left or port side of the vessel ahead, she shall give two short blasts of the steam whistle as a signal of such desire, and if the vessel ahead answers with two blasts, shall direct her course to port; or if the vessel ahead does not think it safe for the vessel astern to attempt to pass at that point, she shall immediately signify the same by giving several short and rapid blasts of the steam whistle, not less than five, and under no circumstances shall the vessel astern attempt to pass the vessel ahead until such time as they have reached a point where it can be safely done, when said vessel ahead shall signify her willingness by blowing the proper signals. The vessel ahead shall in no case attempt to cross the bow or crowd upon the course of the passing vessel.

Every vessel coming up with another vessel from any direction more than two points abaft her beam—that is, in such a position, with reference to the vessel which she is overtaking, that at night she would be unable to see either of that vessel's side lights-shall be deemed to be an overtaking vessel; and no subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two vessels shall make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of the rules in this part, or relieve her of the duty of keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally passed and clear.

As by day the overtaking vessel cannot always know with certainty whether she is forward of or abaft this direction from the other vessel she should, if in doubt, assume that she is an overtaking vessel and keep out of the way.

§ 322.8

In all channels less than five hundred feet in width, no steam vessel shall pass another going in the same direction unless the steam vessel ahead be disabled or signify her willingness that the steam vessel astern shall pass, when the steam vessel astern may pass subject, however, to the other rules applicable to such a situation. ✶ ✶✶ Rule 25, § 322.9

Crossing Steam Vessels

When two steamers are approaching each other at right angles or obliquely so as to involve risk of collision, other than when one steamer is overtaking another, *** the steamer having the other on her own port bow shall blow one blast of her whistle as a signal of her intention to cross the bow of the other, holding her course and speed, which signal shall be promptly answered by the other steamer by one short blast of her whistle as a signal of her intention to direct her course to starboard so as to cross the stern of the other steamer or otherwise keep clear.

If from any cause whatever the conditions covered by this situation are such as to prevent immediate compliance with each other's signals, the misunderstanding or objection shall be at once made apparent by blowing the danger signal, and both steamers shall be stopped, and backed if necessary, until signals for passing with safety are made and understood. Rule 18, § 322.10

Passing Whistles to be Used Whenever Approach is Within Half a Mile

The signals for passing, by the blowing of the whistle, shall be given and answered by pilots in compliance with the rules in this part, not only when meeting "head and head," or nearly so, but at all times when passing or meeting at a distance within a half mile of each other, and whether passing to the starboard or port.

Special Whistles for Steamers Passing Dredge or Pipeline

$322.4

Vessels intending to pass dredges or other types of floating plant working in navigable channels, when within a reasonable distance therefrom and not in any case over a mile, shall indicate such intention by blowing the passing signal prescribed in the local pilot rules for vessels under way, which shall be answered in the usual manner from said plant if the channel is clear and the approaching vessel may pass on the course indicated; otherwise the floating plant shall sound the alarm or danger signal and the approaching vessel shall slow down or stop and await further signal from the plant.

When the pipe line from a dredge crosses the channel in such a way that an approaching vessel, owing to excessive draft or for other reasons, cannot pass around the pipe line or dredge, a signal shall be given from the vessel by sounding 4 blasts of the whistle, which shall be answered by a like signal from the dredge. The pipe line shall then be opened for the passage of the vessel as soon as practicable; when the line is open ready for passage, the dredge shall so indicate by sounding the usual passing signal, and the approaching vessel shall promptly pass the dredge. War Dept. Regulations No. 8(a)

Special Signal For Vessel Aground in Channel, St. Mary's River Only
Sound signal for vessel aground in channel.

(a) A vessel aground in and completely blocking a dredged channel shall sound several short and rapid blasts of her whistle upon the approach of another vessel bound up or down the channel. The approaching vessel shall stop and repeat this signal to another vessel coming up astern, and make proper dispositions to avoid fouling the grounded vessel.

(b) A vessel aground in a dredged channel, but so as to permit passage with safety, shall sound three distinct blasts of her whistle upon the approach of another vessel bound up or down the channel.

The approaching vessel shall answer with the same signal, slow down, and proceed with caution until clear. $ 323.11 NOTE.-Like all whistle signals on the Great Lakes, the above signal on the St. Mary's River is used in clear weather and in fog.

WESTERN RIVERS

Warning Signals

When any steamer, whether ascending or descending, is nearing at short bend or point where, from any cause, a steamer approaching in

an opposite direction can not be seen at a distance of 600 yards, the pilot of such steamer, when he shall have arrived within 600 yards of that bend or point, shall give a signal of one long sound of his whistle, as a notice to any steamer within hearing that may be approaching on the other side, and within half a mile, of such bend or point; and should there be any such approaching steamer within hearing of such signal, it shall be the duty of the pilot thereof to answer such signal by one long sound of his whistle, when both steamers shall be navigated with the proper precautions, as required by the rules in this part

§ 332.6

When a steamer is moved from its dock or berth, and other steamers are liable to approach such steamer from any direction, such steamer and any approaching steamer shall give the same signal as in case of steamers meeting at a bend; but immediately after clearing the dock or berth so as to be fully in sight, they shall be governed by the rules in this part for passing.

§ 332.7

NOTE.-The long blast signal of 8 to 10 seconds is required to be blown by both vessels.

Danger Signal

If from any cause the signals for passing are not made at the proper time, as provided in § 332.1, or should the signals be given and not properly understood, from any cause whatever, and either steamer become imperiled thereby, the pilot on either steamer may be the first to sound the alarm or danger signal, which shall consist of four or more short and rapid blasts of the whistle. Whenever the danger signal is given, the engines of both steamers shall be stopped and backed until the headway of the steamers has been fully checked; nor shall the engines of either steamer be again started ahead until the steamers can safely pass each other. ✶ ✶ ✶

Cross Signals Forbidden

§ 332.2

*** Steamers approaching each other from opposite directions are forbidden to use what has become technically known among pilots as "cross signals"—that is, answering one whistle with two, and answering two whistles with one. In all cases, and under all circumstances, a pilot receiving either of the whistle signals provided in the rules in this part, which for any reason he deems injudicious to comply with, instead of answering it with a cross signal, shall at once observe the provisions of this section.

§ 332.2

Steam Vessels Meeting When steamers are approaching each other from opposite directions, the signals for passing shall be one short and distinct blast of the whistle to alter course to starboard so as to pass on the port side of the other, and two short and distinct blasts of the whistle to alter course to port so as to pass on the starboard side of the other.

When two 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 may pass on the port side of the other.

When an ascending steamer is approaching a descending steamer, the pilot of the ascending steamer shall give the first signal for passing which shall be promptly answered by the same signal by the pilot of the descending steamer, if safe to do so, and both shall be governed accordingly; but if the pilot of the descending steamer deems it dangerous to take the side indicated by the ascending steamer, he shall immediately signify that fact by sounding the alarm or danger signal of four or more short and rapid blasts of the whistle, and it shall be the duty of the pilot of the ascending steamer to answer by a signal of four or more short and rapid blasts of the whistle, and the engines of both steamers shall be immediately stopped, and backed if necessary, until the signals for passing are given and answered. After sounding the alarm signal by both steamers, the pilot of the descending steamer shall indicate by his whistle the side on which he desires to pass, and the pilot of the ascending steamer shall govern himself accordingly, the descending steamer being entitled to the right of way.

Where possible, the signals for passing must be made, answered, and understood before the steamers have arrived at a distance of half a mile of each other.

Provided, however, That when a steamer on the Mississippi River is about to enter the Ohio River at the same time that a steamer on the Ohio River is about to enter the Mississippi River, at Cairo Point, the steamer on the Mississippi River shall give the first signal; but in no case shall pilots on steamers attempt to pass each other until there has been a thorough understanding as to the side each steamer shall take. § 332.1

NOTE. This rule gives the right of way in a river to the descending steamer, which is in accordance with the demands of good seamanship, because she is the less maneuverable of the two vessels. But it also provides that the ascending steamer shall blow the first whistle, subject to the approval of the descending steamer, thus creating a dangerous situation unless the first whistle is blown when the steamers are a long distance apart, so that there is ample time for a disagreement to be straightened out before dangerous proximity is reached. This fact is especially important because the vessels approach each other in this situation at double their average speed.

Meeting in Narrow Channels

When two steamers are about to enter a narrow channel at the same time, the ascending steamer shall be stopped below such channel until the descending steamer shall have passed through it; but should two steamers unavoidably meet in such channel, then it shall be the duty of the pilot of the ascending steamer to make the proper signals, and when answered, the ascending steamer shall lie as close as possible to the side

of the channel the exchange of signals may have determined, as provided by § 332.1, and either stop the engines or move them so as only to give the boat steerageway, and the pilot of the descending steamer shall cause his steamer to be worked slowly until he has passed the ascending

steamer.

Meeting Near Bridge Span

§ 332.3

When two steamers are approaching a bridge span or draw from opposite directions and the passing signals as provided in § 332.1 have been given and understood, should the pilot of the descending steamer deem it dangerous for the steamers to pass each other between the piers of such span or draw, he shall sound the alarm or danger signal, and it shall then be the duty of the pilot of the ascending steamer to answer with a similar alarm signal, and to slow or stop his engines below such span or draw until the descending steamer shall have passed.

§ 332.4

Steam Vessel Overtaking Another When a steamer is overtaking another steamer, and the overtaking steamer shall desire to pass on the right or starboard side of the steamer ahead, the overtaking steamer shall give one short blast of the whistle, and if the steamer ahead answers with one blast, the overtaking steamer may pass on the starboard side of the steamer ahead; or if the overtaking steamer shall desire to pass on the left or port side of the steamer ahead, she shall give two short blasts of the whistle, and if the steamer ahead answers with two blasts the overtaking steamer may pass on the port side of the steamer ahead; or if the steamer ahead does not think it safe for the overtaking steamer to attempt to pass at that point, she shall immediately signify the same by giving not less than four short, and rapid blasts of the whistle, and under no circumstances shall the overtaking steamer attempt to pass the steamer ahead until such time as they have reached a point where it can be safely done, when the steamer ahead shall signify her willingness by blowing one blast of the whistle for the overtaking steamer to pass on the starboard side of the steamer ahead, or two blasts of the whistle for the overtaking steamer to pass on the port side of the steamer ahead.

Every steamer overtaking another shall keep out of the way of the overtaken steamer. Every steamer coming up with another steamer from any direction more than two points abaft her beam shall be deemed to be an overtaking steamer, and no subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two steamers shall make the overtaking steamer a crossing steamer within the meaning of the rules in this part, or relieve her of the duty of keeping clear of the overtaken steamer until she is finally passed and clear. If the overtaking steamer is in doubt as to whether she is forward of or abaft this direction, she shall assume that she is an overtaking steamer and keep out of the way.