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ARTICLE 2.- When two vessels are meeting, other than as provided for in Article 3, each shall, when it is safe and practicable, keep to that side of the channel which lies on the starboard side of such vessel.
Note.
In the case of a light-draught and a deep-draught vessel meeting, mutual safety may in some circumstances be best secured by each vessel keeping to her port side of the channel. Such action in such circum- stances is intended to come under the operation of the exception provided for by the qualification "when it is safe and practicable ".
ARTICLE 3.-A vessel proceeding against the current when meeting a vessel proceed- ing with the current shall provide for the passing of the other vessel in a locality where such passing is safe, slowing down and acting in accordance with Article 2, or stopping and tying up to, or stopping and lying up against, either bank, as may be necessary to that end.
When it is safe for the other vessel to pass she shall sound three long blasts.
Note. The term "tying up" means that the vessel is made fast to the shore. The term "stopping and lying up against the bank" means that the vessel is as close to the bank as possible and that she is not materially moving over the ground.
ARTICLE 4.A vessel proceeding with the current when meeting a vessel proceeding against the current shall proceed at the lowest speed consistent with her being kept under command and, particularly, shall endeavour to keep back until the other vessel indicates that it is safe to pass by giving three long blasts.
ARTICLE 5.- When two vessels are meeting, the sound signal as provided for in Article 8, indicating the side of the channel they intend to follow, is invariably to be made.
A vessel stopping and lying up against the bank shall also make this signal.
ARTICLE 6. As regards a vessel overtaking another vessel :---
(a.) The overtaking vessel shall sound one long blast, meaning "May I pass?" (b.) The overtaken vessel shall, when it is safe for the other vessel to pass and when it is desired to acquiesce in such passing, signify that acquiescence by sounding three long blasts and shall indicate which side of the channel she intends to follow by means of the sound signal (a) or (b), Article 8. (c) The overtaken vessel, having given the asquiescence signal, shall slow down to the lowest speed consistent with her being kept under com- mand, and the overtaking vessel shall proceed at no greater speed than is needed to affect the passing with safety.
ARTICLE 7. -A vessel proceeding with the current shall by day, carry at the fore- truck one black ball and at night shall exhibit a green light not.less than 6 feet above the mast-head light.
ARTICLE 8.--The following sound signals are to be used when the meaning attached to them is required to be conveyed:
(a.) One short blast means I am keeping to that side of the channel which
lies on my starboard hand."
(b.) Two short blasts mean I am keeping to that side of the channel which lies
on my port hand.”
(e.) Three short blasts mean "My engines are going full speed astern."
(d.) Five or more short blasts mean "Keep back, danger, you cannot pass." (e.) One long blast means, when made by a vessel having the right of way, "I am
proceeding," and when made by an overtaking vessel," "May I pass? (f.) Three long blasts mean
Come on, you can pass."
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