Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-05-04
Summary Of Government
Rules Now in Force.
Laws Regarding Equipments,
Their Handling and Care.i
Something Worth Reading and
Having on Boat for Reference.

Each year the number of power boats
has increased until now they nearly
oHtnumber the sailing yachts. This
has brought large number of new
men into the port. many men who be-
fore the introduction of the gaSOline
engine would not venture upon the
water.
During the fall and winter there has
been much discussion in the papers
regarding the handling and care of the
power boats, and al to the government
.uies governing power boats.
IKE Yacht Racing Association Of
rragansett bay in its year book has
published a condensed copy of the
rules governing power boats. They
We're obtained from the department OF
commerce and labor, and when the
number of men interested in this type
of yacht is considered the Importance
of these laws can be seen. They are
as follows:
"All power vessels, without regard
to size or use, must be provided with
an efficient whistle an efficient fog
horn and an efficient bell. No size or
style of whistle. foghorn or bell is
prescribed provided it is available and
sufficient Tor the use for which is in in
tended. The word efficient must be
taken in its ordinary sense. considered
with reference to the object intended
by the provisions in which the word
appears, namely the production of GER
tain signals. The power to operate
the whistle is not described. but it
must he Of such a character as to pro-
duce a prolonged blast which is de
fined as of from four to six seconds
duration.
when navigated between sunset
and sunrise they must carry regula-
ton lights. namely:
81. bright white light at the bow
or head of the vessel.
'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 coam-
ing or to the sides of the declhouse
as to he properly screened. provided
the lantern be backed with metal.
Whenever the green and red side lights
cannot be fixed they must be Kept light
ed and ready for use as provided by
Article 6 of the act of June I, 1897.
THE law does not appear to Permit
the use of a threc-color combination
light
80. A white light aft showing all
around the horizon. to range with the
head light
"Such vessels are also required to
have on board two printed copies of the
rules which must be observed by them
which rules must be furnished by 10
40 i,cp ,c Stc
quest.
"All such vessels of i gross tons or
less engaged in carrying passengers
for hire. in addition to the equipment
above stated are required to carry one
life preserver for each passenger car
ried, and shall be operated only in
charge of person duly licensed by
the local inspectors of steam vessels
Such vessels when used only as private
pleasure boats and not at any time en-
gagged in the carriage of passengers for
hire are not obliged to comply with the
provisions of law in regard to life pre-
servers and licensed operators. (The
life preserverS must be of the sort pre-
scribcd by the regulations of the board
OF supervising inspectors. They must
bear the United States Stamp)
"Whilc the law does not require it,
the department recommends in the in
tcreSt of safety to life that a life pre-
server for each person on board be
carried on all power boats regardless
of size or occupation.
All power boats of over five net tons
engaged in the carriage of freight or
passengers for hire must be document
cd; that is to say, licensed by the col
lectors of customs. Vessels under five
net tons are not dOcumcnted IN any
cascD The license of the vessel obtain
ed from the collector of customs (des-
ignated a dOcument is additional to
ard must not be COMPOUNDED with the
license required for the operator of a
motor boat of Il gross tons or less car
rying passengers for hire.
"Power vessels of over Il gross tons
engaged in the carriage of passengers
or freight for hire must also be in
spacted by the United States local in
spectors of steam vessels and must
carry q licensed engineer and a licensed
pilot
"Documentcd vessels must have
name and home port on stern and
name on each bow. Official measure
ment is necessary only in case of yes
sells requiring to be documents.
"While the law does not require it.
the department recommends that the
name be conspicuously displayed on
undocumented power boats