DIXON KEMP
Manual of Yacht and Boat Sailing and
Architecture
(11th and final edition, 1913)
R.
- R Class.-- The expression that a yacht is
classed R, or the letter R placed against a yacht's
name, denotes that she has been built to the
special class "R" at Lloyd's or a foreign
classification society, and that she is of sound
and seaworthy construction. Lloyd's Register of
Shipping established a new class "R" for yachts of
the international rating classes in 1906, and over
600 yachts have now been classed R ; before 1906
the only yacht class was A. (See "A1," and also
'Yacht Register" and "Rules.")
- Rabbet or Rebate.-- An angular channel or
groove cut in the keel, stem, or sternpost, &c.
to receive the edges or ends of the plank.
- Race.-- A competition between yachts. A strong
current or tide running over an uneven bottom
producing overfalls. (See "Overfalls.")
- Racing Flags.-- The size of racing flags will
be found under the head of "Flags."
- Racking.-- A rope or seizing used to lash the
parts of a tackle together, by taking several
turns, so as to keep them from running through the
blocks, whilst the fall is cast off for some
purpose, or whilst one hand belays the fall made
fast to some fixture by one end and then passed
round and round a rope to hold the latter by.
- Raffee.-- A square topsail set flying on the
foretopmast of schooners, and formerly often set on
cutters and ketches above the squaresail. Sometimes
this topsail is triangular in shape, like a
scraper.
- Rail.-- The timber fitted on to the heads of
the bulwark stanchions. Called also "top
rail."
- Rainbow Fashion.-- A ship dressed with flags
from the jibboom end over the trucks to the
taffrail.
- Raising Iron.-- A sort of chisel for removing ;
the paying and caulking from seams.
- Raising Tacks and Sheets.-- To lift the clews
of lower square sails before tacking or
wearing.
- Rake.-- To lean forward or aft from the
vertical, as raking masts, raking sternposts,
raking stem, &c.
- Rakish.-- A vessel that has a look of speed
about her, probably originating from the fast
schooners of former days that had raking
masts.
- Ramp.-- In close-hauled sailing, to sail a
vessel along a heavy full without easing up the
sheets.
- Ramping Full.-- Every sail bellying, full of
wind--not too close-hauled.
- Range.-- Scope. To range is to sheer about when
at anchor; to range the cable, to place a lot on
deck in fakes ready for veering out.-- To give a
range of cable is to veer out enough in letting go
the anchor to bring the vessel up without causing
much strain to come on the bitts.-- To go near to,
as to range up to windward, to range up alongside,
&c.
- Rap Full.-- The same as ramping full.
-
- Rate of a Chronometer.--
- The daily loss or gain of a chronometer in
relation to mean time.
-
- Rater.-- A term used to imply a small yacht or
boat of the type commonly in vogue in the smaller
classes of the Yacht Racing Association. Hence
8-metre yachts, 7-metres, and 6-metres' may be
called "raters" ; 18ft., 24ft., and 36ft. linear
rating yachts were called "raters." The word had
its origin under the first rating rule, from 1887
to 1895, and was applied to "half-raters,"
"1-raters," "2-1/2-raters," and "5-raters." It can
only be regarded as a slang term (See also "Metre
Boat.")
-
- Rating Rules.-- See under "Time Allowance" and
"Tonnage."
-
- Ratlines or Ratlins.-- The small lines which
cross the shrouds horizontally, and form the rungs
of a ladder. Not generally used in yachts of 40
tons and under.
-
- Rattle Down.-- To fix ratlines to the
shrouds.
-
- Reaching.--
- Sailing by or along the wind. A "reach" is the
distance sailed between tacks, and means the same
as board. To "reach" another vessel is to pass her.
In reaching a schooner of 150 tons, say, will pass
a cutter of 100 tons; that is, will "fore-reach"
her, hat the cutter holding a better wind will
generally keep the weather gauge. A" reach" is a
distance a yacht can sail from point to point
without tacking, and may he sailed with sheets
eased up. Broad reach is with the boom well off the
quarter. A reach is also the distance from bend to
bend in a river or channel. Sailors mostly
pronounce the word "ratching." (See "Head Reach,"
and "Fore Reach.")
-
- Ready About !--The order given to prepare for
tacking.
-
- Ready, All !--Everybody make ready.
-
- Rear Commodore.--
- The third flag officer of a yacht. club, who
has no duties in the presence of the Commodore or
Vice-Commodore. He has two white balls in the upper
corner of his pennant.
-
- Receiver of Wrecks.--
- An officer to whom in case of damage or wreck
the facts must be reported.
-
- Recognised Yacht Club.--
- A club included in the' list of "Recognised
Yacht Clubs" published in the year book of the
Yacht Racing Association for the current year, or a
club recognised by one of the National Authorities
forming the International Yacht Racing Union. A
term very frequently used by yachtsmen. Formerly it
was a general condition that "a member of a Royal
yacht club shall be on board" each yacht competing
in a match, who is responsible for the due
observance of the sailing rules. Often the r ale
required that a member of the particular club under
whose auspices the match was being sailed should be
on board. All clubs, however, have not the right to
be styled "royal," and the word "recognised" yacht
club became introduced as an equivalent for
"royal." Since the establishment of the Yacht
Racing Association the term "recognised" is alone
contained in the rules. No one seems to have known
exactly what "recognised" meant, but the terms
"Recognised Yacht Club" and "Recognised Sailing
Club" are now synonymous, and their definition is
now generally accepted by yachtsmen as it is given
above.
-
- The term conveys the implication that the yacht
club or sailing club is one of high repute, and
that it does not admit professional skippers or
yacht hands to its membership; generally all
"Royal" yacht clubs and those holding Admiralty
Warrants are "Recognised." On the other hand, there
are several "Recognised" clubs on the list of high
repute which are not "Royal" clubs, and which do
not hold an Admiralty Warrant.
-
- A club desirous of obtaining recognition by the
Y.R.A. should make an application to the Secretary
of that body. The application must he supported by
a member of the Y.R.A., and accompanied by a book
of the applicant club's rules and a list of their
members. A club, when recognised by the Y.R.A.,
must pay a subscription of 2£ 2s. per annum to
that body, and is entitled to representation on the
Y.R.A.
-
- Reef.--
- To shorten sail by reefing. Also to shorten a
spar, as to take a reef in the bowsprit.
-
- Reef Band.-- A strip of canvas sewn across the
sail in which the eyelet holes are worked to
receive the reef points. Not always met with in
yacht sails.
-
- Reef Cringles.-- The large cringles in the
leeches of sails through which the reef pendants
are rove and tacks or sheets hooked.
-
- Reef Earing .-- See "Reef Pendant."
-
- Reefing Gear.-- See page 413.
-
- Reef Knot.-- "Seamanship," farther back.
-
- Reef Pendant (called also "reef
earing").--
- A short and strong rope (with a Matthew Walker
knot in one end). One end of the pendant is passed
up through a hole in the cleat on one side of the
boom and stopped by the knot in the end. The other
end is then passed through the reef cringle in the
sail and down through the sheave hole on the other
side of the boom. Reef pendants are rove on
opposite sides.
-
- Reef Points.--
- Short pieces of rope attached to sails to
secure the folds rolled up when reefing.
-
- Reef Tackle.-- The tackle hooked to the reef
pendants.
-
- Reeve.-- To put a rope through a hole of any
kind.
-
- Register.--
- A certificate of a vessel's register granted by
the Board of Trade and registered by the
Registrar.General of Shipping. It is not a document
of title of ownership.
-
- Registry.--
- A register of all British ships kept by the
Registrar-General of Shipping. When a ship is
registered, the following documents must be
produced: (1) Certificate of Board of Trade
measuring officer. (2) Certificate of Board of
Trade Surveyor; in the case of yachts this
certificate is not required. (3) Builder's
certificate, or, if the builder's certificate
cannot be obtained, a document setting forth all
that is known of the vessel. (4) Declaration of
ownership. All vessels, yachts, or otherwise of 15
tons N.M. and over must be registered. Yachts,
however, of less than 15 tons can be registered,
and it is advisable to have them so registered for
the sake of holding the certificate of register,
obtaining the Admiralty. warrant, and being able to
prove nationality when visiting foreign ports. The
name of a vessel once registered cannot be altered
except with the sanction of the Board of Trade. A
certificate of registry is a mere copy of the
register kept at the port of registry, and of
itself is not a document of title. A quantity of
useful information on the registry of ships will be
found in a book by Messrs. C.F. Jemmett and R.A.B.
Preston. entitled "A Treatise on the Law Relating
to Pleasure Yachts," published by Sweet and
Maxwell, 3 Chancery-lane, London, W.C.
-
- Render.--
- To slacken or ease up. A rope is said to render
when it slackens up or slips from a belaying pin or
cavel.
-
- Resistance.--
- According to Beaufoy, a plane moved normally at
a rate of 10ft. per second meets with a resistance
of 112.5lb. per square foot. The resistance varies
as the square of the velocity at low speeds.
Generally understood to mean the resistance a
vessel meets with from the friction of the water on
her skin and from the waves she makes.
-
- Ribbands.--
- Long pieces of plank or timber, usually
three-sided, and sometimes called harpings, secured
to the frames of a vessel in a fore-and-aft
direction, when she is building, and representing
the dividing lines or geodetic lines.
-
- Ribs.-- The frames or timbers of a ship or
boat.
-
- Ride.-- To rest at anchor or to be held by an
anchor.
-
- Ridge Ropes.-- The ropes rove through the eyes
of metal stanchions fitted in the top rail.
-
- Riding Down.-- When men go aloft and hang on
the halyards and assist by their weight in hoisting
sails.
-
- Riding Light.--
- The white globular lantern hung on the forestay
of vessels when riding at anchor. (See ' Rule of
the Road Rules Concerning Lights.")
-
- Riding Turn.--
- When the last turn of a rope crosses or rides
over the previous torn on a bollard &c. to jam
it.
- Rig.--
- The arrangement of a vessel's spars, rigging,
and sails, as schooner rig, cutter rig, lugger rig,
&c. To rig is to fit the spars with rigging,
&c. To rig out is to fit out.
-
- Right Away.--
- In the direction of. An American term for
quickly out of hand, or move ahead.
-
- Right Hand Rope.-- Rope laid up or twisted with
the sun.
-
- Right, to.-- To bring a vessel back to the
upright position after she has been heeled.
-
- Ring Bolt.-- A bolt with an eye and a ring
through the eye.
-
- Ring Tail.-- The studding sail of a gaff
sail.
-
- Rings.-- Brass or yellow metal rings used in
place of rooves for bolt clinching.
-
- Rising Floor.--
- Distinct from fiat floored or fiat bottomed ;
sharp bottomed. (See "Dead Rise.")
- Risings.-- Stringers fitted inside small heats
to strengthen them and support the thwarts.
-
- Roach.--
- The curved part of the foot of a sail :
formerly the allowance made for the bellying of a
sail.
-
- Roadstead.-- An open anchorage.
-
- Roaring Calm.-- An Equatorial calm.
-
- Roaring Forties.--
- This term originated with the tearing winds
which blow in the South Atlantic between lat.
30û and 50û S.
-
- Rockered Keel.-- A keel whose ends curve
upwards thus \_/ (See "Cambered.")
-
- Rolling.-- The transverse motions of a ship
when amongst waves.
-
- Room and Space.--
- The distance from the centre of one frame to
the centre of another.
-
- Roove.-- See "Ruff."
-
- Rope.--
- Ropes are of three kinds; three-strand,
four-strand, and cable-laid. A number of yarns
twisted together forms a strand. Three-strand rope
(see Fig. 85) is laid righthanded, or with the sun
(sometimes termed hawser-laid). Four-strand rope
(see Fig. 86) is also laid with the sun (sometimes
termed strand-laid). Four-strand rope is
usually
-
- FIG 85
- FIG 86
- FIG 87
-
- used for sheets and shrouds, pendants, and
generally for standing rigging. All rope comes
under the general term of cordage. Cable-laid rope
(see Fig. 87) consists of three ""three-strand'
right-hand laid ropes laid up together into one
these ropes are laid left-handed against the sun.
Right-hand laid rope must be coiled with the son ;
cable-laid rope is coiled against the sun.
-
- Rough-tree Rail.-- The top rail fitted to the
stanchion above the bulwarks.
-
- Round In.-- To haul in on a rope.
-
- Round To.--
- To bring by the wind. To come up head to wind.
A vessel is said to "'go round , when she goes
about.
-
- Rowed Turn.--
- To pass a rope twice round a pin or cleat so as
to make a complete circle.
-
- Rove.--
- The condition of a n rope that has been passed
through a sheave hole or through any aperture.
- Rowlocks.--
- The fittings on the gunwale to receive the
tholes or crutches for the oars.
-
- Royal.-- The sail next above the topgallant
sail.
-
- Royal Standard.--
- The flag of the Sovereign nod Royal family. It
is always flown at the main. When the Sovereign is
on board, the standard is flown at the main, and
the Admiralty flag (a red ground with fouled
anchor) at the fore, and Union Jack at the
mizen.
-
- Royal Yacht Club.--
- A club which has obtained permission from the
Home Office to use the prefix "Royal.' - An
Admiralty warrant obtained from the Admiralty does
not confer the title; but a Royal yacht club that
has not also the Admiralty warrant can only fly the
red ensign, and this can have no device. A club
with an Admiralty warrant takes precedence of a
club which has only a Royal warrant. (See
"Recognised Club.")
-
- Rudder Trunk.--
- The trunk fitted in the counter to receive the
rudder post into which the tiller is fitted.
- Ruff or Roove.-- A small, slightly conical ring
of copper placed over boat nails before clinching
in boat building.
-
- Rules of the Road .--
- Every yachtsman should have some knowledge of
the Rule of the Road at Sea so that he may know the
"Right of Way." The beginner should first of all
commit to memory the following four verses by the
late Mr. Thomas Gray, C.B. :-
- 1. Two Steam Ships meeting
- When both side Lights you see ahead
- Port your helm, and show your RED.
- 2. Two Steam Ships passing.
- GREEN to GREEN or, RED to RED-
- Perfect safety-Go ahead !
- 3. Two Steam Ships crossing
- Note.-This is the position of greatest danger;
there is nothing for it but good look-out,
caution)on, and judgment.
- If to your starboard RED appear,
- It is your duty to keep clear:
- To act as judgment says is proper;
- To Port-or Starboard-Back-or, Stop her!
- But when upon your Port is seen
- A Steamer's Starboard Light of GREEN,
- There's not so much for you to do,
- For GREEN to Port keeps clear of you.
- 4. All Ships must keep a good leek-out.
- Both in safety and in doubt.
- Always keep a good look-out;
- In danger, with no room to turn,
- Ease her! Stop her! Go astern!
- The next thing for the yachtsman to remember is
never to put to sea without having on board
"Lloyd's Calendar" for the current year; this book,
price is., published at Lloyds, Royal Exchange,
E.C., gives fully the regulations at present in
force (under the Merchant Shipping Act) for
preventing collisions at sea. These Rules were
revised by an Order in Council on Oct. 13, 1910.
The following are the chief Steering and Sailing
Rules under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1913.
- SCHEDULE I.
- PRELIMINARY
- These Rules shall be followed by all vessels
upon the high seas and in all waters connected
therewith, navigable by sea-going vessels.
- In the following Rules every steam vessel which
is under sail and not under steam is to be
considered a sailing vessel, and every vessel under
steam, whether under sail or not, is to be
considered a steam vessel.
- The words "steam vessel" shall include any
vessel propelled by machinery.
- Rules of the Rood-continued.
- 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.
- RULES CONCERNING LIGHTS, &c.
- The word "visible" in these rules, when applied
to lights, shall mean visible on a dark night with
a clear atmosphere.
- Art. 1. The rules concerning lights shall he
complied with in all weathers from sunset to
sunrise, and during such time no other lights which
may be mistaken for the prescribed lights shall be
exhibited.
- Art. 2. A steam vessel when under way shall
carry :
- (a.) On or in front of the foremast, or if a
vessel without a foremast, then in the fore part of
the vessel, at a height above the hull of not less
than 20ft and if the breadth of the vessel exceeds
20ft., then at a height above the hull not less
than such breadth, so, however, that the light need
not he carried at a greater height above the hull
than 40ft, a bright white light, so constructed as
to show an unbroken light over an arc of the
horizon of 20 points of the compass, so fixed as to
throw the light 10 points on each side of the
vessel, viz., from right ahead to 2 points abaft
the beam on either side, and of such a character as
to be visible at a distance of at least five
miles.
- (b.) On the starboard side a green light so
constructed as to show an unbroken light over an
arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass, so
fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2
points abaft the beam on either side, and of such a
character as to he visible at a distance of at
least two miles.
- (C.) On the port side a red light so
constructed as to show an unbroken light over an
arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass, so
fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2
points abaft the beam on the port side, end of such
a character as to be visible at a distance of at
least two miles.
- (d.) The said green and red side lights shall
be fitted with inboard screens projecting at least
3ft. forward from the light, so as to prevent these
lights from being seen across the bow.
- (e.) A steam vessel when under way 'nay carry
an additional white light similar in construction
to the light mentioned in subdivision (o). These
two lights shall be so placed in line with the keel
that one shall be at least 15ft. higher than the
other, and in such a position with reference to
each other that the lower light shall be forward of
the upper one. The vertical distance between these
lights shall be less than the horizontal
distance.
- Art. 3. A steam vessel when towing another
vessel shall, in addition to her side lights. carry
two bright white lights in a vertical line one over
the other, not less than 6ft. apart, and when
towing more than one vessel shall carry an
additional bright white light 6ft. above or below
such lights, if the length of the tow, measuring
from the stern of the towing vessel to the stern of
the last vessel towed, exceeds 600ft. Each of these
lights shall be of the same construction and
character, and shall be carried in the same
position as the white light mentioned in Article 2
(o), except the additional light, which may be
carried at a height of not less than 14ft. above
the bull.
- Such steam vessel may carry a small white light
abaft the funnel or aftermast for the vessel towed
to steer by, but such light shall not be visible
forward of the beam.
- Art. 4. (o.) A vessel which from any accident
15 not under command, shall carry at the same
height as the white light mentioned in Article 2
(e), where they can best be seen, and, if a steam
vessel, in lieu of that light, two red lights, in a
vertical line one over the other, not less than
6ft. apart, and of such a character as to be
visible all round the horizon at a distance of at
least two miles and shall by day carry in a
vertical line one over the other, not less than
6ft. apart, where they can best be seen, two black
balls or shapes. each 2ft. in diameter.
- (b.) A vessel employed in laying or in picking
up a telegraph cable shall carry in the same
position as the white light mentioned in Article 2
(a), and, if a steam vessel, in lieu of that light,
three lights in a vertical line one over the other,
not less than 6ft. apart. The highest and lowest of
these lights shall he red, and the middle light
shall be white, and they shall be of such a
character as to be visible all round the horizon,
at a distance of at least two miles. By day she
shall carry in a vertical line one over the other,
not less than 6ft. apart, where they can best be
seen, three shapes not less than 2ft. in diameter,
of which the highest and lowest shall be globular
in shape and red in colour, and the middle one
diamond in shape and white.
- (C.) The vessels referred to in this Article,
when not making way through the water, shall not
carry the side lights, but when making way shall
carry them.
- (d.) The lights and shapes required to be shown
by this Article are to be taken by other vessels as
signals that the vessel showing them is not under
command and cannot therefore get out of the
way.
- These signals are not signals of vessels in
distress and requiring assistance. Such signals are
contained in Article 31.
- Art. 5. A sailing vessel under way, and any
vessel being towed, shall carry the same lights as
are prescribed by Article 2 for a steam vessel
under way, with the exception of the white lights
mentioned therein, which they shall never
carry.
- Art. 6. Whenever, as in the case of small
vessels under way during bad weather, the green and
red side lights cannot be fixed, these lights shall
he kept at hand lighted and ready for use; and
shall, on the approach of or to other vessels, be
exhibited on their respective sides in sufficient
time to prevent Collision, in such manner as to
make them visible, and so that the green light
shall not be seen on the port side nor the red
light on the starboard side, nor, if practicable,
more than 2 points abaft the beam on their
respective sides.
- To make the use of these portable lights more
certain and easy, the lanterns containing them
shall each be painted outside with the colour of
the light they respectively contain, and shall be
provided with proper screens.
- Art. 7. Steam vessels of less than 40, and
vessels under oars or sails of less than 20. tons
gross tonnage, respectively, and rowing boats, when
under way, shall not be obliged to carry the lights
mentioned in Article 2 (a) (b) and (C), but if they
do not carry them they shall be provided with the
following lights.
- 1. Steam vessels of less than 40 tons shall
carry:
- (a.) In the fore part of the vessel, or on or
in front of the funnel, where it can best be seen,
and at a height above the gunwale of not less than
9ft a bright white light constructed and fixed as
prescribed in Article 2 (a), and of such a
character as to be visible at a distance of at
least two miles.
- (b.) Green and red side-lights constructed and
fixed as prescribed in Article 2 (b) and (C), and
of such a character as to be visible at a distance
of at least one mile, or a combined lantern showing
a green light and a red light from right ahead to 2
points abaft the beam on their respective sides.
Such lantern shall be carried not less than 3ft.
below the white light.
- 2. Small steamboats, such as are carried by
sea-going vessels, may carry the white light at a
less height than 9ft above the gunwale, but it
shall be carried above the combined lantern,
mentioned in sub-division 1 (b).
- 3. Vessels under oars or sails, of less than 20
tons, shall have ready at hand a lantern with a
green glass on one side and a red glass on the
other, which, on the approach of or to other
vessels, shall be exhibited in sufficient time to
prevent collision, so that the green light shall
not be seen on the port side nor the red light on
the starboard side.
- 4. Rowing boats, whether under oars or sail,
shall have ready at hand a
- lantern showing a white light, which shall be
temporarily exhibited in sufficient time to prevent
collision.
- The vessels referred to in this Article shall
not be obliged to carry the lights prescribed by
Article 4 (a), and Article 11, last paragraph.
- Art. 8. Pilot vessels, when engaged on their
station on pilotage duty, shall not show the lights
required for other vessels, but shall carry a white
light at the masthead, visible all round the
horizon, and shall also exhibit a flare-up light or
flare-up lights at short intervals, which shall
never exceed fifteen minutes.
- On the near approach of or to other vessels
they shall have their side-lights lighted, ready
for use, and shall flash or show them at short
intervals, to indicate the direction in which they
are heading, but the green light shall not be shown
on the port side, nor the red light on the
starboard side.
- A pilot vessel of such a class as to be obliged
to go alongside of a vessel to put a pilot on
board, may show the white light instead of carrying
it at the masthead, and may, instead of the
coloured lights above mentioned, have at hand ready
for use a lantern with a green glass on the one
side and a red glass on the other, to be used as
prescribed above.
- A Steam Pilot vessel exclusively employed for
the service of Pilots licensed or certified by any
Pilotage authority or the Committee of any Pilotage
District in the United Kingdom when engaged on her
station on pilotage duty and in British waters and
not at anchor shall in addition to the lights
required for all Pilot boats carry at a distance of
eight feet below her White Masthead light a red
light visible all round the horizon and of such a
character as to be visible on a dark night with a
clear atmosphere at a distance of at least 2 miles
and also the coloured side lights required to be
carried by vessels when under way.
- When engaged on her station on pilotage duty
and in British waters and at anchor she shall carry
in addition to the lights required for all Pilot
boats the red light above mentioned but not the
coloured side lights.
- When not engaged on her station on pilotage
duty she shall carry the same lights as other steam
vessels.
- Pilot vessels when not engaged on their station
on pilotage duty, shall carry lights similar to
those of other vessels of their tonnage.
- FISHING VESSELS AND BOATS.
- Art. 9. Fishing vessels and fishing boats, when
under way and when not required by this Article to
carry or show the lights hereinafter specified,
shall carry or show the lights prescribed for
vessels of their tonnage under way.
- (a.) Open boats, by which is to be understood
boats not protected from the
- Rules of the Reed continued.
- entry of sea water by means of a continuous
deck, when engaged in any fishing at night, with
outlying tackle extending not more than 150 feet
horizontally from the boat into the seaway, shall
carry one all-round white light.
- Open boats, when fishing at night, with
outlying tackle extending more than 150 feet
horizontally from the boat into the seaway, shall
carry one all-round white light, and in addition,
on approaching or being approached by other
vessels, shall show a second white light at least 3
feet below the first light and at a horizontal
distance of at least 5 feet away from it in the
direction in which the outlying tackle is
attached.
- (b.) Vessels and boats, except open boats as
defined in sub-division (o), when fishing with
drift nets, shall, so long as the nets are wholly
or partly in the water, carry two white lights
where they can best be seen. Such lights shall be
placed so that the vertical distance between them
shall not he less than 6 feet and not more than 15
feet, and so that the horizontal distance between
them, measured in a line with the keel, shall be
not less than 5 feet and not more than 10 feet. The
lower of these two lights shall be in the direction
of the nets, and both of them shall be of such a
character as to show all round the horizon, and to
be visible at a distance of not less than 3
miles.
- Within the Mediterranean Sea and in the seas
bordering the coasts of Japan and Korea sailing
fishing vessels of less than 20 tons gross tonnage
shall not be obliged to carry the lower of these
two lights; should they, however, not carry it,
they shall show in the same position (in the
direction of the net or gear) a white light,
visible at a distance of not less than one sea
mile, on the approach of or to other vessels.
- (c.) Vessels and boats, except open boats as
defined in sub-division (a), when line fishing with
their lines out and attached to or hauling their
lines, and when not at anchor or stationary within
the meaning of sub-division (h), shall carry the
same lights as vessels fishing with drift-nets.
When shooting lines, or fishing with towing lines,
they shall carry the lights prescribed for a steam
or sailing vessel under way respectively.
- Within the Mediterranean Sea and in the seas
bordering the coasts of Japan and Korea sailing
fishing vessels of less than 20 tons gross tonnage
shall not he obliged to carry the lower of these
two lights; should they, however, not carry it,
they shall show in
- the same position (in the direction of the
lines) a white light, visible at a distance of not
less than one sea mile on the approach of or to
other vessels.
- (d.) Vessels, when engaged in trawling, by
which is meant the dragging of an apparatus along
the bottom of the sea-
- 1. If steam vessels, shall carry in the same
position as the white light mentioned in Article 2
(e), a tricoloured lantern so constructed and fixed
as to show a white light from right ahead to two
points on each bow, and a green light and a red
light over an arc of the horizon from two points on
each bow to two points abaft the beam on the
starboard and port sides respectively; and not less
than 6 nor more than 12 feet below the tricoloured
lantern a white light in a lantern, so constructed
as to show a clear uniform and unbroken light all
round the horizon.
- 2. If sailing vessels, shall carry a white
light, in a lantern, so constructed as to show a
clear uniform and unbroken light all round the
horizon, and shall also, on the approach of or to
other vessels, show where it can best
- be seen a white flare-up light or torch
- in sufficient time to prevent collision.
- All lights mentioned in sub-division
- (d) 1 and 2 shall be visible at a distance
- of at least 2 miles.
- (e.) Oyster dredgers and other vessels
- fishing with dredge-nets shall carry and show
the same lights as trawlers.
- (f.) Fishing vessels and fishing boats may at
any time use a flare-up light in addition to the
lights which they are by this Article required to
carry and show, and they may also use working
lights.
- (g.) Every fishing vessel and every fishing
boat under 150 feet in length, when at anchor,
shall exhibit a white light visible all round the
horizon at a distance of at least one mile.
- Every fishing vessel of 150 feet in length or
upwards, when at anchor, shall exhibit a white
light visible all round the horizon at a distance
of at least one mile, and shall exhibit a second
light as provided for vessels of such length by
Article 11.
- Should any such vessel, whether under 150 feet
in length, or of 150 feet in length or upwards, be
attached to a net or other fishing gear, she shall
on the approach of other vessels show an additional
white light at least 3 feet below the anchor light,
and at a horizontal distance of at least 5 feet
away from it in the direction of the net or
gear.
- (h.) If a vessel or boat when fishing becomes
stationary in consequence of her gear getting fast
to a rock or other obstruction, she shall in
daytime haul down the day-signal required by
sub-division (k); at night show the light or lights
prescribed for a vessel at anchor; and during fog,
mist, falling snow, or heavy rain-storms make the
signal prescribed for a vessel at anchor. (See
sub-division (d) and the last paragraph of Article
15.)
- (i.) In fog, mist, falling snow, or heavy
rain-storms, drift-net vessels attached to their
nets, and vessels when trawling, dredging, or
fishing with any kind of drag-net, and vessels line
fishing with their lines out, shall, ii of 20 tons
gross tonnage or upwards, respectively, at
intervals of not more than one minute make a blast;
if steam-vessels, with the whistle or siren, and if
sailing vessels with the fog-horn; each blast to be
followed by ringing the bell. Fishing vessels and
boats of less than 20 tons gross tonnage shall not
be obliged to give the above-mentioned signals; but
if they do not, they shall make some other
efficient sound signal at intervals of not more
than one minute.
- (k.) All vessels or boats fishing with nets or
lines or trawls, when under way, shall in daytime
indicate their occupation to an approaching vessel
by displaying a basket or other efficient signal
where it can best be seen. If vessels or boats at
anchor have their gear out, they shall, on the
approach of other vessels, show the same signal on
the side on which those vessels can pass.
- The vessels required by this Article to carry
or show the lights herein before specified shall
not be obliged to carry the lights prescribed by
Article 4 (e), and the last paragraph of Article
11.
- This Article shall be read and construed as
part of the Regulations contained in Schedule I. to
the Order in Council, under Section 418 of the
Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, made the 27th day of
November, 1896, and as if it had formed one of such
Regulations and been numbered 9 among the Articles
containing the same.
- Art. 10. A vessel which is being overtaken by
another shall show from her stern to such
last-mentioned vessel a white light or a flare. up
light.
- The white light required to be shown by this
Article may be fixed and carried in a lantern, but
in such case the lantern shall be so constructed,
fitted, and screened that it shall throw an
unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 12
points of the compass, viz., for 6 points from
right aft on each side of the vessel, so as to be
carried as nearly as practicable on the same level
as the side lights.
- Art. 11. A vessel under 150ft in length, when
at anchor, shall carry forward, where it can best
be seen, but at a height not exceeding 20ft. above
the hull, a white light in a lantern so constructed
as to show a clear, uniform. and unbroken light
visible all round the horizon at a distance of at
least one mile.
- A vessel of 150ft or upwards in length, when at
anchor, shall carry in the forward part of the
vessel, at a height of not less than 20, and not
exceeding 40, feet above the hull, one such light,
and at or near the stern of the vessel, and at such
a height that it shall be not less than 15ft lower
than the forward light, another such light.
- The length of a vessel shall be deemed to be
the length appearing in her certificate of
registry.
- A vessel aground in or near a fairway shall
carry the above light or lights and the two red
lights prescribed by Article 4 (a).
- Art. 12. Every vessel may, if necessary in
order to attract attention, in addition to the
lights which she is by these rules required to
carry, show a flare-up light or use any detonating
signal that cannot be mistaken for a distress
signal.
- Art. 13. Nothing in these rules shall interfere
with the operation of any special rules made by the
Government of any nation with respect to additional
station and signal lights for two or more ships of
war or for vessels sailing under convoy, or with
the exhibition of recognition signals adopted by
shipowners, which have been authorised by their
respective Governments and duly registered and
published.
- Art. 14. A steam vessel proceeding under sail
only, but having her funnel up, shall carry in
daytime, forward, where it can best be seen, one
black ball or shape 2ft. in diameter.
- SOUND-SIGNALS FOR FOG &c.
- Art. 15. All signals prescribed by this Article
for vessels under way shall be given:
- 1. By '-steam vessels" on the whistle or
siren.
- 2. By "sailing vessels and vessels towed" on
the fog-horn.
- The words "prolonged blast" used in this
Article shall mean a blast of from four to six
seconds duration.
- A steam vessel shall be provided with an
efficient whistle or siren, sounded by steam or
some substitute for steam, so placed that the sound
may not be intercepted by any obstruction, and with
an efficient fog-horn, to be sounded by mechanical
means, and also with an efficient bell.* A sailing
vessel of 20 tons gross tonnage or upwards shall be
provided with a similar fog-horn and hell.
- In fog, mist, falling snow, or heavy
rainstorms, whether by day or night, the
signals
- ** In all cases where the rules require a bell
to be used a drum may be substituted on board
Turkish vessels. or a gong where such articles are
used on board small sea-going vessels.
- Rules of the Road -- continued.
- described in this Article shall be used as
follows, viz. :
- (a.) A steam vessel having way upon her shall
sound, at intervals of not more than two minutes. a
prolonged blast.
- (b.) A steam vessel under way, but stopped and
having no way upon her, shall sound, at intervals
of not more than two minutes, two prolonged blasts,
with an interval of about one second between
them.
- (c.) A sailing vessel under way shall sound, at
intervals of not more than one minute, when on the
starboard tack one blast, when on the port tack two
blasts in succession, and when with the wind abaft
the beam three blasts in succession.
- (d.) A vessel when at anchor- shall, at
intervals of not more than one minute, ring the
bell rapidly for about five seconds.
- (e.) A vessel when towing. a vessel employed in
laying or in picking up a telegraph cable, and a
vessel under way which is unable to get out of the
way of an approaching vessel through being not
under command, or unable to manoeuvre as required
by these rules shall, instead of the signals
prescribed in sub-divisions (a) and (c) of this
Article, at intervals of not more than two minutes,
sound three blasts in succession, viz., one
prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. A
vessel towed may give this signal, and she shall
not give any other
- Sailing vessels and boats of less than 20 tons
gross tonnage shall not be obliged to give the
above-mentioned signals, but if they do not, they
shall make some other efficient sound signal at
intervals of not more than one minute.
- SPEED OF SHIPS TO BE MODERATE IN
- FOG &c.
- Art. 16. Every vessel shall, in a fog, mist,
falling snow, or heavy rain-storms, go at a
moderate speed, having careful regard to the
existing circumstances and conditions.
- A steam vessel hearing, apparently forward of
her beam, the fog signal of a vessel, the exact
position of which is not ascertained, shall, so far
as the circumstances of the case admit, stop her
engines, and then navigate with caution until
danger of collision is over.
- STEERING AND SAILING RULES.
- Preliminary--Risk of Collision.
- Risk of collision can, when circumstances
permit, be ascertained by carefully watching the
compass bearing of an approaching vessel. If the
hearing does not appreciably change, such risk
should he deemed to exist.
- Art. 17. When two sailing vessels are
approaching one another, so as to involve
- risk of collision, one of them shall keep out
of the way of the other, as follows, viz. :
- (a.) A vessel which is running free shall keep
out of the way of a vessel which is
close-hauled.
- (b.) A vessel which is close-hauled on the port
tack shall keep out of the way of a vessel which is
close-hauled on the starboard tack.
- (C.) When both are running free, with the wind
on different sides, the vessel which has the wind
on the port side shall keep out of the way of the
other.
- (d.) When both are running free, with the wind
on the same side, the vessel which is to windward
shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to
leeward.
- (e.) A vessel which has the wind aft shall keep
cut of the way of the other vessel.
- Art. 18. When two steam vessels are meeting end
on, or nearly end on, so as to involve risk of
collision, each shall alter her course to
starboard, so that each may pass on the port side
of the other.
- This article only applies to cases where
vessels are meeting end on, or nearly end on, in
such a manner as to involve risk of collision, and
does not apply to two vessels which must, if both
keep on their respective courses, pass clear of
each other.
- The only cases to which it does apply are, when
each of the two vessels is end on, or nearly end
on, to the other; in other words, to cases in which
by day, each vessel sees the masts of the other in
a line, with her own ; and by night, to cases in
which each vessel is mu such a position as to see
both the side lights of the other.
- It doss not apply, by day, to cases in which a
vessel sees another ahead crossing her own course;
or by night, to cases where the red light of one
vessel is opposed to the red light of the other, or
where the green light of one vessel is opposed to
the green light of the other, or where a red light
without a green light, or a green light without a
red light, is seen ahead, or where both green and
red lights are seen anywhere but ahead.
- Art. 19. When two steam vessels are crossing,
so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel
which hits the other on her own starboard side
shall keep out of the way of the other.
- Art. 20. When a steam vessel and a sailing
vessel are proceeding in such directions as to
involve risk of collision, the steam vessel shall
keep out of the way of the sailing vessel.
- Art. 21. Where by any of these rules one of two
vessels is to keep out of time way, the other shall
keep her course and speed.
- NOTE.-When, in consequence of thick weather or
other causes, such vessel finds herself so close
that collision cannot be avoided by the action of
the giving.way vessel alone, she also shall take
such action as will best aid to avert collision.
(See Articles 27 and 29.)
- Art. 22. Every vessel which is directed by
these rules to keep out of the way of another
vessel, shall, if circumstances of the case admit,
avoid crossing ahead of the other.
- Art. 23. Every steam vessel which is directed
by these rules to keep out of the way of another
vessel shall on approaching her, if necessary,
slacken her speed or stop or reverse.
- Art. 24. Notwithstanding anything contained in
these rules, every vessel overtaking any other
shall keep out of the way of the overtaken
vessel.
- Every vessel coming up with another vessel from
any direction more than 2 points abaft her beam,
i.e, in such a position with reference to the
vessel which she is overtaking that at night she
would be unable to see either of that vessel's side
lights, shall be deemed to be an overtaking vessel;
and no subsequent alteration of the bearing between
the two vessels shall make the overtaking vessel a
crossing vessel within the meaning of these rules,
or relieve her of the duty of keeping clear of the
overtaken vessel until she is finally past and
clear.
- As by day the overtaking vessel cannot always
know with certainty whether she is forward of or
abaft this direction from the other vessel, she
should, if in doubt, assume that she is an
overtaking vessel and keep out of the way.
- Art. 25. In narrow channels every steam vessel
shall, when it is safe and practicable, keep to
that side of the fair-way or mid. channel which
lies on the starboard side of such vessel.
- Art. 26. Sailing vessels under way shall keep
out of the way of sailing vessels or boats fishing
with nets, or lines, or trawls. This rule shall not
give to any vessel or boat engaged in fishing the
right of obstructing a fairway used by vessels
other than fishing vessels or boats.
- Art. 27. 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
- SOUND SIGNALS FOR VESSELS IN SIGHT OF ONE
ANOTHER.
- Art. 28. The words "short blast" used in this
Article shall mean a blast of about one second's
duration.
- When vessels are in sight of one another, a
steam vessel under way, in taking any course
authorised or required by these rules, shall
indicate that course by the following signals on
her whistle or siren. viz. :
- One short blast to mean, "I am directing my
course to starboard."
- Two short blasts to mean, "I am directing my
course to port."
- Three short blasts to mean, "My engines are
going full speed astern."
- NO VESSEL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TO NEGLECT
PROPER PRECAUTIONS.
- Art. 29. Nothing in these rules shall exonerate
any vessel, or the owner, or master, or crew
thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to
carry lights or signals, or of any neglect to keep
a proper look-out, or of the neglect of any
precaution which may he required by the ordinary
practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances
of the case.
- RESERVATION OF RULES FOR HARBOURS AND INLAND
NAVIGATION.
- Art. 30. Nothing in these Rules shall interfere
with the operation of a special rule, duly made by
local authority, relative to the navigation of any
harbour, river, or inland waters.
- DISTRESS SIGNALS.
- Art. 31. When a vessel is in distress and
requires assistance from other vessels or from the
shore, the following shall be the signals to he
used or displayed by her, either together or
separately, viz.:
- In the daytime-
- 1. A gun or other explosive signal fired at
intervals of about a minute;
- 2. The International Code signal of distress
indicated by N C. ;
- 3. The distant signal, consisting of a square
flag, having either above or below it a ball or
anything resembling a ball;
- 4. A continuous sounding with any fog signal
apparatus.
- At night-
- 1. A gun or other explosive signal fired at
intervals of about a minute;
- 2. Flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar
barrel, oil barrel, &c.);
- 3. Rockets or shells, throwing stars of any
colour or description, fired one at a time, at
short intervals ;
- 4. A continuous sounding with any fog signal
apparatus.
-
- Rules.--
- The Y.R.A. Rules or rules of the Yacht Racing
Association, under which all yacht races in this
country are held, are fully explained in the body
of this work. (See Chapters VIII. and IX.) The
official hook of Y.R.A. Rules is published by
Harrison & Sons, St. Martin's Lane. Price 2s.
6d. annually.
-
- Rules.--
- International Rules are the same as Y.R.A.
rules. International rules are those of the
International Yacht Racing Union known as IYRU
Rule.
-
- Rules for the Construction of Yachts.--
- Rules published by Lloyds Register of Shipping,
71, Fenchurch Street Price 5s. (See "Yacht
Register")
-
- Rules for the Construction of Yachts of the
International Rating Classes.--
- Rules published by Lloyds Register of Shipping,
71, Fenchurch Street Price 5s. specially for racing
yachts classed R (See Yacht Register" and also
R)
-
- Run.-- The under part of a vessel aft defined
by the buttock lines and water lines.
-
- Run.-- To sail before the wind. To come down by
the run is to lower or overhaul without warning, or
suddenly. To run away with a rope is to take hold
of a fall and haul on it by running along the deck.
Among sailors an agreement to work a single passage
for so much money, independent of the time
occupied.
-
- Run Down.-- To foul a vessel or other object
wrongfully or by accident.
-
- Run Foul Of.-- To get into collision with a
vessel or other object.
-
- Run Out.-- To veer out a warp or cable.
-
- Run Over.--
- The same as run down. Generally denoting
carelessness in bringing about a collision.
- Runners.--
- A rope passed through a single block on a
pendant with a purchase at one end. Also seamen who
sail by the run.
- Running Bowsprit.--
- A bowsprit that is fitted to run in and out and
"reef" like an old cutter's. Since 1900 most yachts
have their bowsprits fitted in a shoe.
-
- Running by the Lee.--
- To run with the boom on one quarter when the
wind is blowing on the other quarter. A dangerous
proceeding. (See "By the Lee.")
-
- Running Off her Helm.--
- Said of a vessel if, when sailing, her stern
flies up to windward (her head apparently going off
to leeward) and lee helm is necessary to bring her
to.
-
- Running Rigging.--
- The parts of the rigging made to overhaul or
run through blocks, as distinct from that set up by
lanyards, shackles, &c.
- ..
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© 2000 Craig O'Donnell
May not be reproduced without my permission.
Go scan your own damn dictionary.
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