speed astern."
Question. Do the signals in the preceding question also apply
to a motor boat approaching a steam vessel?
Answer. They do.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS. 171
Question. To which side of a fairway must a boat ordinarily
be kept?
Answer. In a narrow channel every boat under power or
oars shall, when it is safe or practicable, keep to that side of
the fairway or mid-channel which lies on the starboard side of
such boat.
Question. What signal is given on nearing a short turn or
bend?
Answer. A long blast on the whistle.
Question. Suppose a long blast is answered by a similar blast
from the far side of a bend, what should be done?
Answer. The usual signals for meeting and passing should
then be given by both boats.
Question. When leaving the side of a long dock or proceed-
ing out of a slip, what signal shall a power boat give?
Answer. It shall give the same signal as in the case of ves-
sels meeting at a bend, but immediately after clearing the dock
or slip, so as to be fully in sight, it shall be governed by the
steering and sailing rules.
Question. When two power boats are meeting end on, how
does each steersman alter his course?
Answer. Each puts his helm to port so as to pass on the port
side of the other.
Question. How is this altering of the course indicated?
Answer. Each steersman blows one short blast on the whistle.
Question. If, under the circumstances, the other blows one
blast before you do, what should you do?
Answer. I would answer with one blast and put my helm to
port.
Question. If you find it is not possible for her to pass on
your port side, what should you do?
Answer. I should sound several short and rapid blasts, not
less than four, of the whistle, and if the boats have approached
each other within a short distance, I should reduce speed to
bare steerageway, or if necessary stop or reverse.
Question. You are in charge of a power boat running in the
same direction as a power boat ahead and wish to pass on her
starboard side, what should you do?
Answer. I would give one short blast of the whistle, and, if
she answered with one short blast, I would port the helm and
pass on her starboard side.
Question. Suppose you wish to pass on her port side?
172 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS.
Answer. I would give two short blasts, and, if she an-
swered with two short blasts, I would starboard the helm and
pass on her port side.
Question. Suppose in either case she gave several short
blasts in answer, not less than four, what would you under-
stand?
Answer. That she did not consider it safe for ine to pass
at that point.
Question. How long can she keep you trailing behind her?
Answer. Only so long as there is danger in passing, as in a
narrow or obstructed channel or fairway. When there is suffi-
cient room she must indicate on which side I may pass.
, Question. What are cross signals?
Answer. Answering one blast with two, or two blasts with
one.
Question. Are they ever permissible?
Answer. No.
Question. What should you do in case another boat gives you
a cross signal on meeting?
Answer. I should give several short and rapid blasts, not less
than four, and if necessary stop and reverse.
Question. You are in charge of a power boat, a steam vessel
is approaching on your port bow so as to involve risk of col-
lision, which boat has the right of way and what should you do?
Answer. My boat has the right of way, and I would hold my
course and speed.
Question. Suppose the other boat was on your starboard bow,
what would you do?
Answer. The other boat would have the right of way, and I
would reduce speed and go under her stern, or stop or reverse.
Question. Suppose the boat is overhauling you anywhere from
two points abaft your beam to astern ?
Answer. I would have the right of way and would hold my
course and speed.
Question. Suppose it is a sailing vessel on your port bow,
what would you do?
Answer. She would have the right of way, and I would alter
my course to clear her or stop or reverse.
Question. Suppose a sailing vessel was coming up anywhere
on your starboard quarter, close-hauled and on the starboard
tack, which would have the right of way?
Answer. I would have the right of way.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS. 173
Question. What is meant- by close-hauled?
Answer. A vessel or boat is close-hauled when she is sailing
as close as possible to the wind.
Question. What is meant by running free?
Answer. A boat is running free when she is able to lay her
course with the sheets eased off.
Question. When are you justified in disregarding the rules of
the road?
Answer. When the dangers of navigation, and collision, or
any special circumstances may render a departure from the
rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger.
Question. What light would you use as an anchor light for a
boat?
Answer. An ordinary hand lantern showing a white light.
MOTOR-BOAT LAWS.
Question. Under the law, what do the words " motor boat "
mean?
Answer. They mean every vessel propelled by machinery and
not more than 65 feet in length, except tugboats and towboats
propelled by steam.
Question. How shall the length of a motor boat be determined?
Answer. By measuring from end to end over the deck, exclud-
ing sheer.
Question. Into how many classes are motor boats divided?
Answer. Into three classes.
Question. What motor boats are included in class 1?
. Answer. Those less than 26 feet in length.
Question. What motor boats are included in class 2?
Answer. Those 26 feet or over and less than 40 feet in length?
Question. What motor boats are included in class 37
Answer. Those of 40 feet or over and not more than 65 feet in
length.
Question. What lights shall every motor boat of class 1 carry
when underway from sunset to sunrise?
Answer. (1) A white light aft to show all around the hori-
zon. (2) A combined lantern in the fore part of the vessel, and
lower than the white light aft, showing green to starboard and
red to port, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to
2 points abaft the beam on their respective sides.
Question. What lights shall motor boats of classes 2 ftnd 3
carry when under way from sunset to sunrise? .'
174 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS.
Answer. (1) A bright white light, in the fore part of the ves-
sel as near the stem as practicable, 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 boat, namely, from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam
on either side.
(2) A white light aft to show all around the horizon.
(3) 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 throw the light from right
ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on the starboard side. 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 throw the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft
the beam on the port side.
Question. What shall be the dimension of the glass or lens
for the white light in the fore part of a motor boat of class 2?
Answer. Not less than 19 square inches.
Question. What shall be the dimension of the glass or lens
for the white light in the fore part of a motor boat of class 3?
Answer. Not less than 31 square inches.
Question. What shall be the dimension of the glass or lens
for the side lights of a motor boat of class 2?
Answer. Not less than 16 square inches.
Question. What shall be the dimension of the glass or lens
for the side lights of a motor boat of class 3?
Answer. Not less than 25 square inches.
Question. What shall be the character of the glass or lens
for lights on motor boats of classes 2 and 3 ?
Answer. They shall be fresnel or fluted glass.
Question. With what shall the side lights of classes 2 and 3
be fitted?
Answer. They shall be fitted with inboard screens of suffi-
cient height and so set as to prevent these lights from being
seen across the bow.
Question. What is the length of the side-light screens for
boats of class 2?
Answer. Not less than 18 inches.
Question. What is the length of the side-light screens for
boats of class 3?
Answer. Not less than 24 inches.
Question. What lights shall motor boats carry when pro-
pelled by sail and machinery, or by sail alone?
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS. 175
Answer. They shall carry the colored side lights suitably
screened, but not the white lights.
Question. With what sound-producing appliance shall motor
boats be provided?
Answer. With a whistle or other sound-producing mechanical
appliance capable of producing a blast of two seconds or more
in duration.
Question. What shall be deemed to be a prolonged blast
within the meaning of the motor-boat law?
Answer. A blast of at least two seconds.
Question. What additional sound-producing appliances shall
every motor boat of class 2 or 3 carry ?
Answer. An efficient foghorn and an efficient bell.
Question. What shall be the size of the bell on class 3 motor
boats?
Answer. It shall be not less than 8 inches across the mouth.
Question. What life-saving appliances shall every motor boat
and every vessel propelled by machinery other than by steam,
more than 65 feet in length, carry?
Answer. Either life preservers, or life belts, or buoyant cush-
ions, or ring buoys, or other device sufficient to sustain afloat
every person on board and so placed as to be readily accessible.
Question. What additional life-saving appliances shall be pro-
vided on all motor boats carrying passengers for hire?
Answer. They shall carry one life preserver for every pas-
senger carried.
Question. What is required of the person operating a motor
boat carrying passengers for hire?
Answer. He is required to be duly licensed for such service
by the local board of inspectors.
Question. What are the requirements of law regarding fire-
extinguishing appliances on motor boats?
Answer. Every motor boat, and also every vessel propelled
by machinery other than by steam more than 65 feet in length,
shall carry ready for immediate use the means of promptly
and effectually extinguishing burning gasoline.
Question. What penalty may be imposed by proper authority
for violation of any of the motor-boat laws?
Answer. A fine not exceeding $100.
Question. What light shall a vessel under 150 feet in length
carry when at anchor?
Answer. It shall carry forward, where it can best be seen,
but at a height not exceeding 20 feet above the hull, a white
176 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS.
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 1 mile.
Question. Are motor boats required to carry lights between
the hours of sunrise and sunset?
Answer. No.
Question. What should be the position of the after light rela-
tive to the forward light in motor boats?
Answer. The after light should be higher and so placed as
to form a range with the forward light arid should be clear
of house awnings and other obstructions.
Question. Does the law specify the size of the white light
to be carried on motor boats of class 1?
Answer. No.
Question. What sound-producing appliance for motor boats
has been held to be in compliance with the law?
Answer. A mouth whistle capable of producing a blast of
two seconds or more in duration which can be heard for at
least one-half a mile.
Question. Can foghorns take the place of whistles on motor
boats of classes 2 and 3?
Answer. No.
Question. With what life-saving appliances shall every motor
boat not carrying passengers for hire be provided?
Answer. With life preservers or life belts or buoyant cushions
or ring buoys, or other device, sufficient to sustain afloat every
person on board. This includes members of the crew, children,
and babies.
Question. Whose approval shall life-saving appliances have?
Answer. The board of supervising inspectors of the Steam-
boat-Inspection Service.
Question. What qualities shall life preservers and buoyant
cushions possess?
Answer. They shall be capable of sustaining afloat for a con-
tinuous period of 24 hours an attached weight so arranged that
whether the said weight be submerged or not there shall be' a
direct downward gravitation pull upon such life preserver or
cushion of at least 20 pounds. If a buoyant cushion is furnished
for more than one person its capacity must be proportionately
greater.
Question. Is a life preserver or buoyant cushion stuffed or
filled with granulated cork or other loose granulated material
permitted?
INSTRUCTIONS FOE COAST GUARD STATIONS. 177
Answer. No.
Question. Are pneumatic life preservers or cushions per-
mitted?
Answer. No.
Question. What substitutes for life preservers, life belts, etc.,
may be used?
Answer. Wooden life floats, provided their dimensions shall
not be less than 4 feet in length, 14 inches in breadth, 2 inches
in thickness, and of well-seasoned white pine, or of any other
wood not exceeding white pine in weight per cubic foot.
Question. Would a motor boat hired at a launch livery and
carrying a person in addition, to the person operating it be con-
sidered as carrying passengers for hire?
Answer. Yes.
Question. Are there any specific means prescribed for
promptly extinguishing burning gasoline?
Answer. No.
Question. What materials will serve the purpose of extin-
guishing burning gasoline?
Answer. Besides the usual extinguishers and suitable chemi-
cals, salt or sand in sufficient quantities will serve the purpose
in some cases. The salt or sand (preferably the two mixed)
should be kept in a pail or receptacle.
Question. What motor boats are subject to inspection by the
Steamboat-Inspection Service?
Answer. Motor boats propelled otherwise than by steam of 15
gross tons, carrying freight or/ passengers for hire but not
engaged in fishing as a regular business.
Question. What motor boats must be documented?
Answer. All motor boats of over 5 net tons when engaged in
trade must be documented ; that is to say, must be licensed by
collectors of customs.
Question. Are vessels under 5 net tons documented?
Answer. They are not documented in any case.
Question. What distinction is there- between the license of
a vessel and the license of a motor-boat operator?
Answer. The license of a vessel obtained from a collector of
customs (designated a document) is additional to and must not
be confounded with the license required for the operator of a
motor boat.
Question. How must a documented vessel be marked?
3407921 12
178 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS.
Answer. She must have the name and home port on the stern
and the name on each bow. The tonnage mark and official
number should be deeply carved or otherwise permanently
marked on her main beam or other approved place.
Question. Does the law require that the name of an undocu-
mented motor boat be displayed?
Answer. No; but the Department of Commerce recommends
that it be.
Question. Are motor boats required to have copies of pilot
rules on board?
Answer. Yes; they are required to have on board two copies
of the pilot rules to be observed by them.
Question. What equipment is required for motor boats of
class 1 not carrying passengers for hire?
Answer. Combination light forward, white light aft, whistle,
life preserver or life-saving devices for each person on board,
means for extinguishing burning gasoline, two copies of pilot
rules.
Question. What equipment is required for motor boats of
class 1 carrying passengers for hire?
Answer. Combination light forward, white light aft, whistle,
life preserver or life-saving device for each person on board,
licensed operator, means for extinguishing burning gasoline,
two copies of pilot rules.
Question. What equipment is required for motor boats of
class 2 not carrying passengers for hire?
Answer. White lights forward and aft and colored side
lights, whistle, bell, foghorn, life preserver or life-saving de-
vice for each person on board, means for extinguishing burning
gasoline, two copies of pilot rules.
Question. What equipment is required for motor boats of
class 2 carrying passengers for hire?
Answer. The same equipment as when not carrying passen-
gers for hire, with the addition of a licensed operator.
Question. What equipment is required for motor boats of
class 3 not carrying passengers for hire?
Answer. The same as required for class 2 when not carrying
passengers for hire.
Question. What equipment is required for motor boats of
class 3 carrying passengers for hire?
Answer. The same as is required for motor boats of class 2
carrying passengers for hire.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS. 179
Question. What is the duration of the license granted the
operator of a motor boat?
Answer. Five years.
Question. What equipment is required for a motor boat after
sunset when not being navigated?
Answer. No equipment, except an anchor light.
CUSTOMS AND NAVIGATION LAWS.
Question. What powers have officers in charge of Coast Guard
stations and houses of refuge as customs officers?
Answer. They have the powers of inspectors of customs.
Question. Briefly, what are the powers of inspectors of cus-
toms?
Answer, (a) To go on board of vessels in any port of the
United States or within 4 leagues of the coast thereof, if bound
to the United States ; to search the same and any person, trunk,
or envelope on board, and to this end to hail or stop such vessel
and use all necessary force to compel compliance.
(&) If it shall appear that a violation of law is committed
whereby the vessel or the merchandise on board is liable to for-
feiture, to seize the same. They may also arrest any person
engaged in such violation.
Question. When are officers in charge of stations expected to
use these powers?
Answer. Whenever the occasion demands. They are not, how-
ever, expected to board and examine vessels unless they have
reason to believe such vessels are engaged in a violation of the
customs or navigation laws.
Question. Who may make searches and seizures?
Answer. Officers of the customs or of the Coast Guard cutters,
or authorized agents of the Treasury Department, or other per-
sons specifically appointed for the purpose in writing by a col-
lector of customs.
Question. What flag should a station boat on boarding duty
carry?
Answer. A station boat on boarding duty in the enforcement
of the customs or navigation laws shall carry the Coast Guard
ensign at all times when it can be seen.
Question. What is the duty of an officer in charge of a station
in regard to smuggling?
Answer. To take such measures as may be within his power
to prevent smuggling, and upon detection of any violation of the
180 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS.
customs revenue laws to forthwith report the same to the col-
lector of the district and to seize merchandise in the act of being
smuggled or which has been smuggled.
Question. May an officer in charge of a station search a
vehicle on which he has reason to believe there is merchandise
subject to duty or which shall have been introduced into the
United States contrary to law?
Answer. Yes ; he may stop, search; and examine the same and
may search any trunk or envelope *n which he has reasonable
cause to suspect there is merchandise which was imported con-
trary to law, and such merchandise will be subject to seizure.
Question. What constitutes a valid seizure?
Answer. To constitute a valid seizure there must be open vis-
ible possession claimed and authority exercised by the seizing
officer. The parties must understand that they are dispossessed
and that they are no longer at liberty to exercise any control
over the property.
Question. Is it necessary that a superior physical force be
employed ?
Answer. It is not necessary if there is a voluntary acqui-
escence in the seizure and dispossession.
Question. Suppose there is voluntary abandonment of the
seizure by the seizing officer?
Answer. In that case the seizure would lose its validity.
Question. What shall be done with seized goods?
Answer. Merchandise or property of any kind seized shall be
placed and remain in the custody of the collector of the district
in which the seizure is made, to await disposition according to
law.
Question. Must a seizing officer make known his character?
Answer. Every officer or other person authorized to make
searches and seizures shall make known, upon being questioned,
his character as an officer or agent of the customs or Govern-
ment.
Question. Has he authority to require other persons to assist
him?
Answer. Yes; he may require any person within' the distance
of 3 miles to assist him in making any arrest, search, or seizure.
Question. Suppose such person shall without reasonable ex-
cuse neglect or refuse to assist the officer upon proper demand?
Answer. He will be guilty of a misdemeanor and be subject
to a fine of not more than $200 nor less than $5,
j
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS. 181
Question. What is the penalty for resisting a revenue officer
in the discharge of his duties or for rescuing or destroying
seized property?
Answer. A fine of not more than $2,000 or imprisonment for
not more than one year.
Question. May an officer in charge of a station enter build-
ings' to make search or seizure?
:- Answer. He, and the persons assisting him, may if deemed
necessary enter into or upon or pass over the lands, inclosures,
and buildings, other than the dwelling house, of any person,
but he should, however, when practicable, first obtain a search
warrant for the purpose, and always before searching a dwell-
ing house.
Question. What is necessary before seizure is made?
Answer. That there shall be reasonable cause for it.
Question. How shall the term " smuggling" be construed?
Answer. It shall be construed to mean the act, \vith intent
to defraud, of bringing into, or attempting to bring into, the
United States dutiable articles without passing the same or the
package containing the same through the custom house or sub-
mitting them to the officers of the revenue for examination.
Question. Are officers of the customs entitled to a fee as in-
former ?
Answer. No, They are prohibited from either directly or in-
directly receiving, accepting, . or contracting for any portion of
such fee,
Question. Under what penalty?
Answer. They are liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to
imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, and will be
thereafter ineligible to any office of honor, trust, or emolument
under the Government.
Question. What is the penalty for bribing or attempting to
bribe a revenue officer or employee?
Answer. A fine not exceeding $2,000 or imprisonment at hard
labor for not more than one year, or both.
Question. What is the penalty for assuming to be a revenue
officer?
Answer. A fine of not more than $500 and imprisonment for
not more than two years.
Question. What is the duty of the officer in charge with re-
gard to vessels wrecked on the coast within the limits of his
station?
182 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GTTARD STATIONS.
Answer. To promptly notify the nearest collector or deputy
collector of customs of the shipwreck or of any merchandise
presumably of foreign origin cast ashore from the wrecks or
forming the cargo of vessels stranded or driven ashore by
stress of w r eather.
Question. What else?
Answer. If the merchandise is presumably of foreign origin,
he should exercise supervision over it until a regular customs
officer arrives to take necessary action toward forwarding it to
its destination or to the nearest port of entry that may be de-
termined upon by the owner or underwriters.
Question. Suppose the merchandise or Cargo is not of foreign
origin ?
Answer. He should exercise supervision over it until the
owner or underwriters have been consulted as to its disposition.
Question. What is the ordinary presumption regarding dere-
lict or wrecked merchandise?
Answer. Merchandise picked up at sea derelict or taken from
a wreck is prima facie dutiable, and should be so regarded until
the matter is passed upon by the proper customs officers, whether
it is claimed to be of American origin or not.
Question. What rights have salvors in such goods?
Answer. They have an uncertain interest in them depending
upon the decree of a competent tribunal. They have also a