3010
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 67

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 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 mid-channel 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.

Art. 27.—In obeying and construing these rules, due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision, and to any special circumstances which may render a departure from the above rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger.

Sound Signals for Vessels in Sight of one another.

Art. 28.—The words “short blast” used in this article shall mean a blast of about one second’s duration.

When vessels are in sight of one another, a steam-vessel under way, in taking any course authorized or required by these rules, shall indicate that course by the following signals on her whistle or siren, viz. :

One short blast to mean, “I am directing my course to starboard.”

Two short blasts to mean, “I am directing my course to port.”

Three short blasts to mean, “My engines are going full speed astern.”

No Vessel under any Circumstances to neglect Proper Precautions.

Art. 29.—Nothing in these rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner or master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to carry lights or signals, or of any neglect to keep a proper look-out, or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case.

Reservation of Rules for Harbours and Inland Navigation.

Art. 30.—Nothing in these rules shall interfere with the operation of a special rule, duly made by local authority, relative to the navigation of any harbour, river, or inland waters.

DISTRESS-SIGNALS.

Art. 31.—When a vessel is in distress and requires assistance from other vessels or from the shore, the following shall be the signals to be used or displayed by her, either together or separately, viz. :

In the daytime—

1. A gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute ;

2. The International Code signal of distress indicated by N.C. ;

†3. The distant signal, consisting of a square flag, having either above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball ;

4. A continuous sounding with any fog-signal apparatus.

*If a master of a vessel uses or displays, or causes or permits any person under his authority to use or display, any of those signals of distress, except in the case of a vessel being in distress, he shall be liable to pay compensation for any labour undertaken, risk incurred, or loss sustained in consequence of that signal having been supposed to be a signal of distress ; and that compensation may, without prejudice to any other remedy, be recovered in the same manner in which salvage is recoverable. (Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, section 434 (2).)

† A further distress-signal is provided in the International Code of Signals. It is a distant signal consisting of a cone, point upwards, having either above it or below it a ball, or anything resembling a ball. This signal has not been sanctioned by Order in Council under the provisions of section 434 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.