Chapter 02 — Boat Operations

The name of every registered vessel of American Samoa shall be marked on each bow and upon the stern, and the home port shall also be marked upon the stem. These names shall be painted or consist of cut or carved or cast Roman letters in light color on a dark background or in a d…

Numerals indicating the draft shall be permanently secured or cut into the stem and stern of every registered vessel. Measurement shall be in English feet, taken from the bottom of the keel, and extend 1 foot above the maximum draft allowed. The bottom of each numeral shall indic…

The stability of the vessel will be established prior to the establishment of the load waterlines and marks thereof indicating the maximum depth to which any vessel may be safely loaded, and in establishing such load lines, due consideration will be given to, and differentials ma…

Every vessel shall be equipped with emergency steering apparatus consisting of relieving tackle or hand steering gear by which the vessel can be steered independently of the regular steering gear. History: Bd. of Mar. Insp. Regs., eff 16 Oct 72, § 4.05.

All equipment of a vessel such as fire hose, axes, boats, rafts, oars, life preservers, life buoys, wooden benches, and deck chairs shall be painted or branded with the name of the vessel on which they are used. History: Bd. of Mar. Insp. Regs., eff 16 Oct 72, § 4.06.

(a) Less than 100 gross tons: not less than 4 watertight, transverse bulkheads. There shall be a forepeak bulkhead located not less than 5% of the length of the vessel from the bow, 1 bulkhead at the forward end of machinery space, and 1 bulkhead aft of the machinery space and 1 …

Not more than 12 hours before departure from any port, the steering gear, whistle, and telegraphs between pilothouse and engineroom shall be tested and entered in the ship’s logbook. History: Bd. of Mar. Insp. Regs., eff 16 Oct 72, § 4.08.

Every vessel shall be equipped with a suitable radio telephone, or with radio transmitter and receivers to send and to receive. Such equipment is to be properly maintained and in work order. A radio check is a requirement not more than 1 hour before departure. Vessels underway sh…

Vessels using telegraph between the pilothouse and engineroom shall also be fitted with a voice tube or sound-powered telephone for the purpose of conversation between pilothouse and engineroom. Vessels equipped with wheel house engine controls shall have an alternate means of co…

It shall be the duty of an engineer when he assumes charge of the machinery of a vessel to thoroughly examine same and if he finds any part in need of repairs, he shall immediately report the facts to the master, owner, or agent, and, in the event of a major repair, to the board …

The inspection of machinery prior to and after repair of any vessel is to ensure good working order. History: Bd. of Mar. Insp. Regs., eff 16 Oct 72, § 4.12.

(a) Tail shafts shall be drawn biannually or at the same time as the annual dry-docking if required by the board. (b) Whenever any vessel is dry-docked, it shall be the duty of the master, owner, or agent to notify the board so that a thorough examination can be made. No repairs …

At every dry-docking period all sea connections, together with cocks, valves, and strainers, shall be dismantled if so required and examined and, where required, repaired or replaced. The pumping arrangements, piping, and strainers in all bilge compartments shall be examined and …

(a) A complete examination shall be made when required by the board of the main engine and auxiliary engines; all cylinders, pistons, valves, gears, pumps, connecting rods, bearings, guides, and shafting shall be examined. The cylinders, pistons, valves of air compressors shall b…

Every master or engineer shall be required to keep a special logbook showing all repairs, replacement, and general maintenance work clone as required by this chapter. History: Bd. of Mar. Insp, Regs., eff 16 Oct 72, § 4.16.

On all vessels using electrical wiring or electricity for any purpose, the installation shall be in keeping with the best modern practice. Wire shall be of an approved type; (protected) cable shall be required in cargo spaces, storerooms, enginerooms, and in all places where the …

(a) Every vessel licensed to operate shall be provided with 1 approved life preservers for each person carried, and an additional number of life preservers to equal at least 10% of the total number of persons carried shall be for children. There shall be an approved child’s lifej…

(a) Number Required. Every vessel licensed to operate shall carry approved number of 30-inch life buoys in accordance with the following table: Length of Vessel Minimum No. of Buoys Minimum No. With Water Lights Attached Under 70 feet 3 1 70 feet and under 110 feet 6 3 110 feet a…

(a) Every vessel licensed to operate shall carry lifeboats and liferafts, as directed by the board. Lifeboats and liferafts shall be kept clear for launching. The decks on which lifeboats and liferafts are carried shall be kept clear of freight or any other obstruction that would…

Every vessel shall be required to carry fire axes in accordance with the following table: Vessel Length Minimum Number of Fire Axes Under 70 feet 2 Over 70 feet and under 110 feet 3 Over 110 feet and under 150 feet 4 All fire axes are to be located and secured so as to be readily…

All firehoses shall be tested to a pressure of 100 pounds per square inch at each inspection. Firehose shall be of an approved type, double jacketed. Each firehose shall be stowed immediately adjacent to the fire hydrant and in such a manner as to be readily accessible. All fireh…

(a) All vessels of 100 gross tons and under shall be equipped with 1 hand fire pump or a combination fire and bilge pump of not less than 100 cubic inches or a power-driven pump of equivalent of not less than 30 gallons per minute at 60 pounds per square inch at maximum discharge…

It shall be the duty of the master and chief engineer of any vessel to see that such vessel and passenger and crew quarters are kept in a clean and sanitary condition. History: Bd. of Mar. lnsp. Regs., eff 16 Oct 72, § 4.24.

Every vessel licensed to operate under the provisions of this section shall be suitably equipped with an emergency medical kit containing such medical supplies as the board directs. Such medical kit shall be under the responsibility of the master. The vessel shall be subject to f…

(a) Every vessel shall have an official logbook wherein will be entered the following: draft marks prior to departure, radio calls, records of compliance for repairs, replacement and general maintenance and other matters covered by the rules set forth in this chapter and elsewher…

No deck cargo shall be carried unless written authorization has been granted by the port director in each individual case. A reduction in the number of passengers may be made at the discretion of the port director where a vessel is carrying a deck load. The decision of the port d…

(a) The maximum number of passengers permitted to be carried on a vessel shall be as determined by the board, and shall be stated on the vessel’s certificate of inspection. (b) The maximum number of passengers permitted on any vessel of acceptable design and proportions may be de…

No vessel operated in American Samoa shall depart from any port, harbor, or island unless she has in her service and oil board such complement of licensed officers and crew as is required by her certificate of inspection. The number of licensed officers and crew as is specified b…

The master of any vessel licensed to operate in tile inter-island traffic shall communicate by radio all arrival at and departures of his vessel from ports outside of the harbor limits of American Samoa. History: Bd, of Mar. lnsp. Regs., eff 16 Oct 72, § 505.

No comphene, nitroglycelin, naphtha benzine, benzol, kerosene, crude petroleum, compressed gases, both industrial and domestic types, other than in fire extinguishers or CO2 in other containers, or other, like explosive-burning fluids or gases or other, like dangerous articles sh…

Every vessel, when underway during nighttime and periods of poor visibility, shall have a lookout at the forward part of the vessel. A vessel lying at anchor shall keep a proper anchor watch. A watch tender while underway during nighttime shall make an hourly round of the vessel …

Unnecessary sounding of a vessel’s whistle is prohibited within the harbor limits of American Samoa. History: Bd. of Mar. lnsp. Regs., eff 16 Oct 72, § 5.08.

It is prohibited to carry or show any lights not required by international rules that will in any way interfere with distinguishing signals or navigation lights. History: Bd. of Mar. Insp. Regs., eff 16 Oct 72, § 5.09.

Flashing the rays of a searchlight or other blinding light onto the bridge or into the pilothouse of any vessel underway is prohibited. History: Bd. of Mar. Insp. Regs., eff 16 Oct 72, § 5.10.

The masters of all vessels shall be required to be familiar with the international rules of the road and to early out the provisions contained in those rules at all times. A copy of the International Rules for the Prevention of Collision at Sea shall be on board at all times. His…

It shall be the duty of all masters, owners, agents, and engineers when a casualty occurs to the vessel’s structures or machinery, affecting the seaworthiness of the vessel to report same to the board immediately upon arrival or after the discovery of such unsafe condition. Histo…

In addition to the report required in 20.0229, each commercial vessel conveying passengers and cargo departing Pago Pago Harbor shall first obtain clearance from the port director. Such clearance shall be obtained during regular hours of the port director and shall be surrendered…

The purpose of this article is to regulate motor vessels 40 feet in length and under, but not less than 16 feet, which, are or will be engaged in fishing and other like activities for which remuneration may be received. The purpose of this article is to apply rules which will, in…

“Length” is measured from end to end over the deck excluding sheer, and means a straight line measurement of the overall length from foremost part of the vessel to the outmost part of the vessel, and shall be measured parallel to the central line. Bowsprits, bumpkins, rudders, an…

Every operator of any vessel 40 feet in length and under, but not less than 16 feet, shall have in his possession a license to operate vessels of this design and length, or a marine board license covering vessels of not more than 15 tons. (a) The operator shall have the knowledge…

Each vessel shall have fuel tanks constructed to the requirements of the board. All fuel tanks shall be suitably vented. History: Bd. of Mar. lnsp. Regs., eff 16 Oct 72, § 9.03; and Rule 4-76, eff 14 Jul 76, § 1 (part).

Each vessel shall be equipped with navigational lights in accordance with the international rules of the road. History: Bd. of Mar. Insp. Regs., eff 16 Oct 72, § 9.04; and Rule 4-76, eff 14 Jul 76, § 1 (part).

Each vessel shall have on board fire extinguishers, not to be less than two 5-lb. chemical or CO., extinguishers. History: Bd. of Mar. Insp. Regs., eff 16 Oct 72, § 9.05: and Rule 4-76, eff 14 Jul 76, § 1 (part).

Each vessel shall have pyrotechnic day and night signals as contained in the rules of the board covering such articles. History: Bd. of Mar. lnsp. Regs., eff 16 Oct 72. § 9.06; and Rule 4-76, eff 14 Jul 76, § 1 (part).

Each vessel shall have on board a 5/8-inch-diameter nylon anchor line of not less than 50 fathoms in length, attached, to a suitable chain of not less than 4 fathoms, attached to an anchor of not less than 20 lbs., a Danforth or like anchor. History: Bd, of Mar. lnsp. Regs., eff …

Each vessel will have on board at all times 150 feet of 3/4-inch-diameter nylon or like rope tow lines with suitable eyes at each end. History: Bd. of Mar. lnsp. Regs., eff 16 Oct 72, § 9.08; and Rule. 4-76, eff 14 Jul 76, § 1 (part).

Each vessel shall have at least 1 lifering attached to 65 feet of 1/4-inch-diameter line. History: Bd. of Mar. Insp., eff 16 Oct 72, § 9.09; and Rule 4.76, eff 14 Jul 76, § 1 (part).

Each vessel shall have at all times a compass which has been adjusted and the vessel swung at least once every 2 years. History: Bd. of Mar. lnsp., eff 16 Oct 72, § 9-10; and Rule 4-76,eff 7-14.76, § 1 (part).

Each vessel shall have two 16-foot sweeps to be used in the event of power failure. History: Bd. of Mar. Insp., eff 16 Oct 72, § 9.11: and Rule 4-76, eff 14 Jul 76, § 1 (part).

Each vessel shall have a metallic radar reflector, of fixed or collapsible design of not more than 30 inches in diameter and not less than 12 inches in diameter, with a suitable extension mast of not less than 6 feet high. History: Bd. of Mar. lnsp. Regs., eff 16 Oct 72, § 9.12; …