Aug. 2.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3087

APPENDIX E.

REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA.
(Order in Council of the 27th November, 1896.)

SCHEDULE I.

Preliminary.

These rules shall be followed by all vessels upon the high seas, and in all waters connected therewith navigable by sea-going vessels.

In the following rules every steam-vessel which is under sail and not under steam is to be considered a sailing-vessel, and every vessel under steam, whether under sail or not, is to be considered a steam-vessel.

The word “steam-vessel” shall include any vessel propelled by machinery.

A vessel is “under way” within the meaning of these rules when she is not at anchor or made fast to the shore or aground.

Rules concerning Lights, &c.

The word “visible” in these rules, when applied to lights, shall mean visible on a dark night with a clear atmosphere.

Art. 1. The rules concerning lights shall be complied with in all weathers from sunset to sunrise, and during such time no other lights which may be mistaken for the prescribed lights shall be exhibited.

Art. 2. A steam-vessel when under way shall carry—

(a.) On or in front of the foremast, or if a vessel without a foremast, then in the fore part of the vessel, at a height above the hull of not less than 20 ft., and if the breadth of the vessel exceeds 20 ft., then at a height above the hull not less than such breadth, so, however, that the light need not be carried at a greater height above the hull than 40 ft., a bright white light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of twenty points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light ten points on each side of the vessel—viz., from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on either side—and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least five miles.

(b.) On the starboard side a green light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of ten points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the starboard side, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least two miles.

(c.) On the port side a red light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of ten points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the port side, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least two miles.

(d.) The said green and red side-lights shall be fitted with inboard screens projecting at least 3 ft. forward from the light, so as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow.

(e.) A steam-vessel when under way may carry an additional white light similar in construction to the lights mentioned in subdivision (a). These two lights shall be so placed in line with the keel that one shall be at least 15 ft. higher than the other, and in such a position with reference to each other that the lower light shall be forward of the upper one. The vertical distance between these lights shall be less than the horizontal distance.

Art. 3. A steam-vessel when towing another vessel shall, in addition to her side-lights, carry two bright white lights in a vertical line one over the other, not less than 6 ft. apart, and, when towing more than one vessel, shall carry an additional bright white light 6 ft. above or below such lights, if the length of the tow, measuring from the stern of the towing-vessel to the stern of the last vessel towed, exceeds 600 ft. Each of these lights shall be of the same construction and character, and shall be carried in the same position, as the white light mentioned in Article 2 (a), except the additional light, which may be carried at a height of not less than 14 ft. above the hull.

Such steam-vessel may carry a small white light abaft the funnel or aftermast for the vessel towed to steer by, but such light shall not be visible forward of the beam.

Art. 4. (a.) A vessel which from any accident is not under command shall carry at the same height as the white light mentioned in Article 2 (a), where they can best be seen, and, if a steam-vessel, in lieu of that light, two red lights in a vertical line one over the other, not less than 6 ft. apart, and of such a character as to be visible all round the horizon at a distance of at least two miles; and shall by day carry in a vertical line one over the other, not less than 6 ft. apart, where they can best be seen, two black balls or shapes, each 2 ft. in diameter.

(b.) A vessel employed in laying or in picking up a telegraph cable shall carry in the same position as the white light mentioned in Article 2 (a), and, if a steam-vessel, in lieu of that light, three lights in a vertical line one over the other, not less than 6 ft. apart. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red, and the middle light shall be white, and they shall be of such a character as to be visible all round the horizon at a distance of at least two miles. By day she shall carry in a vertical line one over the other, not less than 6 ft. apart, where they can best be seen, three shapes not less than 2 ft. in diameter, of which the highest and lowest shall be globular in shape and red in colour, and the middle one diamond in shape and white.

(c.) The vessels referred to in this article, when not making way through water, shall not carry the side-lights, but when making way shall carry them.

(d.) The lights and shapes required to be shown by this article are to be taken by other vessels as signals that the vessels showing them is not under command, and cannot therefore get out of the way.

These signals are not signals of vessels in distress and requiring assistance. Such signals are contained in Article 31.

Art. 5. A sailing-vessel under way, and any vessel being towed, shall carry the same lights as are prescribed by Article 2 for a steam-vessel under way, with the exception of the white lights mentioned therein, which they shall never carry.

Art. 6. Whenever, as in the case of small vessels under way during bad weather, the green and red side-lights cannot be fixed, these lights shall be kept at hand lighted and ready for 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 two points 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 colour of the light they respectively contain, and shall be provided with proper screens.

Art. 7. Steam vessels of less than 40 and vessels under oars or sails of less than 20 tons gross tonnage respectively, and rowing-boats, when under way, shall not be obliged to carry the lights mentioned in Article 2 (a), (b), and (c), but if they do not carry them they shall be provided with the following lights:—