Rules of the Road at Sea
Rules of the Road at Sea
THE rules governing the direction which ships may take at sea are very clearly defined by the international laws of all maritime countries, and when violated by masters of either steam or sailing vessels, are very drastically punished. If a collision occurs by disregarding the rule of the road at sea, the ship so doing is held responsible for all damage, and in case, as it sometimes happens, lives are sacrificed, the master of the ship at fault is tried before the court of the country in whose jurisdiction the casualty happens for manslaughter, and punished as a common criminal. For these reasons, “Rules of the Road” as they are termed, are strictly followed by most navigators.
When a ship is at sea, the officer in charge of the deck is usually expected to keep a brightlookout. A following ship must always keep clear of a ship ahead. If the weather is foggy the steam whistle is periodically blown. But foggy or clear, good weather or bad, at sundown all lights are in their places and the lookout man takes his stand in the crows nest. The lights of a steamer at sea, electricity being now much used, are a white light on the foremast head, a green light on the starboard bow or bridge, and a red light on the port, all of which have clearly defined significations, and to the initiated speak a plain language, which is thus poetically put by some ancient nautical genius.
At sea, two steamships meeting:—
“When all three lights I see ahead,I port my helm and show my red.”
“When all three lights I see ahead,I port my helm and show my red.”
“When all three lights I see ahead,
I port my helm and show my red.”
Two steamships passing:—
“Green to green or red to red.Perfect safety, go ahead.”
“Green to green or red to red.Perfect safety, go ahead.”
“Green to green or red to red.
Perfect safety, go ahead.”
Two steamships crossing:—
“If to my starboard, red appear,It is my duty to keep clearTo act as judgment says is proper;To port, or starboard, back or stop her.But when upon my port is seenA steamer’s starboard light of green,There’s naught for me to do but see,That green to port, keeps clear of me.Both in safety and in doubt,I always keep a bright lookout;In danger, with no room to turn,I ease her, stop her, go a-stern.”
“If to my starboard, red appear,It is my duty to keep clearTo act as judgment says is proper;To port, or starboard, back or stop her.But when upon my port is seenA steamer’s starboard light of green,There’s naught for me to do but see,That green to port, keeps clear of me.Both in safety and in doubt,I always keep a bright lookout;In danger, with no room to turn,I ease her, stop her, go a-stern.”
“If to my starboard, red appear,It is my duty to keep clearTo act as judgment says is proper;To port, or starboard, back or stop her.
“If to my starboard, red appear,
It is my duty to keep clear
To act as judgment says is proper;
To port, or starboard, back or stop her.
But when upon my port is seenA steamer’s starboard light of green,There’s naught for me to do but see,That green to port, keeps clear of me.
But when upon my port is seen
A steamer’s starboard light of green,
There’s naught for me to do but see,
That green to port, keeps clear of me.
Both in safety and in doubt,I always keep a bright lookout;In danger, with no room to turn,I ease her, stop her, go a-stern.”
Both in safety and in doubt,
I always keep a bright lookout;
In danger, with no room to turn,
I ease her, stop her, go a-stern.”
For sailing vessels, the rule of the road is:—
“On starboard tack, with yards braced tight,See that your red and green are bright,For every ship that’s in your way,Must clear your track both night and day.But if on the port tack you steer,Stand by! for you must then keep clearOf every close hauled ship ahead,No matter whether green or red.”
“On starboard tack, with yards braced tight,See that your red and green are bright,For every ship that’s in your way,Must clear your track both night and day.But if on the port tack you steer,Stand by! for you must then keep clearOf every close hauled ship ahead,No matter whether green or red.”
“On starboard tack, with yards braced tight,See that your red and green are bright,For every ship that’s in your way,Must clear your track both night and day.
“On starboard tack, with yards braced tight,
See that your red and green are bright,
For every ship that’s in your way,
Must clear your track both night and day.
But if on the port tack you steer,Stand by! for you must then keep clearOf every close hauled ship ahead,No matter whether green or red.”
But if on the port tack you steer,
Stand by! for you must then keep clear
Of every close hauled ship ahead,
No matter whether green or red.”