Rules and Regulations Relating to the Navigable Waters of the United States with the Exception of Those for the Northern and Northwestern Lakes and Their Connecting and Tributary Waters, which are Printed in the United States Lake Survey Bulletins

ALL HARBORS, RIVERS, AND INLAND WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT THE GREAT LAKES AND THEIR CONNECTING AND TRIBUTARY WATERS, THE RED RIVER OF THE NORTH, AND THE RIVERS EMPTYING INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO AND THEIR TRIBUTARIES.

Display of signals on, and the operation of, all craft and accessories working on wrecks, engaged in dredging, surveying, or other work of improvement, and the use and navigation of the waters in the vicinity-Rules of Department of Commerce, and supplemental regulations of the War Department prescribed November 15, 1919 (E. D. 101107/24).

[The law Sec. 7 of act of Congress approved August 8, 1917.] 1

RULES OF the depARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

[Authority: Sec. 2, act of Congress approved June 7, 1897, as amended by act approved May 25, 1914.]

1. RULE FOR SIGNALS TO BE DISPLAYED BY A TOWING VESSEL WHEN TOWING A SUBMERGED OR PARTLY SUBMERGED OBJECT UPON A HAWSER WHEN NO SIGNALS ARE DISPLAYED UPON THE OBJECT WHICH IS TOWED.

The vessel having the submerged object in tow shall display by day, where they can best be seen, two shapes, one above the other, not less than 6 feet apart, the lower shape to be carried not less than 10 feet above the deck houses. The shapes shall be in the form of a double frustum of a cone, base to base, not less than 2 feet in diameter at the center nor less than 8 inches at the ends of the cones, and to be not less than 4 feet lengthwise from end to end, the upper shape to be painted in alternate horizontal stripes of black and white, 8 inches in width, and the lower shape to be painted a solid bright red.

By night the towing vessel shall display the regular side lights, but in lieu of the regular white towing lights shall display four lights in a vertical position not less than 3 feet nor more than 6 feet apart, the upper and lower of such lights to be white and the two middle lights to be red, all of such lights to be of the same character as is now prescribed for the regular towing lights.

2. RULE FOR STEAMERS, DERRICK BOATS, LIGHTERS, OR OTHER TYPES OF VESSELS MADE FAST ALONGSIDE A WRECK, OR MOORED OVER A WRECK WHICH IS ON THE BOTTOM OR PARTLY SUBMERGED, OR WHICH MAY BE DRIFTING.

Steamers, derrick boats, lighters, or other types of vessels made fast alongside a wreck, or moored over a wreck which is on the bottom or partly submerged, or which may be drifting, shall display by day two shapes of the same character and dimensions and displayed in the same manner as required by the foregoing rule, except that both the shapes shall be painted a solid bright red, but where more than one vessel is working under the above conditions, the shapes need be displayed only from one vessel on each side of the wreck from which it can best be seen from all directions.

By night this situation shall be indicated by the display of a white light from the bow and stern of each outside vessel or lighter not less than 6 feet above

the deck, and in addition thereto shall be displayed in a position where they may best be seen from all directions two red lights carried in a vertical line not less than 3 feet nor more than 6 feet apart, and not less than 15 feet above the deck.

3. RULE FOR DREDGES WHICH ARE HELD IN STATIONARY POSITION BY MOORINGS OR SPUDS.

Dredges which are held in stationary position by moorings or spuds shall display by day two red balls not less than 2 feet in diameter and carried in a vertical line not less than 3 feet nor more than 6 feet apart, and at least 15 feet above the deck house and in such a position where they can best be seen from all directions. By night they shall display a white light at each corner, not less than 6 feet above the deck, and in addition thereto there shall be displayed in a position where they may best be seen from all directions, two red lights carried in a vertical line not less than 3 feet nor more than 6 feet apart, and not less than 15 feet above the deck. When scows are moored alongside a dredge in the foregoing situation they shall display a white light on each outboard corner not less than 6 feet above the deck.

4. RULE FOR SELF-PROPELLING SUCTION DREDGES UNDER WAY WITH THEIR SUCTIONS ON THE BOTTOM.

Self-propelling suction dredges under way with their suction on the bottom shall display by day the same signals as are used to designate any steamer not under control; that is to say, two black balls not less than 2 feet in diameter and carried not less than 15 feet above the deck house, and where they may best be seen from all directions.

By night they shall carry, in addition to the regular running lights, two red lights of the same character as the masthead light, in the same vertical plane and underneath the masthead light, the red lights to be not less than 3 feet nor more than 6 feet apart and the upper red light to be not less than 4 feet and not more than 6 feet below the white masthead light, and on or near the stern two red lights in the same vertical plane not less than 4 feet nor more than 6 feet apart, to show through 4 points of the compass; that is, from right astern to 2 points on each quarter.

5. RULE FOR VESSELS WHICH ARE MOORED OR ANCHORED AND ENGAGED IN LAYING PIPE OR OPERATING ON SUBMARINE CONSTRUCTION OR EXCAVATION.

Vessels which are moored or anchored and engaged in laying pipe or operating on submarine construction or excavation shall display by day, not less than 15 feet above the deck, where they can best be seen from all directions, two balls not less than 2 feet in diameter, in a vertical line not less than 3 feet and not more than 6 feet apart, the upper ball to be painted in alternate black and white vertical stripes 6 inches wide and the lower ball to be painted a solid bright red. By night they shall display three red lights, carried in a vertical line not less than 3 feet nor more than 6 feet apart and not less than 15 feet above the deck, and in such position as may best be seen from all directions.

All the lights required by these special rules for dredges, wrecking boats, lighters, etc., shall be of such size and character as to be visible on a dark night with a clear atmosphere for a distance of at least 2 miles.

SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT.

1. LIGHTS TO BE DISPLAYED ON PIPE LINES.

Pipe lines attached to dredges, and either floating or supported on trestles. shall display by night one row of white lights not less than 8 feet nor more than 12 feet above the water, about equally spaced and in such number as to mark distinctly the entire length and course of the line, the intervals between lights where the line crosses navigable channels to be not more than 30 feet. There shall also be displayed on the shore or discharge end of the line 2 red lights, 3 feet apart, in a vertical line with the lower light at least 8 feet above the water, and if the line is to be opened at night for the passage of vessels, a similar arrangement of lights shall be displayed on each side of the opening. The lights shall be of the same size and character as specified in rule 5, above.

2. PASSING SIGNALS.

Vessels intending to pass dredges or other types of floating plant working in navigable channels, when within a reasonable distance therefrom and not in any case over a mile, shall indicate such intention by blowing the passing signal prescribed in the local pilot rules for vessels under way, which shall be answered in the usual manner from said plant if the channel is clear and the approaching vessel may pass on the course indicated; otherwise the floating plant shall sound the alarm or danger signal and the approaching vessel shall slow down or stop and await further signal from the plant.

When the pipe line from a dredge crosses the channel in such a way that an approaching vessel, owing to excessive draft or for other reasons, can not pass around the pipe line or dredge, a signal shall be given from the vessel by sounding 4 blasts of the whistle, which shall be answered by a like signal from the dredge. The pipe line shall then be opened for the passage of the vessel as soon as practicable; when the line is open, ready for passage, the dredge shall so indicate by sounding the usual passing signal, and the approaching vessel shall promptly pass the dredge.

3. SPEED OF VESSELS PASSING FLOATING PLANT WORKING IN CHANNELS.

Steamers, with or without tows, passing floating plant working in channels, shall reduce their speed sufficiently to insure the safety of both the said plant and themselves, and when passing within 200 feet of the said plant their speed shall not exceed 5 miles per hour. While passing over lines of the said plant, propelling machinery shall be stopped.

4. LIGHT-DRAFT VESSELS PASSING FLOATING PLANT.

Vessels whose draft permits shall keep outside of the buoys marking the ends of mooring lines of floating plant working in channels.

5. PROTECTION OF MARKS PLACED FOR THE GUIDANCE OF FLOATING PLANT.

Breast, stern, and bow anchors of floating plant, working in navigable channels, shall be marked by suitable barrel buoys and vessels shall not run over or destroy such buoys, or stakes, or other marks placed for the guidance of floating plant working in channels. By night approaching vessels shall be

The designation "floating plant" as used herein includes dredges, derrick boats, snag boats, drill boats, pile drivers, maneuver boats, hydraulic graders, and survey boats.

shown the location of adjacent buoys by playing the searchlight from said plant on the buoys until the approaching vessel has passed: Provided, That the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to floating plant working in the following waters of New York Harbor and adjacent waters, namely, the East River, the North River, and the Harlem River.

6. OBSTRUCTION OF CHANNEL BY FLOATING PLANT.

Channels shall not be unnecessarily obstructed by any dredge or other floating plant. While vessels are passing such plant, all lines running therefrom across the channel on the passing side, which may interfere with or obstruct navigation, shall be slacked to the bottom of the channel.

7. ANCHORAGE AND MOVEMENT OF VESSELS.

Vessels shall not anchor on the ranges of stakes or other marks placed for the guidance of floating plant working in channels, nor in such a manner as to obstruct the channels for other vessels.

(NOTE. If it is necessary to prohibit or limit the anchorage or movement of vessels within certain areas in order to facilitate the work of improvement, application should be made through official channels for establishment by the Secretary of War of special or temporary regulations for this purpose.)

8. CLEARING OF CHANNELS.

When special or temporary regulations have not been prescribed and action under these rules and regulations will not afford clear passage, floating plant in narrow channels shall, upon notice, move out of the way of vessels a sufficient distance to allow them a clear passage. Vessels desiring passage shall, however, give the master of the floating plant ample notice in advance of the time they expect to pass.

9. REVOCATION OF CONFLICTING REGULATIONS.

All regulations or parts of regulations in conflict with these regulations are hereby revoked.

THE GREAT LAKES AND THEIR CONNECTING AND TRIBUTARY WATERS AS FAR EAST AS MONTREAL, THE RED RIVER OF THE NORTH, AND THE RIVERS WHOSE WATERS FLOW INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO, AND THEIR TRIBUTARIES.

Display of signals on, and the operation of, all craft and accessories working on wrecks, engaged in dredging, surveying, or other work of improvement, and the use and navigation of the waters in the vicinity-Regulations prescribed November 15, 1919 (E. D. 101107/23).*

[The law-Sec. 7 of an act of Congress approved August 8, 1917.]1

1. RULE FOR SIGNALS TO BE DISPLAYED BY A TOWING VESSEL WHEN TOWING A SUBMERGED OR PARTLY SUBMERGED OBJECT UPON A HAWSER WHEN NO SIGNALS ARE DISPLAYED UPON THE OBJECT WHICH IS TOWED.

The vessel having the submerged object in tow shall display by day, where they can best be seen, two shapes, one above the other, not less than 6 feet

1 See Appendix.

2 The designation "floating plant' as used herein includes dredges, derrick boats, snag boats, drill boats, pile drivers, maneuver boats, hydraulic graders, and survey boats.

apart, the lower shape to be carried not less than 10 feet above the deck houses. The shapes shall be in the form of a double frustum of a cone, base to base, not less than 2 feet in diameter at the center nor less than 8 inches at the ends of the cones, and to be not less than 4 feet lengthwise from end to end, the upper shape to be painted in alternate horizontal stripes of black and white, 8 inches in width, and the lower shape to be painted a solid bright red.

By night the towing vessel shall display the regular side lights, but in lieu of the regular white towing lights, shall display four lights in a vertical position not less than 3 feet nor more than 6 feet apart, the upper and lower of such lights to be white, and the two middle lights to be red, all of such lights to be of the same character as is now prescribed for the regular towing lights.

2. RULE FOR STEAMERS, DERRICK BOATS, LIGHTERS, OR OTHER TYPES OF VESSELS MADE FAST ALONGSIDE A WRECK, OR MOORED OVER A WRECK WHICH IS ON THE BOTTOM OR PARTLY SUBMERGED, OR WHICH MAY BE DRIFTING.

By night this situation shall be indicated by the display of a white light from the bow and stern of each outside vessel or lighter not less than 6 feet above the deck, and in addition thereto there shall be displayed in a position where they may best be seen from all directions two red lights carried in a vertical line not less than 3 feet nor more than 6 feet apart, and not less than 15 feet above the deck.

3. RULE FOR DREDGES WHICH ARE HELD IN STATIONARY POSITION BY MOORINGS OR SPUDS.

Dredges which are held in stationary position by moorings or spuds shall display by day two red balls not less than 2 feet in diameter and carried in a vertical line not less than 3 feet nor more than 6 feet apart, and at least 15 feet above the dock house and in such a position where they can best be seen from all directions. By night they shall display a white light at each corner, not less than 6 feet above the deck, and in addition thereto there shall be displayed in a position where they may best be seen from all directions two red lights carried in a vertical line not less than 3 feet nor more than 6 feet apart, and not less than 15 feet above the deck. When scows are moored alongside a dredge in the foregoing situation they shall display a white light on each outboard corner, not less than 6 feet above the deck.

4. RULE FOR SELF-PROPELLNG SUCTION DREDGES UNDER WAY WITH THEIR SUCTIONS ON THE BOTтом.

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