SAFETY AT SEA

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 2, 2 July 1929, Page 14

SAFETY AT SEA

CONFERENCE OF NATIONS

SOME RECOMMENDATIONS

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, 18th May. Eecent work of the International Con ference on the Safety of Life at Sea is indicated in a report issued by the Board of Trade showing the lines on which a committee of the conference, which has been reviewing the International Convention drawn up by the conference in 1913-14, is dealing with its problems. The principal recommendations made by the committee are as follow:— The existing arrangement whereby the North Atlantic ice patrol is organised and operated by the United States Government should continue. The committee has agreed on the allocation of the expenses of the patrol among the countries interested. ■Following recent advances in the science of meteorology, it is considered that much can be done to promote safety of life at sea through the collection of meteorological data by ships and the use of such data to enable weather bulletins and warnings of gales and hurricanes to be issued by the various national meteorological services. Useful results might also be obtained by arranging for certain selected ships to transmit by wireless meteorological observations taken at specified hours, and by encouraging all ships to send such observations (luring the hurricane season, so that warnings of tropical storms might be widely distributed. The revision of the international re-: gulations for preventing collisions in regard to the following five points: (1) A second white masthead light to be compulsory on. steamers 150 ft long and upwards; (2) a permanent fixed stern light to be compulsory on all except very small vessels; (3) a special day signal to be compulsory for sailing vessels fitted with auxiliary motors; (4) a special sound signal to be established for use in fog by a vessel towed; and (5) the addition of the international wireless telegraphy distress signal to the international signals of distress already prescribed in ,the collision regulations. Amendments in the rules relating to lights and signals. The present steering and sailing rule 3 to remain unaltered. RADIO-ELECTRIC AIDS. In addition to making these suggestions, the committee has discussed the following question:— The adoption of a uniform system of helm orders, in view of the fact that a number of nations have adopted the "direct" system in place of tho former "indirect" system, and have stated that they experienced no difficulty in making the change. Proposals relating to new or improved aids to navigation, particularly of a radio-electric description which'have become available since 1914. These include radio compasses, radio beacons, echo .depth sounding apparatus, and synchronised radio and under-water signals. The adoption of uniform life-sav-ing signals, land and coastal signals, and a uniform system of buoys and buoyage. In such matters the agreement of countries not represented 'at the con-ference-would be of importance, and while the committee may recognise the desirability of securing uniformity, yet, in view of the limited time at its dis posal, it could not give these matters the detailed consideration they require.