674452-1884-Government-Notification-No-388 — Page 4

856 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 1ST NOVEMBER, 1884.

In fog, mist or falling snow, whether by day or night, the signals described in this Article shall be used as follows; that is to say,—

(a.) A steam ship under way shall make with her steam whistle, or other steam sound signal,

at intervals of not more than two minutes, a prolonged blast.

(b.) A sailing ship under way shall make with her fog horn, at intervals of not more than two minutes, 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. (c.) A steam ship and a sailing ship, when not under way, shall at intervals of not more

than two minutes ring the bell.

Speed of Ships to be moderate in Fog, &c.

Art. 13. Every ship, whether a sailing ship or steam ship, shall in a fog, mist, or falling snow, go at a moderate speed.

Steering and Sailing Rules.

Art. 14. When two sailing ships 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 ship which is running free shall keep out of the way of a ship which is close-hauled. (b.) A ship which is close-bauled on the port tack shall keep out of the way of a ship which

is close-hauled on the starboard tack.

(c.) When both are running free with the wind on different sides, the ship 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 ship which is to

windward shall keep out of the way of the ship which is to lecward.

(e.) A ship which has the wind aft shall keep out of the way of the other ship.

Art. 15. If two ships under steam 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 ships are meeting end on, or nearly end on, in such a manner as to involve risk of collision, and does not apply to two ships which must, if both keep on their respective courses, pass clear of each other.

The only cases to which it does apply are, when each of the two ships is end on, or nearly end on, to the other; in other words, to cases in which, by day, each ship sces the masts of the other in a line, or nearly in a line, with her own; and by night, to cases in which each ship is in such a position as to see both the side lights of the other.

It does not apply, by day, to cases in which a ship sees another ahead crossing her own course; or by night, to cases where the red light of one ship is opposed to the red light of the other, or where the green light of one ship is opposed to the green light of the other, or where a red light without a green light, or a green light without a red light, is seen ahead, or where both green and red lights are seen anywhere but ahead.

Art. 16. If two ships under steam are crossing, so as to involve risk of collision, the ship which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way of the other.

Art. 17. If two ships, one of which is a sailing ship, and the other a steam ship, are proceeding in such directions as to involve risk of collision, the steam ship shall keep out of the way of the sailing ship.

Art. 18. Every steam ship, when approaching another ship, so as to involve risk of collision, sball slacken her speed or stop and reverse, if necessary.

Art. 19. In taking any course authorised or required by these Regulations, a steam ship under way may indicate that course to any other ship which she has in sight by the following signals on her steam whistle, 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 "I am going full speed astern."

The use of these signals is optional, but if they are used the course of the ship must be in accord- ance with the signal made.

Art. 20. Notwithstanding anything contained in any preceeding Article, every ship, whether a sailing ship or a steam ship, overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the overtaken ship.

Art. 21. In narrow channels every steam ship 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 ship.

Art. 22. Where by the above rules one of two ships is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course, .