The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-04-26
ENFORCE laws OF
MOTOR BOATING
U. S. Officials Will Be Busy in Local
Waters and Here Are the Laws
On the Statute Books.

\ busy campaign VIII be waged this
spring and summer In the Detroit river
bN the officials OF the United states
government whose duties lncluue '"s
policing or the trafnc OF the stream.
Collector OF customs John IL. Nhslah
has Just received from toe depaItnsn.
OF commerce aud labor I'm Washington
a concise abstract OF the laws WhiS"
reads as follows. "a
whi.tl. and neil.
All motor vessels. without regard
70 size OF use , ma.' se aprsy'd sfs M
bell No size or style OF Dell pre-
scribed provided II Is avaiiapie anu
sufficient for the use Tor which IL
Intended The word efficient must De
taken IA its ordinary sense, considereu
with reference TO the object intende1
by the provisions In which the wo,u
appears, namely. the production OF csl-
tain signals The power 10 operate the
whistle IL not prescribed but the
whistle must be OF such character As
TO be heard in ordinary weather AZ
distance OF at least two miles.
Lights.
when navigated between sunset ana
sunrise. they must carry reg uiatio"
lights namely.
II. 4 bright white light at the bow
OF head OF the vessel
- \ green light on the starboasa
side and "A red light on the port side
provided with proper screens The side
ltghts may be 50 affixed 10 the coam-
ing or tn the sides or the deck house
the lantern be backed with metal.
whenever the green and red side ghts
can not be hNcd. they must be kept
lighted and ready for use as PROVIDED
bS article : OF the act OF Feb. $. 1895.
The law does not appear 10 permit
the use OF three color combination
tight
Copies OF Rules.
such vessels are also required 10
have on board two printed copies or
the rules which must Dc observed ey
them. which rules VIII be furnished %
local inspectors II steam vessels on To-
quest
All such vessels OF 10 gross tons or
less engaged Ia carrying passengers
FOR hire. IN addition TO the equipment
above stated. are required 10 carry one
iife-prcserver for each PASSENGER car
ried and shall DC operated only in
charge or a person duly licensed BY
the local inspectors OF steam vessels
such vessels when used only as pri-
time engaged IN the carriage or pas
sengers for hire are not Obliged 10
! comply with the provisions or law In
regard u life-preseryers and licensed
operators tThe lifespreservers must
be- OF the sort prescribed by the regu-
lations OF the board Of supervising In.
spectors They must bear the United
States inspectors stamp
~ hilc the law does not require II.
the department recommends, In the IN
terest of safety Ia life. that life-pre-
carried on all motor boats, regardless
~ size or occupation.
Documenting, Inspection, etc.
All motor boats OF over 1--WE net tons
engaged IN the carriage OF freight or
passvngers for hire must he document
ed that Is 70 say, licensed by the col
lectors 90 customs. Vessels under nNe
net tons are not documented In any
. CHse.l Tie license OF The vessel ob-
tutned from the collector OF customs
/ cd. stgnated a documentD Is additional
80 ana must not be Confounded with
the license required for the operator or
motor boat 90 10 gross tons or less
carrying passengers for hire.
Motor vessels OF over 10 gross tons
engaged in the carriage OF passengers
or freight for hire must also be In
spected by the United states local In
spectOrs 81 steam vessels and must
--c6LrN a licensed engineer and a licensed
pilot.
"Documented vessels must have name
AMI home port on stern and name on
each bow. OFFICIAL measurement Is
necessary only ia case OF vessels re-
-TuTTfUE 70 be duCumC ntVd
While the law does not require IL.
the department rrcNmmends that the
name hoe couspfcuously displayed on
I andOeumcnted motor boats.