THE RECKLESS USE OF THE "PORT HELM."

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2217, 1 August 1914, Page 3

THE RECKLESS USE OF THE "PORT HELM."

•Sir,—Affeer reading the sad accounts of the recent Empress of' Ireland-Stor-etad collision, I should like to. point oiit an erroneous practice whien prevails at 'sea, and which- certainly should be . inquired into. In the .Court's finding, tho; Storstad was apparently blamed to a certain extent for "porting her helm." A number of ship's officers, and,; I fear, some masters aleo, appear to have a firm idea that ships ■ passing ,: in opposite directions must only pass "Red to red," i.e., each keeping to the right. •'This is doubtless derived from the one special case laid down in the says:—' ■ • ■ ■ '•■.-■;"-'•;.' '■■ "When' all three lights I see ahead,; -i I port my helm and show , myred."'C "When vessels are .proceeding ''Red .to red" or "Green to green," it is obvious -that they cannot collide. ". There is no about, the, "Red ,fo jred" .business, but "Green to green" causes-this section of men miich perturbation,'aiid' rather than pass that way they will only, too often deliberately port {heir helm to show their ?'red'"' to- the -other vessel's "green." This completely alters the position; It is then the duty of the vessel showing her green light to keep clear of the opposing red light, and this double manoeuvre, so to speak, is caused by the one vessel, through'ignorance ; or some such failing, "porting" unnecessarily. The vessel showing her "green" has then, in a very few riiimites some?' times, to get clear/ of .vessel' as best she can, and althqttghHhe'.captain or officer in charge is thoroughly conversant with the rule ii£"ttio road, he is, although originallyjjOhe right, frequently blamed'if an acsidj>nt occurs through another man's ignorance.- ■•■<■■ I have seen this donoM-.repeatedly. around the English coast by tramps and coasters, and I have also Experienced it' on the New Zealand coast. It may seem incredible, But I have even heard it said—"When in doubt, port I"—a. reckless statement indeed; . *':"■'. •As this dangerous practice may be expected at any time at A sea," I have found it expedient to add.aZTruleof my own to the regulations, viz,:-r: "Always assume that the, man in charge of an approaching-vessel is'•„' a fool, and act, therofore, -with prudence until he is finallypa'st and ' clear am, etc., : ' ,' '." SEAFARER..