2023 New York Laws › NAV - Navigation › Article 4 - Vessels › Part 1 - Vessels, General › 41 - Pilot Rules.

§ 41. Pilot  rules.  The  following  rules  shall  be  observed on all
mechanically propelled vessels on the navigable waters of the state  and
all tidewaters bordering on or lying within the boundaries of Nassau and
Suffolk  counties: 1.   Signals. The signals for passing, by the blowing
of the whistle, shall at all times be given by the master as defined  in
this act.
(a)  One distinct blast of the whistle shall mean: "I direct my course
to starboard"; except when two vessels are  approaching  each  other  at
right  angles  or  obliquely, when it shall signify the intention of the
vessel which is to starboard of the other to hold course and speed.
(b) Two distinct blasts of the whistle shall mean: "I direct my course
to port."
(c) Three distinct blasts of the whistle shall mean: "My  engines  are
going at full speed astern."
(d)  Four distinct blasts of the whistle shall mean: "I am in distress
and need your assistance."
(e) Five or more distinct blasts of the whistle shall  constitute  the
"danger signal."
(f)  It  shall  be  forbidden to use what has become technically known
among pilots as "cross-signals"; that is answering one whistle with two,
or two whistles with one.
(g) When a vessel is under way in a fog, mist, falling snow, or  heavy
rain  storm, it shall be the duty of the master to cause a long blast of
the whistle to be sounded at intervals not exceeding  one  minute.  When
towing  other vessels the long blast of the whistle shall be followed by
two short blasts. Such vessel shall proceed at a moderate speed and with
caution,  having  careful  regard  to  the  existing  circumstances  and
conditions.
(h) The master of a vessel, when at anchor during a fog, mist, falling
snow  or  heavy  rain  storm,  shall,  at intervals of not more than one
minute, ring a bell rapidly or sound other  warning  signals  for  about
five seconds.
2.  Positions.  (a)  When vessels are approaching each other "head and
head," that is, end on or nearly so, it shall be the  duty  of  each  to
pass  on  the port side of the other, and either vessel shall give, as a
signal of her intention, one distinct blast on her  whistle,  which  the
other  vessel  shall  answer  promptly  with  one  similar  blast of her
whistle.
(b) When vessels are approaching each other and the  courses  of  such
vessels  are  so  far  to  the  starboard  of  each  other  as not to be
considered to be meeting head on  or  nearly  so,  either  vessel  shall
immediately  give  two  distinct  blasts of her whistle, which the other
shall answer promptly with two similar blasts of her whistle,  and  they
shall pass on the starboard side of each other.
(c)  When  vessels  are  approaching  each  other  at "right angles or
obliquely" so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has  the
other on her own port side shall hold her course and speed, and shall so
signify with one distinct blast of her whistle; and the vessel which has
the  other  on  her  own starboard side shall keep out of the way of the
other by directing her course to starboard so as to cross the  stern  of
the other vessel, or, if necessary to do so, shall slacken her speed, or
stop or reverse.
(d)  When  vessels  are  running  in the same direction and the vessel
which is astern shall desire to pass on the starboard side of the vessel
ahead, she shall give one distinct blast of her whistle as the signal of
such desire, and if the vessel ahead answers with one similar  blast  of
her  whistle,  she  shall pass to the starboard; or if the vessel astern
shall desire to pass on the port side of the  vessel  ahead,  she  shall

give two distinct blasts of her whistle as a signal of such desire, and,
if  the vessel ahead answers with two similar blasts of the whistle, she
shall pass to the port; but if the vessel ahead does not think  it  safe
for  the  vessel  astern  to  pass  at that point, she shall immediately
signify the same by giving five or more rapid blasts of her whistle (the
danger signal), and under  no  circumstances  shall  the  vessel  astern
attempt  to pass the vessel ahead until such time as they have reached a
point where it can be safely done, when said vessel ahead shall  signify
her willingness by blowing the proper signal, which shall be answered by
the vessel astern. Neither vessel shall in any case attempt to cross the
bow or to crowd upon the course of the other vessel.
(e) If when vessels are approaching each other head and head, that is,
end  on  or nearly so, (as per subdivision (a) and (b)) or crossing each
other's courses, (as per subdivision (c)), or desire to pass each  other
(as  per  subdivision (d)), either vessel fails to understand the course
or intention of the other, from any cause, the vessel so in doubt  shall
immediately  signify the same by giving five or more rapid blasts of her
whistle, (the danger signal), and both vessels  shall  immediately  slow
their  speed,  or stop or reverse, as required to avoid collision, until
proper signals have been given, answered and understood,  or  until  the
vessels have passed each other.
(f)  When  a mechanically propelled vessel shall meet a sailing vessel
proceeding in such direction  as  to  involve  risk  of  collision,  the
sailing vessel shall have the right of way. It shall be incumbent on the
master  of  the sailing vessel to keep a vigilant lookout and change her
course, if necessary, to avoid any danger.
(g) In narrow channels, every  vessel  shall,  when  it  is  safe  and
practicable,  keep to that side of the fairway or mid-channel which lies
on the starboard side of such vessel.
3. Aid in distress. It shall be the duty of every master or  pilot  of
any  vessel  to  render  such  assistance as he can possibly give to any
other vessel coming under his  observation  and  being  in  distress  on
account of accident, collision or otherwise.
4. Construing rules. In obeying and construing these rules, due regard
shall  be  had  to  all  dangers of navigation and collision, and to any
special circumstances which may render a departure from the above  rules
necessary in order to avoid immediate danger.
5.  Application. The rules of this section shall apply to all vessels,
public and pleasure, propelled by machinery on the navigable  waters  of
the state and all tidewaters bordering on or lying within the boundaries
of Nassau and Suffolk counties.
6.  Commissioner  may modify. The commissioner is hereby authorized to
modify, change or expand the pilot rules as set forth in this section if
necessary to make them comply or be uniform with the provisions  of  the
federal  navigation law, or of the navigation rules and regulations made
by the United States coast guard.
7. A violation of any provision of this  section  shall  constitute  a
violation  punishable  as  set  forth in section seventy-three-c of this
article.