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Steering and Sailing Rules

When the Red, and not the Green light, is seen;

'A' sees a Red light ahead or on the bow: 'A' knows that either,

1. a vessel is approaching her on her port bow, as B;

or
2. a vessel is crossing in some direction to port, as D D D.

If A sees a White Mast-head Light above the Red Light, A knows that the vessel is a steam vessel, and is either approaching her in the same direction as B, or is crossing to port in some direction, as D D D.

Turn—When the Green and not the Red Light is seen:

'A' sees a Green Light ahead or on the bow:—'A' knows that either,

1. a vessel is approaching her on her starboard bow, as B;

or
2. a vessel is crossing in some direction to starboard, as D D D.

If A sees a White Mast-head Light above the Green Light, A knows that the vessel is a steam vessel, and is either approaching her in the same direction as B, or is crossing to starboard in some direction, as D D D.

The following are the Enactments having reference to the above Regulations:

"THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ACT, 1854."

(17 & 18 Vict. Cap. 104.)

LIGHTS AND FOG SIGNALS, AND MEETING AND PASSING.

CXXCV. The following Rules shall be observed with regard to Lights and Fog Signals:— (That is to say,)

(1.) The Admiralty shall from time to time make Regulations requiring the exhibition of such Lights, by such Classes of Ships, whether steam or sailing Ships, within such places and under such circumstances as they think fit, and may from time to time revoke, alter, or vary the same.

(2.) The Admiralty may, if they think fit, make Regulations requiring the use of such Fog Signals, by such Classes of Ships, whether steam or sailing ships, within such places and under such circumstances as they think fit, and may from time to time revoke, alter, or vary the same.

(3.) All Regulations made in pursuance of this Section shall be published in the London Gazette, and shall come into operation on a day to be named in the Gazette in which they are published, and the Admiralty shall cause all such Regulations to be printed, and shall furnish a copy thereof to any Owner or Master of a Ship who applies for the same, and production of the Gazette containing such Regulations shall be sufficient evidence of the due making and purport thereof.

(4.) All Owners and Masters shall be bound to take notice of the same, and shall, so long as the same continue in force, exhibit such Lights, and use such Fog Signals, at such times, within such places, in such manner, and under such circumstances as are enjoined by such Regulations, and shall not exhibit any other Lights or use any other Fog Signals, and in case of default the Master or the Owner of the Ship, if it appears that he was in fault, shall for each occasion upon which such Regulations are infringed incur a penalty not exceeding Twenty Pounds.

(Rules as to Ships meeting each other.)

CCXCVI. Whenever any Ship, whether a Steam or Sailing Ship, proceeding in one direction, meets another Ship, whether a Steam or Sailing Ship, proceeding in another direction, so that if both Ships were to continue their respective courses they would pass so near as to involve any risk of a collision, the helms of both Ships shall be put to Port so as to pass on the Port side of each other; and this Rule shall be obeyed by all Steam Ships and by all Sailing Ships whether on the Port or Starboard Tack, and whether close-hauled or not, unless the circumstances of the case are such as to render a departure from the Rule necessary in order to avoid immediate danger, and subject also to the proviso that due regard shall be had to the Dangers of Navigation, and, as regards Sailing Ships on the Starboard Tack close-hauled, to the keeping such Ships under command.

(Rule for Steamers in narrow Channels.)

CCXCVII. Every Steam Ship, when navigating any narrow Channel, shall whenever it is safe and practicable, keep to that side of the Fairway or mid-channel which lies on the Starboard side of such Steam Ship.