The Author will welcome suggestions and criticisms from officers and men of the Merchant Marine who happen to read the pages of this book. Standard practice at sea is desirable, and such practice can best be achieved by some common ground upon which all minds may meet and reasonably agree. Letters addressed in care of my publishers, D. Van Nostrand Company, 25 Park Place, New York, will be forwarded to me and be appreciated. F. R. SCHOOLSHIP NEWPORT, May 1, 1918. Table of Contents CHAPTER PAGE I. THE MASTER 1 II. LAWS AFFECTING THE DUTIES OF THE MASTER 9 III. ENTRY AND CLEARANCE 18 IV. ENTRY OF MERCHANDISE 27 V. LIABILITY OF OWNERS, MASTERS, AND SHIPPERS 53 VI. MISCELLANEOUS LAWS 59 VII. THE CHIEF MATE 72 VIII. THE CHIEF MATE (_Continued_) 92 IX. RULES OF THE U. S. SUPERVISING INSPECTORS RELATING TO LIFESAVING 103 X. PASSENGER ACT OF 1882 116 XI. THE SECOND MATE 128 XII. THE THIRD MATE 131 XIII. THE JUNIOR OFFICERS 133 XIV. CADETS 145 XV. LAWS DEFINING OFFICERS OF THE MERCHANT MARINE 146 XVI. EXAMINATIONS FOR LICENSES; MASTER AND MATES 153 XVII. THE WATCH OFFICER 167 XVIII. THE RULES OF THE ROAD—INTERNATIONAL—INLAND 184 XIX. THE LIMITS OF U. S. INLAND WATERS 222 XX. THE QUARTERMASTERS 229 XXI. THE CARPENTER 231 XXII. THE BOATSWAIN 234 XXIII. ABLE SEAMEN 236 XXIV. U. S. NAVIGATION LAWS RELATING TO MERCHANT SEAMEN 241 XXV. DISCIPLINE AT SEA 286 APPENDIX A. CUSTOMS DISTRICTS, PORTS AND SUB-PORTS OF THE UNITED STATES 305 APPENDIX B. THE SEA LIBRARY 319 THE MEN ON DECK CHAPTER I THE MASTER