LAWS CONCERNING SIAMESE AND FOREIGN VESSELS.
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If the master or owner of the vessel has not cut the raft asunder, but it break apart of itself, and then float against a vessel thus lawfully moored, and injure her in any wise, the owner of the raft shall pay the damages.
Again-whoever would float a raft, shall not be allowed to make any rope fast to the cable of a vessel moored in the river. And no large vessel or raft shall be allowed to float up or down with the tide in the night time. Again, if any one would float his raft with the tide, he shall not pass very near the shore, so as to be likely to run against a floating house properly moored, and thus injure it. Damages thus oc- casioned shall be paid by owner of the raft.
Wherever there are no vessels anchored in the river, rafts are allowed to float down in the middle of the stream, and if it be desired to make the raft to the shore, this also may be done. If any raft or boat run against the ropes thus employed, and the boat be capsized, and property damaged, no damages shall be claimed from the owner of the raft thus moored; because rafts are not, as vessels, easily managed. Common sense will teach that it is not suitable to think of passing between a raft and the shore by which it is moored.
Throwing Ballast into the River.
Art. X.-It is forbidden to throw stones, gravel, earth, or any ballast in or near the channel over the bar, where the water is under seven fathoms deep (at low water mark] extending from outside of the bar to any other place within the river Chow Phya. If it be desired to cast out ballast, the Harbour-master, or the officer in charge, shall first point out some place where it will be lawful to throw it: and in that place it may be cast. If the master of the vessel do not observe this law, but violate it by casting ballast at the bar or into the river, he shall be fined the sum of two hundred ticals.
Again-when any one would be employed as a pilot, let him first be examined by the Harbour-master. And if he bear a good examination, he will give him a certificate to this effect. It is forbidden that any one undertake to pilot vessels without such a certificate. [If any one not thus approved, shall conduct a vessel erroneously, and get aground, he shall pay the damages resulting therefrom.] And if any qualified pilot shall pilot a vessel erroneously, and cause damage to the vessel by misconduct or mis- management, he shall be tried, and if found guilty, fined [according to the demerit of the case.]
LAWS CONCERNING SMALL BOATS.
Art. I.-Boats going with the tide shall pass in the midst of the river. Boats going against the tide shall go near the border of the river. In case a boat going with the tide shall pass near the border of the river; or in case a boat going against the tide pass in the midst of the river, thus taking a course contrary to this law, and then come into collision with another, and be capsized, or broken, or property damaged or lost, the boat which went contrary to the law shall pay the full amount of the consequent damages. If the boat damaged be the one which violated the law, she shall claim no damages from the other boat which was going according to law. If the business be such as to make it proper to go with the tide near the shore, let great care be taken by the boat thus passing, that she do not run against a boat that is going against the tide.
Boats passing one another.
Art. II.-In cases when boats going up or down with the tide following each other, and the one behind, being the fleeter, overtake and run against the boat going before, and damage or upset her, or run against a boat that is properly moored, and damage or upset her, the owner of the boat which does such mischief shall pay all damages.
Collision of Boats.
Art. III.-In case the owner of a boat, wishing to move away from her moorings, or wishing to come out of the mouth of a canal, or wishing to come in and moor, or in going meets another boat and endeavors to avoid collision, but is not in time, and consequently strikes against said boat, but not intentionally, and said boat be upset or
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