17. Masters and pilots of steamers carrying passengers shall exclude from the pilot houses and navigator's bridge of such steamers, while under way, all persons not connected with the navigation of such steamers, except officers of the Steamboat-Inspection Service, Coast Guard, and engineer officers of the United States Army in charge of the improvement of that particular waterway, when upon business: _Provided_, That licensed officers of steamboats, persons regularly engaged in learning the profession of pilot, officers of the United States Navy, United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, and Lighthouse Service, assistant engineers of the Engineer Department of the United States Army connected with the improvement of that particular waterway, and the engineer officers connected with the construction and operation of the Panama Canal may be allowed in the pilot house or upon the navigator's bridge upon the responsibility of the officer in charge. The master of every such passenger and ferry steamer shall keep three printed copies of this section of Rule V posted in conspicuous places on such steamer, one of which shall be kept posted in the pilot house. Such printed copies shall be furnished by the Department of Commerce to local inspectors for distribution. (Sec. 4405, R. S.) +Relieving the Watch.+ On well-conducted vessels no part of the routine is so important, and so necessary of clear-cut understanding, as the matter of turning over the watch. On a steamer in which the writer had the good fortune to serve—a liner in the Transatlantic service—this formality was practiced with the utmost precision. The officer in charge of the watch would keep facing ahead, near the telegraph, if the weather was thick. He would turn over the data of the watch rapidly and clearly; the relieving officer having already read over and initialed the Captain's order book. Special orders from the Captain. Position—how obtained—when. Vessels passed; in last hour, at least. Weather—fog if any; sea rising or falling. Wind, veering, or hauling. Distance made—by log—revolutions. Soundings taken—if any. Lights sighted, or expected; if in pilot waters. How vessel was steering—wild—good—etc. +THEN—being ready to turn over the watch:+ "The course is N. 76 degrees east," says the Officer of the Watch. "N. 76 degrees, east," is the reply, and the moment these words are spoken the relief is in charge, and steps next to the telegraph.