The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1904-03-15
COLLECTOR IDE WILL
INSIST ON OBEDIENCE
DIGEST OF NAVIGATION PREPARED BENEFIT OF
SHIP OWNERS AND MASTER mARNERs-RULEs MUST BE
OBSERVED TO TIE LETTER

Ever since the riKfa inspection q the
vessels plylna the waters ~ Puget
sound ~ the revenue cutter service
commenced. which resulted ~ fines
tssirE placed against number 81
steamers the owners have had com.
plants 20 make ~ one way or an
other IL almost every case where the
Inspecting officer Informed the captain
oF master that hin craft was subject
80 "a fIHe. De received the reply that
che master did hot know that there
vas aHy such law OF that thnne who
had a partial knnH ledge % H. were
unable 20 fiud printed copy q the
Hfatute.
ln uaat cases whers fines have been
placed f. has hesu IN regard 20 sumo
seemingly miner matter. but the iu-
ng.srtura who have the work IN charge,
have decided that ali vessels must
essfupiy Nith the las strictly from the
smallest detail up. Many ~ she own
sra ard managers 81 vessels that have
sssu reported Tor fines. and those
which have been fined for breaking
the law In some small detail have 49,
vefeiy criticised the officers Of the
department for their seeming desire
10 Impose hariahips upon them. not
withdrawing the fact that the Ia "
hss been broken.
The navigation laws of the Quilted
States relating % steam vessels. their
equipment. management etc. were
made for the purpose u protecting
venasis passengers and cargo. and a.
Laws thsy should BE- nbcyed. Not only
in more important partlcuiafn. bat
also Ia the small dntaiiH
All vessels comply with the laws In
regard TO the requirements which are
Ia use daily bat many are negligent
Ia regard to rules that are seldom
read. Collector % Customs ide. Who
has been instructed by the department
OF commerce and ia Dor 20 SEQ that the
vessels plying these waters conform
to the rules and rcEalH lions governing
steam vessels and others. has decided
that the best way oat Of the matter.
a. Justice TO himself and those con-
cerned ln the management 81 the vca-
sells. e. to see that tho laws are com
piled with ia every detail.
To this end the collector has called
the attention 81 the owners % steam
vessels aud others concerned. to the
navigation laws 81 the United States
relating 60 steam vessels. copies Of
which can be obtained hy applying at
tho customs house al Port Townsend.
The rules call especial attention %
the fact that any collector or other
chief officer OF the customs. or In
Hpeutor. who negllEcntly or intention
ally. omits any duty under the Sec
lions shall be subject TO removal FROM
office, and 20 a penalty for each Of
Tense. to be sued for In an action for
debt
The rules call particular attention 70
the life saving apparatus on the ves-
sells Stern ladders or steps. such as
would enable passengers 20 ret from
one deck Go another. are particularly
mentioned. Many vessels have but one
stairway for passengers Co get from
the lower deck 90 the upper. and that
on the inside. which would prevent its
use IA case Of fire. Attention iH called
To the fact that vessels carrying pas.
seugcrs must be provided with extra
steering apparatus. consisting Of re-
Ileviug tackles tiiler. etc. All metalll,
life boats hereafter built must be pro-
vidcd with automatic plugs.
Section 70. Of Rule :. requires thai
all wooden life boats shall be cut OF
| branded with the net cubic feet con
/ tents. and that metallic life boats shall
have the net cubic feet measurement,
painted ON the stem In letters not lest
/ than thrcc-fourths Of an inch high
on "A white surface.
Another fact that tho rules call at
/ tention to IL the station bill which th'
master Of the vessel shall have draw
up for his own department and tina
Of the engineers once every wccl
fire drills shall be held, In order L