yacht

A light sea-going vessel for the purpose of pleasure, racing, and the like. See Vessel. A steam pleasure yacht is an "ocean going vessel" and not a coasting vessel; Belden v. Chase, 150 U. S. 674, 14 Sup. Ct. 264, 37 L. Ed. 1218. Yachts may be licensed by the secretary of commerce and may then proceed from port to port of the United States and to foreign ports without entering or clearing at the custom house, except yachts of over 15 gross tons returning to the United States. Act Aug. 20, 1912. As to the tax on foreign-built yachts, and as to what are such, see Tonnage; Vessel; Ship; Navigation Rules.

A light sea-going vessel used only for purposes of pleasure, racing, and the like. The secretary of the treasury may cause yachts employed exclusively as pleaure vessels, and designed as models of naval architecture, if entitled to be enrolled as American vessels, and built and owned in compliance with Rev. St, §§ 4133-35, to be licensed on terms which will authorize them to proceed from port to port without entering or clearing at the customhouse; the license to be in such form as the secretary may prescribe; the owner to first give a bond in such form and amount as the secretary shall prescribe, conditioned that the vessel shall not engage in trade, nor violate the revenue la\i s, and shall comply with the laws in all other respects. Such vessel shall not transport merchandise or carry passengers for pay; and shall have the name and port placed on some conspicuous portion of the hull. For any violation of the laws on the subject of commerce and navifcation the vessel may be seized and forfeited. Provided., that all charges for license and inspection fees shall not exceed five dollars, and for admeasurement ten cents per ton.' All such licensed yachts shall uie a signal of the form, size, and colors prescribed by the secretary of the navy; and naval architects in the employ of the United States may at all times examine and copy the models.^ Yachts, belonging to a regularly organized yacht club of any foreign nation which shall extend like privileges to the yachts of the United States, may enter or leave any of our ports without entering or clearing at the custom-house or paying tonnage tax.* For the identification of yachts and their owners a commission to sail for pleasure in any designated yacht belonging to any regularly organized and incorporated yacht club, stating the exemptions and privileges enjoyed under it, may be issued by th^ secretary of the treasury, and shall be a token of credit to any United States official, and to the authorities of any foreign power, for privileges enjoyed under it.* Every yacht visiting a foreign country under the foregoing provisions shall, on her I'eturn, make due entry at the custom-house of the port at which she arrives." Yachts which are propelled by steam must have their hulls and boilers inspected." A licensed yacht of four hundred and eighty-one tons burden, propelled by steam, and having two high masts, is an "ocean-going steamer" and a "steamer carrying sail," within Rule 3 of the rules of navigation prescribed by Rev. St. § 4233, and should cany the l Act 3 March, 1883: 93 St. L. 566, repealing R, S. § 4314 — parts of Acts of 18^8, 1870. 2 Act? Aug., l Si8: R. S. § 4215. 8 Act 29 June, 1870: R. S. § 4216. ' Act 20 Jime, 1870: R. S. § 4217. lights therein provided for, and not the lights specified in Rule 7.»