han
6 feet apart, where they can best be seen, three shapes not less than 2
feet in diameter, of which the highest and lowest shall be globular in
shape and red in color 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 can not, 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 can not be fixed, these lights
shall be 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
most 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 color 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, 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:

First. 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 9 feet, 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 2 mi