The Unwritten Rule. Watch officers have long considered an "unwritten rule" that has no doubt been acted upon. Namely, if you see collision coming, "hit the other fellow." This of course is to be taken for what it is worth and should find no response in the mind of the young officer who tramps the bridge on the night watch and works out the problems of the sea.
The law is very concise about the "Risk of collision" and collision comes without much warning. The one thing that is positive, is the duty to stand by, and this is incumbent on both vessels.
Risk of Collision Rule. Risk of collision can, when circumstances permit, be ascertained by carefully watching the compass bearing of an approaching vessel. If the bearing does not appreciably change, such risk should be deemed to exist.
Duty to Stay by. In every case of collision between two vessels it shall be the duty of the master or person in charge of each vessel, if and so far as he can do so without serious danger to his own vessel, crew, and passengers (if any), to stay by the other vessel until he has ascertained that she has no need of further assistance, and to render to the other vessel, her master, crew, and passengers (if any), such assistance as may be practicable and as may be necessary in order to save them from any danger caused by the collision, and also to give to the master or person in charge of the other vessel the name of his own vessel and her port of registry, or the port or place to which she belongs, and also the name of the ports and places from which and to which she is bound.
If he fails so to do, and no reasonable cause for such failure is shown, the collision shall, in the absence of proof to the contrary, be deemed to have been caused by his wrongful act, neglect, or default.
Every master or person in charge of a United States vessel who fails, without reasonable cause, to render such assistance or give such information as aforesaid shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be liable to a penalty of one thousand dollars, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years; and for the above sum the vessel shall be liable and may be seized and proceeded against by process in any district court of the United States by any person; one-half such sum to be payable to the informer and the other half to the United States.
Dangerous Conditions. Fog, mist, bright moonlight, coal black night, with phosphorescent sea; all are dangerous conditions so far as visibility is concerned. From three to five in the morning; at the tail of the mid watch, and for the first hour of the morning watch, when vitality is low, and the senses of man lag with the coming of the dawn; then is the time that the officer of the watch should key himself to a sense of complete responsibility—helped out by black coffee if it can be had—and every steamer should provide this at the change of watch, and oftener if need be.
Look Out. Be alive to the changes of the weather. Steamship officers are liable to lack in this respect. Watch the stars, if out. Note the sudden snuffing out of stars near the horizon—watch out for fog banks lying low ahead.
Look out for white water, squalls, get awnings in before they are blown away—never leaving the bridge, of course, unless the Master relieves.
Ice. If in the dangerous latitudes look out for ice. Note sudden changes in the temperature of air and sea. The sea water should be taken every hour at least. Ice gives no warning—sense it, and slow down before it is too late. Remember the Titanic.