JUNE 7.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1475

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.) A vessel when at anchor shall, at intervals
of not more than one minute, ring the
bell rapidly for about five seconds.
(e.) A vessel when towing, a vessel employed in
laying or in picking up a telegraph cable,
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 manoeuvre as required by
these rules, shall, instead of the signals
prescribed in subdivisions (a) and (c) of
this article, at intervals of not more than
two minutes, sound three blasts in succession—viz., one prolonged blast followed
by two short blasts. A vessel towed may
give this signal, and she shall not give any
other.
Sailing-vessels and boats of less than 20 tons gross
tonnage shall not be obliged to give the above-
mentioned signals; but, if they do not, they shall
make some other efficient sound-signal at intervals
of not more than one minute.

Speed of Ships to be Moderate in Fog, &c.
Art. 16. Every vessel shall, in a fog, mist, falling
snow, or heavy rain-storms, go at a moderate speed,
having careful regard to the existing circumstances
and conditions.
A steam-vessel hearing, apparently forward of
her beam, the fog-signal of a vessel the position of
which is not ascertained, shall, so far as the circum-
stances of the case admit, stop her engines, and then
navigate with caution until danger of collision is
over.
STEERING AND SAILING RULES.
Preliminary.—Risk of Collision.
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.
Art. 17. 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, viz.:—
(a.) A vessel which is running free shall keep
out of the way of a vessel which is close-
hauled.
(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
windward shall keep out of the way of
the vessel which is to leeward.
(e.) A vessel which has the wind aft shall keep
out of the way of the other vessel.
Art. 18. When two steam-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.
This article only applies to cases where 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 vessels which must, if both keep on their re-
spective courses, pass clear of each other.
The only cases to which it does apply are when
each of the two 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 the side-lights 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.
Art. 19. When two steam-vessels are crossing so
as to involve risk of collision the vessel which has the
other on her own starboard side shall keep out of
the way of the other.
Art. 20. When a steam-vessel and a sailing-vessel
are proceeding in such directions as to involve risk
of collision, the steam-vessel shall keep out of the
way of the sailing-vessel.
Art. 21. Where by any of these rules one of two
vessels is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep
her course and speed.
NOTE.—When, in consequence of thick weather or
other causes, such vessel finds herself so close that
collision cannot be avoided by the action of the
giving-way vessel alone, she also shall take such action
as will best aid to avert collision. (See Articles 27
and 29.)
Art. 22. Every vessel which is directed by these
rules to keep out of the way of another vessel shall,
if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing
ahead of the other.
Art. 23. Every steam-vessel which is directed by
these rules to keep out of the way of another vessel
shall, on approaching her, if necessary, slacken her
speed, or stop, or reverse.
Art. 24. Notwithstanding anything contained in
these rules, every vessel overtaking any other shall
keep out of the way of the overtaken vessel.
Every vessel coming up with another vessel from
any direction more than two points abaft her beam
--i.e., in such a position with reference to the vessel
which she is overtaking that at night she would be
unable to see either of that vessel's side-lights--shall
be deemed to be an overtaking vessel; and no sub-
sequent alteration of the bearing between the two
vessels shall make the overtaking vessel a crossing
vessel within the meaning of these rules, or relieve
her of the duty of keeping clear of the overtaken
vessel until she is finally past and clear.
As by day the overtaking vessel cannot always
know with certainty whether she is forward of or
abaft this direction from the other vessel, she should,
if in doubt, assume that she is an overtaking vessel
and keep out of the way.
Art. 25. In narrow channels every steam-vessel
shall, when it is safe and practicable, keep to that
side of the fairway or midchannel which lies on the
starboard side of such vessel.
Art. 26. Sailing-vessels under way shall keep out
of the way of sailing-vessels or boats fishing with
nets, or lines, or trawls. This rule shall not give to
any vessel or boat engaged in fishing the right of
obstructing a fairway used by vessels other than
fishing vessels or boats.