Milford chronicle., 1919-06-20
RULES FOR MOTOR
BOAT OPERATORS
INSPECTORS DETAILED TO PATROL OUR
WATERS DURING SUMMER MONTHS.
THREE DELAWARE MEN.
FULL EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
GASOLINE EXTINCUISHERS, LIFE PRE-
SERVERS, FOG HORN AND PILOT
RULES ALWAYS HANDY.

hULEO ALWAIO 1ANDI.
All owners and operators of motor
boats in the Customs District of Phil
adelphia should give immediate at
tention to the proper equipment Of
their boats, as Navigation Inspectors
have been detailed by Charles r. Kurtz,
Surveyor of Customs, Philadelphia, to
constantly patrol all navigable waters
in this district during the months of
July, August and September. The Dis
trict embraces the eastern portion of
Pennsylvania, all of Delaware, and all
of New Jersey except the territory
adjacent to New York This, therefore,
includes all navigable waters along
the New Jersey coast from Bay Head
south to Cape May, the Delaware Bay,
the Delaware River. the Schuykill
River and the SusQuehanna River.
These rivers are known as navigable
waters where motor boats are or can
be operated on them.
All motor boats, when operating,
should have the following equipment:
Approved appliances for extinguish-
ing burning gasoline; an approved life
preserver, or similar appliance, for
each person on board, capable of sus-
tanning afloat for a continuous period
of "a hours a weight of not less than
20 pounds whistle, fog-horn or bell,
capable of producing proper signals
which can be heard at least one-half
mile; carry two copies of pilot Rules
aboard. In addition, proper lights
must be displayed at night when oper-
ating or while at anchor.
The attention of all owners and op-
orators of motor boats in this Gus
toms District is called to law passed
by Congress June Z, 1918, which re-
quires all motor boats to be numbered.
The regulations made in accordance
with this law by the Department of
Commerce became effective December
II, 1918.
Regulations
1. Application for numbers will be
made by the owner or master to the
Collector of Customs of the district
in which the owner resides. The own
er will then receive full instructions
as to the number awarded, how it is
to be placed on the vessel, etc.
2. In the case of power tenders for
a boat which is itself numbered under
this act, the tenders will take the same
number as the parent boat. Tenders
of documented boats will take a separ-
ate number for each power tender.
Sec. 4. That the penalty for viola
ton of any provision of this Act shall
be $40, for which the vessel shall be
liable and may be seized and proceed
ed against in the district court of the
United States in any district in which
-o1 ~.
atty on application may be mitigated
or remitted by the Secretary of Com
merce.
The Department of Commerce has
issued special instructions regarding
the necessary equipment of motor
boats in which is known as Depart
ment Circular No 236", entitled, Reg
ulation of Motor Boats; also Form
SO4" entitled pilot Rules. These
publications are supplied free of
charge, and are distributed by the nav
igation inspectors. Copies of same can
also be secured by writing to or ap-
plying at the offices of the following
Customs officials in this District:
+. Daniel B. Jones, Deputy Collector,
Wilmington, Del
William c. Marshall, Actg. Deputy
Collector, Lewes, Del.
John F. Herrant, Deputy Collector,
Seaford, Del.
Beginning with July 1st navigation
inspectors with motor boats, carrying
the Customs Revenue flag so that they
can easily be identified, will be con-
stantly patrolling navigable waters
for the purpose of inspecting all mo-
tor boats in the district. They will
give all possible informa-
tion as to the proper compliance with
the law. In all matters they will be
courteous and considerate in dealing
with the public, preferring to aid and |
instruct rather than to harass, unduly
annoy, or prosecute anyone.
After having given extended public /
notice of the forthcoming inspection, |
those officers must report each and /
every violation that comes to their I
attention to the Department, regard /
less of mitigating ei=c;; tn t5iiiJ5s, as
to mitigate and remit pen
alties is vested solely in the Secretary |
Of Commerce.
When navigation inspectors are on
duty the official badge will be worn as
proof of authority, and when on board
they will also display the U. S. Gus
toms Revenue flag. In prosecuting
thir work they will sigma motor boats
within hailing distance to stop and
submit to inspection. Operators of
motor boats who wilfully disregard
such notice, or any persons who as
sault, resist, or in any way hinder
navigation inspectors in the execution
If the law relating to motor boats, will
be liable to a penalty of $500.
The Importance of this warning will
be appreciated by owners of motor
)oats when they realize the extent of
he fines that are provided by the reg
Ilations for the following violations,
o witt:
Anchor light, $3.50.
Running light, $10O.
Sound producing devices, S100. |
Life-saving appliances, 800.
Operators license, 800.
Means for extinguishing burning I
,asoline, 800.
Pilot Rules not on board. $3.50.
Number (Act of June z, 1879, $40.
(For further information regarding