The Daily Alaska empire., 1929-05-01
COAST GUARD
 POSITION IS
 GIVEN, LETTER
Commander Billiard T ell $ Boatmen toHeed Signals
 Asks Cooperation

An official communication in the
 form of a letter to all amateur mo-
 torboatmen and yachtsmen from Rear Admiral F. c. Billiard, Com
 mandant of the U. s. Coast Guard.
 explaining the duties of the Coast
 Guard and why it is sometimes ne-
 cessary to stop and board boats
 that are apparently pleasure craft.
 was recently received by the local Customs Office. The letter is of
 interest and great importance to all bCatmen. It fellows:
 Since it's creation in 17o0 tic
 U. s. Coast Guard has, each yca~
 in the performance of it's dut:7s
 boarded and examined many ilous-
 ands of vessels. The Coast Caafd
 is not charged with the inforcc-
 ment of the National Prohibition
 Act, but it is charged with the
 prevention of the smuggling of Ii.
 quor into the United States iron the sea. In the performance of this particular duty, which is nt more nor less than upholding the Constitution of the United States the Coast Guard must stop, board and examine vessels.
 Because yachtsmen and amateur motorboatmen are considered, as 3 class, to be law abiding American citizens, yachts and motorboats used solely for pleasure, which may be plainly recognized as such, will not ordinarily be stopped while under way for boarding and examination by the Coast Guard, unless par ticularly suspicious circumstances require such action.
 Many small pleasure craft close ly resemble, in size and general ap- pearance, the boats used by rum runners. It therefore follows that pleasure craft occasionally must be stopped, and possibly boarded, in order that their identity and in- nocent character may be ascer- tained. This need occasion no con- cern or annoyance. All that is required is that reasonable spiri' of cooperation on the part of those in charge of pleasure craft that surely is expected of all good citi- ZenS.
 Every person in charge of pleas ure craft is supposed to keep { reasonable and proper lookout ove' the water in his vicinity. This i necessary in the interest of gooe navigation and is to be expected O every good sailorman. No persor is safe to be intrusted with the navigation of a vessel who doe. not occasionally take a glanct the horizon. Such a prop. CT lookout will readily disclose tho presence of any Coast Guard boa | that may be signalling you to stop | Coast Guard vessels are easily re- cognized as such and all fly the 1 distinguishing Coast Guard insign | The Coast Guard boat will use her | whistle, or Klaxon horn, or a meg. aphone, and visual signals, such a. | the arm or a signal flaa repeatedly, in order to attract your | attention. If you ignore, or dc not observe, such repeated signals It may be necessary for the Coast Guard craft to fire blank warning shots. If these fail to produce any 'esult. the Coast Guard vessel is then justified in firing warning 'hots, well clear of the fleeing craft. md in assuming that she is en- ieayoring to escape.
 As soon as you observe signal, rom Coast Guard vessel, callinp 'ou to stop, do so promptly. You VIII be delayed the minimum time o establish your identity and in- locent occupation There is no l.