The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1908-07-02
Federal officers Demand That
Owners of Motor Boats Have
Proper Lights
COLLECTOR GETS ORDERS
Prosecutions Are Promised if All the
Provisions Of the Law Are Not
Observed to the Very Letter
To Avoid Accidents

Several owners Of power boats have
been notified by federal inspectors that
unless they comply Immediately with
the government rules relative to the
use of whistles, bells, life preseryers,
lights, ETC., that fines will be imposed.
The launch owners have not complied
strictly with the law and the inspectors
are now bringing them to time.
The following relating to the rules
governing power boats, is contained in
circular received here by Collector of
Customs, Capt. George Hale.
Motor boat owners at lake ports have
been writing to the steamboat inspec-
tors to inquire about the necessary
equipment to comply with the inspec-
ton law. Some Of them seem sore
over existing conditions and want to
know if they must go to Washington
to secure a law which will better fit
the conditions. This is just what has
been recommended for years by the
steamboat inspectors.
In reply to the secretary Of the Jack
son Park Yacht Club of Chicago, Su-
pervising Inspector General Uhler
writes: "You are informed that the
act of congress, approved February s,
1905, provides that the words steam
vessels shall include any vessel propelled
by machinery, hence rule II, Of this
act, which relates to open boats does
not apply to vessels propelled by ma
chinery. Rules and Of this act
apply to all vessels propelled by ma
chinery, and subdivisions (a), (b), (c)
and (d) apply, therefore, to motor YES
sells The only exception to the manner
of carrying these lights is provided for
in rule 8, respecting small vessels I'M
der way during bad weather.
cit seems. as thought it will be neces-
sary to have congress enact laws re
lating to motor boats exclusively before
any relief can be expected The lawful
efficient bell is one not less than eight
inches in diameter For the informa-
tion Of boat owners, Capt. Westcott,
inspector Of the Eighth
district, was asked to outline the re
quirements of the law. He said:
There has been no change in the
law, and as the matter now stands
the requirements of the law are that
all such vessels shall carry on the
fore part of the vessel bright white
light, so constructed as to show an
unbro1en light over an arc of the
horizon of twenty points Of the com
pass, so fixed as to throw the light
ten points on eacn side of the vessel,
viz: From right ahead to two points
abaft the beam on either side and of
such character as to be visible at
distance Of at least FIVE miles; on the
starboard side green light, SO con
structed as to- throw an unbroken light
over an arc of the horizon of ten
points Of the compass, SO fixed as to
throw the light from right ahead at
two points abaft the beam on the star
boardside, and distance of at least
two miles; on the port side a red
light, SO constructed as to show aD
light over an arc Of the
horizon of ten points of the compass,
SO fixed as to throw the light from
right ahead to two points abaft the
beam on the port side, and of such
a character, as to be visible at a
distance of at least two miles.
The said green and red lights shall
be fitted with inboard screens project
ing at least three feet forward from
the light, 50 as to prevent those lights
from being seen. across the bow. A
white light Qantern) for an anchor
light, constructed so as to show a
clear, uniform and unbroken light,
visible all around tie horizon at a dis
tance of at Least one mile.