Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-07-29
RULES FOR MOTOR BOATS.

Government Issues Instructions for
their Strict Enforcement.
The department of commerce and labor
has issued orders for the strict enforce
ment OF the rules governing the equip
ment and navigation Of motor boats.
There are something like 400 motor boats
in this district. The rules provide as fol-
lows.
Fog Horn, Whistle and Bell.
All motor vessels without regard to size or
use, must be provided with an efficient
whistle or siren, an efficient fog horn. and an
efficient bell No size or style of whistle, for
horn or bell is prescribed, provided it is
available and sufficient for the for which
it is intended. The word efficient" must be
taken in its ordinary sense, considered with
reference to the object intended by the pro-
visions in which the word appears, namely,
the production OF certain signals. The. power
to operate the whistle is not prescribed, but
prolonged blast" which is defined as of from
four to six seconds duration.
Lights
When navigated between sunset and sun
rise, they must carry regulation lights,
namely:
/. A bright white light at the bow.
2. A green light on the starboard side and
a red light on the port side, provided with
proper screens. The side lights may be so
affixed to the coaming or to the sides of the
deck house as to be properly screened, pro-
vided the lantern be backed with metal.
Whenever the green and red side lights can
not be fixed, they must be kept lighted and
ready for as provided by article 8 OF the
act Of June 7, 1907. The law does not appear
to permit the use of a three-color "combina-
ton" light.
8. white range light aft.
Copies OF Rules.
Such vessels are also required to have on
board two printed copies Of the rules, which
must be observed by them. which rules will
be furnished by local inspectors of the steam
vessels on request.
Life Presevvers. b..
All such vessels under fifteen tons engaged
in carrying passengers for hire, in addition to
the equipment above stated, are required to
carry one life preserver for each PASSENGER
carried, and shall be operated only in charge
OF person duly licensed by the local inspec-
tors Of steam vessels. Such vessels when used
only as private pleasure boats and not at any
for hire, are not obliged to comply with the
provisions of law in regard to life preservers
and licensed navigators. The life preservers
must be OF the sort prescribed by the regula-
tions Of the board of supervising inspectors.
They must bear the U. s. inspectors stamp,
Documenting, Inspection, etc.
All motor boats Of over five net tons en-
gagged in the carriage Of freight or passen-
gers for hire must be documented, viz: Ii
censed by the collector of customs. The Ii
cense for the vessel obtained from the col
lector Of customs is additional to, and must
not be COMPOUNDED with the license required
for the operator of a motor boat OF less than
fifteen tons carrying passengers for hire.
Motor vessels of over fifteen gross tons en-
gagged in the carriage Of freight or passen-
gers for hire must also be inspected by the U.
S. local inspectors of steam vessels
Documented vessels must have name and
home ports on stern and name on each bow.
Official measurements are necessary only in
case of vessels requiring to be documented.