The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-12
MOTOR BOAT LAW
NOW EFFECT TIVE
Small Craft in James River
Must Observe Strict
Regulations.
LIGHT SIGNALS BY NIGHT
Whistles Required by Day-Ob-
ject Is to Prevent Col
lisions.

Under recent act of Congress al
motor boats plying in navigable
waters are now required to carry
lights and display other signals for
the prevention of collisions. The law
was passed on June o. and became eff
fective yesterday. Copies of the act
have been received at the office OF
Collector of Customs Arnold.
Bfore the present law was enacted
only motor boats of more than Ave
net tons engaged in the carriage of
freight or passengers for hire were
required to carry signals and were not
prescribed by the government. Every
must carry signals and is subject to
rules and regulations prescribed by
Congress-.
Ever since the General S1ocum dis
aster in New York Harbor, several
years ago, Congress has been enactins
the strictest laws governing the opera
tion OF. vessels Of all kinds Especial
ly have the provisions been rigid on
vessels carrying passengers. Before
the Slocunl disaster hundreds could
crowd on the deck of a steamer until
the vessel might sink from sheer
weight. Now only a limited number
of passengers are allowed on steam.
ers. The customs officials and inspec-
tors are required to keep an eye on
all craft
Persons owning motor boats In Rich
mond will be required to provide sig
nails in all weather from sunset to
sunrise. During such time no other
lights. which may be mistaken for
those prescribed. shall be exhibited.
Motor Boat Regulations.
Motor boats OF less than twenty six
feet in length are in class enc, twenty
six feet or over and less than forty
feet in length are in class two, forty
feet or over and not more than sixty
five feet in length are in class three.
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
forepart 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 abaft the beam on their
respective sides.
Every motor boat of Glasses anc
6 shall carry the following lights:
First. a bright white light in the
forepart OF the vessel, as near the
stem as practicable, SO constructed az
to show an unbrofen light over ar
| arc of the horizon of twenty points o.
| the compass, SO fixed as to throw the
| light ten points on each side of the
vessel, namely, from right ahead t.
| two points abaft the beam on either
| side.
Dimensions of the glass or lens t.
be used in the lights are also speci
fed.
Every motor boat is also required tt
be equipped with a whistle or othel
sound producing mechanical appliance
capable of producing a blast of tw'
seconds or more in duration. A bias
of two seconds shall be deemed a pro
longed blast within the meaning o
the law.
A fine of not exceeding 500 may b.
imposed for any violation Of this act
| The motor boat shall be liable for tn
penalty, and may be seized and pro
ceeded against by way of libel, II
the District Court of the United State
for any district within which sucn YES
sci may be found. The law is to b
executed by Collector of Customs an
other officers of the government.
! In case of collisions In the Jane
| River owners of vessels may file libel
in the United States Court In accord
ance with rules followed by large
/ craft. There are large number o
motor boats on the James owned b.
1 Richmond people, who will be affecte
| by the new law