Rule 15. Every vessel shall, in thick weather, by reason of fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rain storms, or other causes, go at moderate speed. A steam vessel hearing, apparently not more than four points from right ahead, the fog signal of another vessel shall at once reduce her speed to bare steerageway, and navigate with caution until the vessels shall have passed each other.

STEERING AND SAILING RULES.

Sailing Vessels.

Rule 16. When two sailing vessels 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, namely:

(a) A vessel which is running free shall keep out of the way of a vessel which is closehauled.

(b) A vessel which is closehauled on the port tack shall keep out of the way of a vessel which is closehauled on the starboard tack.

(c) When both are running free, with the wind on different sides, the vessel which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other.

(d) When they are running free, with the wind on the same side, the vessel which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to leeward.

Steam Vessels.

Rule 17. When two steam vessels 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 shall pass on the port side of the other.

Rule 18. When two steam vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way of the other.

Rule 19. When a steam vessel and a sailing vessel are proceeding in such directions as to involve risk of collision the steam vessel shall keep out of the way of the sailing vessel.

Rule 20. Where, by any of the rules herein prescribed, one of two vessels shall keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course and speed.

if the vessels shall have approached within half a mile of each other both shall reduce their speed to bare steerageway, and, if necessary, stop and reverse.

Rule 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.

Rule 28. 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 lookout, or of a neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case.

The

Sec. 2. That a fine, not exceeding two hundred dollars, may be imposed for the violation of any of the provisions of this Act. vessel shall be liable for the said penalty, and may be seized and proceeded against, by way of libel, in the district court of the United States for any district within which such vessel may be found.

Labor of the Sec. 3. That the Secretary of Commerce and United States shall have authority to establish all necessary regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, required to carry the same into effect.

The Board of Supervising Inspectors of the United States shall have authority to establish such regulations to be observed by all steam vessels in passing each other, not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, as they shall from time to time deem necessary; and all regulations adopted by the said Board of Supervising Inspectors under the authority of this Act, when approved by the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, shall have the force of law. Two printed copies of any such regulations for passing, signed by them, shall be furnished to each steam vessel, and shall at all times be kept posted up in conspicuous places on board.

Sec. 4. That all laws or parts of laws, so far as applicable to the navigation of the Great Lakes and their connecting and tributary waters as far as Montreal, inconsistent with the foregoing rules. are hereby repealed.

Sec. 5. That this act shall take effect on and after March first, eighteen hundred and ninety-five.

Approved, February 8, 1895.