SAFETY AT SEA

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 June 1925, Page 7

SAFETY AT SEA

WIRELESS ON SHIPS.

A.s the result of regulations which are about to be issued, the Marine De. partment will lie enabled to require virtually all vessels trading round the coast of New Zealand to carry wireless apparatus. In the case of small vessels to which the regulations specifically apply, authority will be given for the operation of the vdreless plant by deck officers. These regulations are the outcome of the question which was raised in I’av. liament after the disaster to the Ripple last year, of requiring all vessels 'trading out of Dominion ports to carry wireless equipment so that assistance may be Summoned in eases of distress.

Legislation making provision tor a broad interpretation of idle new movement was brought down by the Minister of Marine (the Hon. G. J. Anderson) and passed into law. This amend, ing Act had to be sent- Home for the Royal Assent, but regulations requir. ing the installation of wireless on coastal .craft have since been drafted, and will come into force shortly. A Departmental Committee, consist, ing of Messrs G. C. Godfrey (Secretary of Marine), E. A. Shrimpton (Chief Telegraph Engineer), ami Captain Hooper (Nautical Adviser to the New Zealand .-Goviernmeiit) has recently been conferring t with shipping interests in Auckland and Wellington rc'gai’ding details to which the regulations will applyIt is understood tljat the Merchant Service Guild is quite favourable towards tlfe extension of wireless to coastal shipping in these conditions, and at least’one of the shipping com paiiies concenied (the Northern Company) has already made provision for the training of its officers as wireless operators.