JUNE 14.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1681

(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 the water, shall not carry the sidelights, 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 vessel 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 sidelights 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:

(1.) Steam-vessels of less than 40 tons shall carry—

(a.) In the fore part of the vessel, or on or in front of the funnel, where it can best be seen, and at a height above the gunwale of not less than 9 ft., a bright white light constructed and fixed as prescribed in Article 2 (a), and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least two miles:

(b.) Green and red sidelights constructed and fixed as prescribed in Article 2 (b) and (c), and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least one mile, or a combined lantern showing a green light and a red light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on their respective sides. Such lantern shall be carried not less than 3 ft. below the white light.

(2.) Small steamboats, such as are carried by seagoing vessels, may carry the white light at a less height than 9 ft. above the gunwale, but it shall be carried above the combined lantern mentioned in subdivision 1 (b).

(3.) Vessels under oars or sails, of less than 20 tons, shall have ready at hand a lantern with a green glass on one side and a red glass on the other, which, on the approach of or to other vessels, shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision, so that the green light shall not be seen on the port side nor the red light on the starboard side.

(4.) Rowing-boats, whether under oars or sail, shall have ready at hand a lantern showing a white light, which shall be temporarily exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.

The vessels referred to in this article shall not be obliged to carry the lights prescribed by Article 4 (a), and Article 11, last paragraph.