SAFETY AT SEA

Evening Star, Issue 20033, 26 November 1928, Page 10

SAFETY AT SEA

MEANS Of SAVING LIFE NEW REGULATIONS GAZETTED Recognising tho advantage pf-buoy-ancy apparatus over ■ lifebuoys in providing for the safety of, passengers u mishaps occur to small boats, new fogn." latious for lifesaving , appliances, which, have been gazetted this month, require tho carrying of increased apparatus on certain vessels and a smaller number of lifebuoys. Tho new regulations, which supersede those gazetted in 1914, will come into force on February 1. Buoyancy apparatus, .which is genially in cylindrical form and has attachments for passengers to cling to when in the water, is greatly to be preferred to lifebuoys on small vessels trading in river and extended river, limits and short distances to sea (says the Auckland ‘Herald). A small vessel springing a leak quickly settles, and passengers have little opportunity to obtain lifebuoys. On' the other hand, buoyancy apparatus carried on the top oi the cabin float off in , the, water and can bo grasped by passengers. There has been little or no change in the regulations for foreign-going vessels, those engaged in. the home trad© being chiefly affected. In respect of a steamer carrying passengers within home trade limits and having a special license to carry a number of passengers in excess of the ordinary, buoyancy apparatus providing sufficient accommodation for 70 per cent, of the total number of passengers is required, formerly only 50 per cent, was stipulated, but whereas ten lifebuoys were required, now, in certain cases, the number is limited to sis and even lour. Tho regulations for steamers, sailing ships, and auxiliary power vessels trading in homo trade limits have remained practically unchanged, but alterations have been made in respect of boats trading in smooth and partially-smooth water. Vessels such as ferry boats are included in tho class for “ steamships certified to carry passengers in partiallysmooth water.” The, rules for this class 'require tho provision of buoyancy apparatus to accommodate 60 per cent, of the total number of passengers carried instead of 12} per cent, as formerly. However, less lifebuoys need be carried, the numbers being for different cases two-thirds of those formerly stipulated. As now stipulated one approved life jacket has to be provided for each person on board. Steamships carrying passengers in smooth water limits, such as rivers and lakes, will bo required to carry buoyancy apparatus for 40 per cent, of the passengers instead of 12} per cent., and four lifebuoys and six lifebuoys, according to the size of tho vessel, instead of six and ten as at present. Again, a life jacket has to be provided for each person on board. Increased provision for the safety of passengers is required in respect of launches and motor boats plying for short distances to sea. At present such a boat under 40ft in length need carry only two lifebuoys and a lifebelt for each passenger. Under tho new regulations it will be required to carry six lifebuoys. Buoyancy apparatus for boats not over 70ft shall be sufficient for 60 per cent, of the passengers. A sliding scale has been evolved in respect of the lifebuoys to be carried in proportion to the length of the boat. Small vessels under 26ft in length may carry lifebuoys in lieu of buoyancy apparatus. Rules for fishing vessels, barges,. and boats of that description are approximately the same as formerly. • No regulations have yet been gazetted to replace those for launches up to 40ft plying within extended river limits. Mr G: C. Godfrey, Secretary of Marine, recently met owners and discussed impending changes,' and it is, anticipated new rules will shortly be, made. As investigation hqs shown all such boats are able to carry buoyancy, apparatus, it is expected these appliances will b© largely resorted to in' ensuring the safety of passengers.