PILOT'S VISION TEST.

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 89, 14 April 1917, Page 10

PILOT'S VISION TEST.

By eight votes to four the Victorian Marine Board has finally approved : of the reduction of the standard of vision set for Fort Phillip pilots from the high standard enforced after the wreck of the R.M.S. Australia s to that required by Trinity House, London. The matter has been referred to the Chief Secretary (Mr. M'Leod) for an ultimate decision, and the Marine Board is forwarding the papers to him. The minority consisted of the three Government representatives and Mr.i D. Y. Syme, representing the shipowners. Both parties to the discussion allow the necessity of fully safeguading the travelling public. On the one side of it is pointed out that _in 1904 the Indraghiri and the Australia both sustained-damage owing to the defectivo eyesight of one pilot. Consequent upon thig a new and higher Standard was set, which has admittedly proved effective: To this the pilots reply that a less exacting standard, which would remain greater than that _in force before the loss of the Australia, would be an adequate protection. They contend that the standard which suffices Trinity House, which controls pilotage in the United Kingdom, should be equal to the requirements of the port of Melbourne, especially if the' clearer atmospheres, and lesser congestion of traffic are borne in mind. The, Marine Board allowed the reduction last October, but, following upon public criticism, agreed to refer the whole question to Trinity House. It was upon this body's advice that the recent decision was mad^.