Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-08-13
Owners Must Be Prepared
For Customs Officials,
Ofdefs from Washington To See
That Law Is 0beyed.
Boats Must Be Equipped with Pro-
per Outfit At Once.

According to instructions received
INNS week from the department of la
Dor and commerce at Washington. D.
y" the enlargement of the new motor
ooat law, recently enacted by Congress,
Which went into effect July 8, is to be
begun Immediately, and all motor boat
owners, unless their craft are already
equipped according to the provisions
ol the new law, should speedily see to
that they have the proper equip
nent. otherwise they may be prose-
cuted and fined.
Although the new motor boat law
Went into effect July 9, collectors of
customs have not been able to com
mence the enforcement Of it owing to
lack of funds. A few days ago, how
ever, the treasury department notified
them that they could draw for all
necessary expenses and the word was
passed along to see that the law was
enforced.
The new act provides that the words
motor boat when used in this act
shall include every vessel propelled by
machinery and not more than 65 feet
in length except tug boats and tow
beats prope He'd by steam The length
shall be measured from end to end
over the deck, excluding sheer; pro-
Vided, that the engine boiler or other
operating machinery shall be subject
to inspection by the local inspectors
of steam vessels, and to their approval
Of the design thereof, on all said motor
boats. which are more than 40 feet in
length, and which are propelled by
machinery driven by steam.
Sec. 2; That motor boats subject to
the provisions Of this act shall be di
vded into classes as foll6ws
Glass one. Less than 26 feet in
length.
Glass two. Twenty-six feet or over
and less than 40 feet in length.
Glass three. Forty feet or over and
not more than 65 feet in length.
Sec. 3. That every motor boat in all
weathers from sunrise tC sunset shall
carry the following lights. and during
such time no other lights which may
be mistaken for those prescribed shall
be exhibited.
(a) Every motor boat of class one
shall carry the following lights:
First. A white light aft to show
all around the horizon.
Second. A combined lantern in the
fore part Of the vessel and lower than
the white light aft showing green to
starboard and red to port, so fixed as
to throw the light from right ahead to
two points ahaft the beam ON their he
spective sides.
Cd Every rotor boat Of classes two
and three shall carry the following
lights: 80
l>rie %
fore part of the vessel as near the
stem as practicable, SO constructed as
to show an unbroken light over an are
Of the horizon of 20 points of the com
pass, so fixed as to throw the light 10
points on each side of the vessel, naIle-
", from right ahead to two points
abaft the beam on either side. The
glass or lens shall be of not less than
the following dimensions
Class two. Nineteen square inches.
Glass three Thirty-one square
inches.
Second. white light aft to show
all around the horizon
Third. On the starboard side green
light so constructed as to show an UNI
broken light over an arc OF the horizon
of 10 points of the compass. so hXed as
to throw the light from right ahead 10
two points abaft the beam on the star
board side on the port side Il red
light so constructed AS to snow an
unbroken light over an are % the
horizon of 10 points OF the compass
so fixed as to throw the light from
right ahead to two points abaIt the
beam on the port side. The glasses OF
lenses in the said side lights shall DC
of not less than the following dimeh-
sions on motor boats of
Glass two. Sixteen square inches.
Glass three. Twenty-Five square
inches.
on and after July 1. 1911. all glasses
or lenses prescribed by paragraph CD
of section three shall be fresnel 'or
,uted The said lights shall be fitted
with inboard screens of suflcieht
height and so set as to prevent these
lights from being seen across the DOW
and shall be of not less than the '"i-
lowing dimensions on motor poats VI
Glass two. Eighteen inches long.
C,,.s three. Twenty-four inches
long:
provided. That motor boats are de-
fined in this Act. when propelled pH
shall carry the colored lights sul'apiy
screened but not the white lights pre-
scrihed bv this section.
Sec. 4. (a) Every motor boat uhder
The provisions Of this Act shall be pro-
vided with a whistle or other souhu-
producing o blast of two SECONDS OF
more in duration, and in the case ..
such boats so provided a blast OK a..
least two seconds shall be deemed
prolonged blast within the meaning OF
the law. IA
(b) Every motor boat of Class Two
or three shall carry an efficient 1os
horn. #
10, Every motor boat of Class Two
mr. three shall be provided with an en-
Gent bell. which shall be not less '''ai
eightjinches across the mouth on BOAR"
of vessels of Glass three.
Soc. r. That every motor boat SUD
,ect 10 any of the provisions OF 'nis
Act and also all vessels propelled ny
machinery other than by steam more
l n