In California, when two steam vessels encounter each other on the water, they must both steer to the right. This rule ensures they pass by without colliding or obstructing each other.

In California, when you're getting off a steam vessel and into a small boat, you must wait until the small boat is floating on its own and no longer connected to the steam vessel, except for a rope called a 'painter' that keeps it tied.

This California law states that ropes used for helping people get on or off a steam vessel cannot be connected to the vessel's machinery. Additionally, small boats used for this purpose should not be pulled in using any machinery on the steam vessel.

This law mandates that when passengers are being transported by a small boat to or from a steam vessel, the engine of the vessel must be stopped. However, it can be used just enough to ensure the vessel stays properly directed and safely positioned during this process.

If you are operating a small boat, you must have a good pair of oars on board. Additionally, at night, you must signal nearby steam vessels with a horn or trumpet to indicate when your boat is prepared to leave the shore after picking up or dropping off passengers.

This law says that if two steam vessels are traveling in the same direction, the one behind should not get closer than ten yards to the vessel in front. Similarly, the vessel in front should not purposely navigate in a way that brings it within ten yards of the one behind.

If a steam vessel is operating at night, the person in charge must ensure two prominent lights are displayed: one near the front and another near the back, with the rear light positioned at least twenty feet above the deck.

If someone in charge of a steam vessel breaks any of the rules from the previous seven sections, they have to pay a fine of $250 for each time they do it.

If you're responsible for a vessel anchored at night in California's harbors or ports, you must display a visible light at least 20 feet above the deck and another from the stern. Failing to do so results in a $50 fine for each oversight.

If you float a raft of timber on the Sacramento or San Joaquin rivers at night, you must display two red lights—one at each end—at least ten feet above the top logs or planks. Failing to do so results in a $50 penalty for each missed instance.

This law requires steam vessels in California that carry passengers to have specific safety equipment based on their size. Vessels 500 tons or larger need one first-class life-boat and one large rowboat, each able to carry 50 people, and at least one additional rowboat. Vessels between 250 to 500 tons must have at least two standard rowboats. Vessels under 250 tons need at least one small rowboat. These boats must be ready for immediate launch.

If you own or are responsible for a boat that doesn't have the necessary safety boats onboard as outlined in this law, you can be fined up to $250.

If you're in charge of a steam-powered boat carrying passengers in state waters or managing the steam-generating equipment on such a boat, you can be fined $500 if you create too much steam to make the boat go faster or to race another boat.

This law states that if a person in charge of a steam vessel, like the captain, causes or permits an unsafe amount of steam to build up—due to ignorance, negligence, or to win a speed race—and it results in a boiler explosion that endangers human life, they commit a felony. The penalty for this felony can include a fine up to $5,000 and/or a prison sentence of 16 months, two years, or three years, as specified in another law.

If you own a steam vessel, you are responsible for how the captain or person in charge behaves. If they violate any rules under this law, you could be held liable along with them.

If someone breaks this law on the water, the district attorney from a nearby county can collect the penalty. The money collected is then split evenly between the county's school fund and a fund for helping sick people who can’t afford care.

Additionally, if a court decides someone owes money under this law, that decision becomes a claim against the boat involved.

This law allows local governments in California to create rules about how boats and similar watercraft are used, but only in accordance with certain existing laws. They can also issue permits to yacht clubs, water ski clubs, or other groups to hold races or events on the water. These events must happen in areas approved and overseen by Coast Guard or local authorities, except for those already authorized by the Coast Guard. This law applies to all waters that can be navigated, even if they're not officially listed as navigable by law.