circumstances shall the rays of a searchlight or any other type of blinding light be directed into the pilot house, or in any other manner or direction which would interfere with the navigation of another vessel.

Subpart C-Sound Signals in Fog,

Aground at Anchor, etc.

§ 111.101 Sound signals; how given.

A power-driven vessel shall be provided with an efficient whistle, sounded by steam or by some substitute for steam, so placed that the sound may not be intercepted by any obstruction, and with an efficient foghorn to be sounded by mechanical means, and also with an efficient bell. A sailing vessel of 20 gross tons or upwards shall be provided with a similar foghorn and bell. All signals prescribed by § 111.102 for vessels under way shall be given:

(a) By power-driven vessels or motorboats on the whistle.

(b) By sailing vessels on the foghorn.

(c) By vessels towed on the whistle or foghorn.

§ 111.102 Same; vessel in fog, mist, etc.

In fog, mist, heavy rainstorms, or any other condition similarly restricting visibility, whether by day or night, the signals described in this section shall be used as follows:

(a) Power-driven vessel or motorboat making way. A power-driven vessel or motorboat making way through the water, shall sound at intervals of not more than 1 minute, a prolonged blast.

(b) Power-driven vessel or motorboat under way but not making way. A power-driven vessel or motorboat under way, but stopped and making no way through the water, shall sound, at intervals of not more than 1 minute, two prolonged blasts, with an interval of about 1 second between them.

(c) Sailing vessel under way. 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.

(d) Vessel at anchor. 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 forepart 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 gong or other instrument, the tone and sounding of which cannot be confused with that of the bell. Every vessel at anchor may in addition, in accordance with § 111.63 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.

(e) Vessel towing, not under command, etc. A vessel when towing, a vessel engaged in laying or in picking up a submarine cable or navigation 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 unable to maneuver as required by this part shall, instead of the signals prescribed in paragraphs (a), (b), and

(c) of this section, sound, at intervals of not more than 1 minute, three blasts in succession, namely, one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts.

(f) Vessel towed. 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 prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. When practicable this signal shall be made immediately after the signal made by the towing vessel.

(g) Vessel aground. A vessel aground shall give the signal prescribed in paragraph (d) of this section, and shall, in addition, give three separate and distinct strokes on the bell immediately before and after each such signal.

§ 111.103 Same; seaplane on the water in fog, mist, etc.

A seaplane on the water shall not be obliged to give the signals mentioned in § 111.102 but if she does not, she shall make some other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than 1 minute. Subpart D-Steering and Sailing Rules § 111.141 General.

(a) In obeying and construing the provisions of these steering and sailing rules, any action taken should be positive, executed in ample time, and done with due regard to the observance of good seamanship.

(b) Risk of collision can, when circumstances permit, be ascertained by carefully watching the compass bearing of an approaching vessel. If the bearing does not appreciably change, such risk should be deemed to exist.

(c) 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! § 111.142 Sailing vessels approaching with risk of collision.

When two sailing vessels are approaching one another, so as to involve risk of collision, one of them shall keep out of the way of the other, as follows:

(a) A vessel which is running free shall keep out of the way of a vessel which is close-hauled.

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(b) A vessel which is close-hauled on the port tack shall keep out of the way of a vessel which is close-hauled on the starboard tack.

(c) When both are running free, with the wind on different sides, the vessel which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other.

(d) When both are running free, with the wind on the same side, the vessel which is to the windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to the leeward.

(e) A vessel which has the wind aft shall keep out of the way of the other vessel.

§ 111.143

Two power-driven vessels or two motorboats meeting end on. When two power-driven vessels are meeting end on, or nearly end on, so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter her course to starboard, so that each may pass on the port side of the other, and when two motorboats are meeting end on, or nearly end on, so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter her course to starboard, so that each may pass on the port side of the other. This section only applies to cases where such vessels are meeting end on, or nearly end on, in such a manner as to involve risk of collision, and does not apply to two such vessels which must, if both keep on their respective courses, pass clear of each other. The only cases to which it does apply are those in which each of two such vessels is end on, or nearly end on, to the other; in other words, to cases in which by day, each vessel sees the masts of the other in a line, or nearly in a line with her own; and by night, to cases in which each vessel is in such a position as to see both of the sidelights of the other. It does not apply by day, to cases in which a vessel sees another ahead crossing her own course; or, by night, to cases where the red light of one vessel is opposed to the red light of the other or where the green light of one vessel is opposed to the green light of the other or where a red light without a green light or a green light without a red light is seen ahead, or where both green and red lights are seen anywhere but ahead.

out of the way of the other, and when two motorboats are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the motorboat which has the other on her starboard side shall keep out of the way of the other.

§ 111.145 Right-of-way for power-driven vessels, motorboats, and sailing vessels in certain cases.

When two vessels are proceeding in such directions as to invoke risk of collision, except as provided in § 111.150, concerning overtaking vessels, one such vessel shall keep out of the way of the other as follows:

(a) A sailing vessel shall keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel.

(b) A motorboat shall keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel.

(c) A motorboat shall keep out of the way of a sailing vessel.

(d) A power-driven vessel or sailing vessel or motorboat that is entering or preparing to enter the main channel of the Canal from either side shall not cross the bow of a vessel proceeding in either direction along the Canal axis and shall keep clear until the vessel proceeding along the Canal axis has passed.

§ 111.146 Vessels meeting in vicinity of obstructions.

When two power-driven vessels are meeting end on, or nearly end on, in the Canal in the vicinity of an obstruction, e.g., a dredge, drill barge, slide, etc., the vessel whose side of the Canal is clear shall have the right-of-way and the other vessel shall hold back and keep out of the way until the privileged vessel is clear.

§ 111.147

Course and speed of privileged vessel.

Where by any of the provisions in this. part one of two vessels is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course and speed. When, from any cause, the latter vessel finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the burdened vessel alone, the privileged vessel also shall take such action as will best aid to avert collision. The vessel having the right-of-way shall in no case take any action that would unnecessarily endanger the burdened vessel; shall give due regard to existing circumstances; and shall proceed with caution so long as danger of collison remains.