JUNE 14.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1685

(b.) A steam-vessel under way, but stopped and having no way upon her, shall sound, at intervals of not more than two minutes, two prolonged blasts, with an interval of about one second between them.

(c.) A sailing-vessel under way shall sound, at intervals of not more than one minute, 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, ETC.

Art. 16.—Every vessel shall, in a fog, mist, falling snow, or heavy rainstorms, 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 circumstances 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, as follows, 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 respective courses, pass clear of each other.

• Dutch steam pilot-vessels, when engaged on their station on pilotage duty in fog, mist, falling snow, or heavy rain-storms, are required to make at intervals of two minutes at most one long blast with the siren, followed after one second by a long blast with the steam-whistle, and again after one second by a long blast on the siren. When not engaged on their station on pilotage duty they make the same signals as other steamships.

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