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PUBLIC LAW 85-635-AUG. 14, 1958
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Public Law 85-635 August 14, 1958 [8.2115]
AN ACT To amend the Act of June 7, 1897, as amended, and section 4233 of the Revised Statutes, as amended, with respect to lights for vessels towing or being overtaken.
Be it ermoted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Vessel lights. United States of America in Congress assembled, That article 3 of section 1 of the Act of June 7, 1897, as amended (30 Stat. 97, as amended; U.S.C. 1952 edition, title 33, sec. 173), is amended to read as foUovs'S: V e s s e l towing "ART. 3. (a) A steam vessel when towing another vessel or vessels another. alongside or by pushing ahead shall, in addition to her side lights, carry two bright white lights in a vertical line, one over the other, not less than three feet apart, and when towing one or more vessels astern, regardless of the length of the tow, shall carry an additional bright white light three feet above or below such lights. 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 (a) or the after range light mentioned in article 2 (f). "(b) A steam vessel carrying towing lights the same as the white V e s s e l pushing another. light mentioned in article 2 (a), when pushing another vessel or vessels ahead, shall also carry at or near the stern two bright amber lights in a vertical line, one over the other, not less than three feet apart; each of these lights shall be so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of twelve points of the compass, so fixed as to show the light six points from right aft on each side of the vessel, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least two miles. A steam vessel carrying towing lights the same as the white light mentioned in article 2 (a) may also carry, irrespective of the position of the tow, the after range light mentioned in article 2 (f); however, if the after range light is carried by such a vessel when pushing another vessel or vessels ahead, the amber lights shall be carried in a vertical line with and at least three feet lower than the after range light. A steam vessel carrying towing lights the same as the white light mentioned in article 2 (a), when towing one or more vessels astern, may also carry, in lieu of the stern light specified in article 10, a small whit« light abaft the funnel or aftermast for the tow to steer by, but such light shall not be visible forward of the beam." SEC. 2. Article 10 of section 1 of the Act of June 7, 1897, as amended (30 Stat. 98; U.S.C. 1952 edition, title 33, sec. 179), is amended to read as follows: V e s s e l undei^ "ART. 10. (a) A vessel when underway, if not otherwise required way. by these rules to carry one or more lights visible from aft, shall carry at her stern a white light, so constructed that it shall show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of twelve points of the compass, so fixed as to show the light six points from right aft on each side of the vessel, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least two miles. Such light shall be carried as nearly as practicable on the same level as the side lights. Small v e s s e l " (b) I n a small vessel, if it is not possible on account of bad weather or other sufficient cause for this light to be fixed, an electric torch or a lighted lantern shall be kept at hand ready for use and shall, on the approach of an overtaking vessel, be shown in sufficient time to prevent collision." SEC. 3. Section (d) of Rule Numbered 3 of section 4233 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, as amended (U.S.C. 1952 62 Stat. 250. edition, title 33, sec. 312), is amended to read as follows:
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