NAVIGATION

The act or the science or the business of traversing the sea or other waters in ships or vessels. Navigation acts, in English law, were various enactments passed for the protection of British shipping and commerce as against foreign countries. For a sketch of their hiitory and operation, see 8 Steph. Comm. They are now repealed. See 16 & 17 Vict c 107, and 17 A 18 Vict. cc. 5, 120. Wharton. Navigation, rules of. Rules and regulations adopted by commercial nations to govern the steering and management of vessels approaching each other at sea so as to avoid the danger of collision or fouling. Regular navigation. In this phrase, the word “regular” may be used in contradistinction to “occasional.” rather than to “unlawful,” and refer to vessels that, alone or with others, constitute lines, and not merely to such as are regular in the sense of being properly documented under the laws of the country to which they belong. The Steamer Smidt, lo Op. Attys. Gen. 276.