THE NAVIGATION LAWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19390, 27 July 1926, Page 10

THE NAVIGATION LAWS.

DUTIES OF SMALL CRAFT. NEED FOR THE REGULATIONS. A lecture of great interest to local motor-boat owners and yachtsmen was given last evening by the harbourmaster, Captain H. H. Sergeant, under the auspices of the New Zealand Power Boat Association, in the Navy League club rooms. There were about 75 present and the wide knowledge of his subject, especially in its relation to local conditions, possessed by the speaker was greatly ap-' preciated. Captain Sergeant dealt at length T,Vith the "rule of the road," with lighthouses, beacons and buoys, as well as with harbour regulations, which, he stated, every boatmen should consider it his duty to known and know well. He empnasised the need for small boats to carry lights, stating that in many cases the owners were not as particular about -this important point as they should be. Some of the smaller mullet boats were the worst offenders of all, and because of this they were a danger to themselves as well as tq other people. .'lt was essential that boata navigating the harbour limits should have prqper lights.. Some boat owners had been-prosecuted for failure to realise their duty in this respect, and it should bo clearly understood that anyone not complying with the regulations was liable to be dealt with by the Hal-bour Board. The board was empowered to see that these regulations were carried out, in addition to those relating to the rule, of the road, %nd in enforcing the law it was only acting in the interests of those for whom it was framed. The address was made additionally interesting by the speaker, who illustrated his remarks with the use of models and lamps showing the action required of vessels in certain circumstances 'and their duty in accordance 'with the regulations. The use of lighthouses and the various kinds of lights for the guidance of navigation were also gone into thoroughly. A hearty vote of thanks to Captain Sergeant was passed.