LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES ON VESSELS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5710, 18 December 1889, Page 3

LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES ON VESSELS.

Wkuuinotos , , This day. The Marine Department havo had under consideration the question of boat accommodatioa carried by vessels, and havo adopted new regulations, following closely on those in force at Home. In 1887 a select committee of tho House of Commons was established to enquire into the boat and other life-saving appliances carried by vessels. Thie committeo recummended the appointment of a representation committee consisting of four (ship-owners, two shipbuilders, three porsons practically acquainted with navigation, three A.B.s, and two persons appointed by Lloyd'e, to make rulee which should, when promulgated by the Board of Trade, have the force of law. Accordingly tn 1888 an Act was passed authoring the appointment of the committee, and this committee has rscently issued its report, and the rules referred to therein will come into operation in the United Kingdom ou the 3let March next. These rules provide for the carrying of boats according to scale, and ehould these boats not be sufficient tc carry all on board, that additional accommodation nhu.ll be provided either by an increased number of boats or by rafts. They also provide that tlere is to be a Mfeboit for each person on board. These rules have been adopted in JNew Zealand, and an Order-in-Oouncil will appear in to-morrow's Gazette that they shall come into force on tho first of September next, this date being fixed so as to uilow time to owners of vessels to procure tho necessary fittings.