Chapter 379. To require apparatus and operators for radio-communication on certain ocean steamers
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CHAP. 379.— An Act To require apparatus and operators for radio-communication on certain ocean steamers. June 24, 1910.[[S. 7021](/us/bill/61/s/7021).][[Public, No. 262](/us/pl/61/262).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That from and after the first Radio-communication. Required on ocean-going steamers. day of July, nineteen hundred and eleven, it shall be unlawful for any ocean-going steamer of the United States, or of any foreign country, 630 carrying passengers and carrying fifty or more persons, including passengers and crew, to leave or attempt to leave any port of the United States unless such steamer shall be equipped with an efficient apparatus for radio-communication, in good working order, in charge of a person skilled in the use of such apparatus, which apparatus shall be capable of transmitting and receiving messages over a distance of at least one *Proviso*.
Exception. hundred miles, night or day: *Provided*, That the provisions of this Act shall not apply to steamers plying only between ports less than two hundred miles apart. Sec. 2. Exchange with other stations. That for the purpose of this Act apparatus for radio-communication shall not be deemed to be efficient unless the company installing it shall contract in writing to exchange, and shall, in fact, exchange, as far as may be physically practicable, to be determined by the master of the vessel, messages with shore or ship stations using other systems of radio-communication.
Sec. 3. Penalty for violation. That the master or other person being in charge of any such vessel which leaves or attempts to leave any port of the United States in violation of any of the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be fined in a sum not more than five thousand dollars, and Libel upon vessel. any such fine shall be a lien upon such vessel, and such vessel may be libeled therefor in any district court of the United States within the jurisdiction of which such vessel shall arrive or depart, and the leaving or attempting to leave each and every port of the United States shall constitute a separate offense.
Sec. 4. Regulations. That the Secretary of Commerce and Labor shall make such regulations as may be necessary to secure the proper execution of this Act by collectors of customs and other officers of the Government. Approved, June 24, 1910.