PUBLIC LAWS-CH. 328-MAY 21, 1948 Publication. Penalty for pilots, etc. Infra. Penalty for vessels. Navigation rules for Mississippi River, etc. mentioned in this subsection, which rules shall, where practicable, be kept posted up in conspicuous places thereon. "(b) Except in an emergency, before any rules or any alteration, amendment, or repeal thereof, are established by the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard under the provisions of this section, the said Commandant shall publish such rules, alterations, amend- ments, and repeals, and public hearings shall be held with respect thereto before the Coast Guard Merchant Marine Council on such notice as the Commandant deems reasonable under the circumstances. "SEC. 3 . That every pilot, engineer, mate, or master of any steam vessel, as defined in rule numbered 1, and every master or mate of any barge or canal boat, who neglects or refuses to observe the provisions of this Act, or the regulations established in pursuance of the preceding section shall be liable to a penalty of one hundred dollars, and for all damages sustained by any passenger in his person or baggage by such neglect or refusal: Provided, That nothing herein shall relieve any vessel, owner, or corporation from any liability incurred by reason of such neglect or refusal. "SEC. 4 . That every vessel that shall be navigated without comply- ing with the provisions of this Act shall be liable to a penalty of two hundred dollars, one-half to go to the informer, for which sum the vessel so navigated shall be liable and may be seized and proceeded against by action in any district court of the United States having jurisdiction of the offense." SEC. 4 . Section 4233 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, as amended (U. S . C., 1940 edition, title 33, sec. 301 and the following) is amended to read as follows: "SEC. 4233. The following regulations for preventing collisions shall be followed by all vessels upon the waters of the Mississippi River between its source and the Huey P. Long Bridge and all of the tributaries emptying thereinto and their tributaries, and that part of the Atchafalaya River above its junction with the Plaquemine-Morgan City alternate waterway, and the waters of the Mobile River above Choctaw point and all of its tributaries, and the Red River of the North; and are hereby declared special rules duly made by local authority: "I-PRELIMINARY DEFINITIONS "RULE NUMBERED 1. In the following rules every steam vessel which is under sail and not under power is to be considered a sailing vessel, and every vessel under power, whether under sail or not, is to be considered a steam vessel. "Steam vessel." "The words 'steam vessel' shall include any vessel propelled by machinery. "Under way." "A vessel is 'under way' within the meaning of these rules when she is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground. "Visible." "The word 'visible' in these rules, when applied to lights, shall mean visible on a dark night with a clear atmosphere. "Distinct blast." "The words 'distinct blast' in these rules, when applied to whistle signals shall mean a clearly audible blast of any length. "II-LIGHTS, AND SO FORTH Lights on vessel towing another. "RtEE NUMBERED 2. The rules concerning lights shall be complied with in all weathers from sunset to sunrise, and during such time no other lights which may be mistaken for the prescribed lights, or impair their visibility, shall be exhibited. "RULE NUMBERED 3. A steam vessel when towing another vessel or vessels alongside or by pushing ahead shall carry- "(a) On the starboard side a green light so constructed and fixed as to show the light from ahead and not more than half a [62 STAT. 250
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