HARBOUR REGULATIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21279, 5 September 1932, Page 13

HARBOUR REGULATIONS

Sir, —Might 1 bo permitted, as tho owner of a small vessel, plying on tho Waitemata Harbour, to stato that I think it is about timo tho Auckland Harbour Board tightened up some of its rules and regulations. For instance, Saturday, August 27, saw a decent fog on, in tho Auckland Harbour. At times it was difficult to see 100 yds. Now, tho Auckland Harbour is not very wide between the Devonport sandspit light and the Orakei Wharf. Yet in that short distance we had anchored on August 27 no less than 11 vessels. The American steamer Golden Eagle (with timber and explosives), five Union Company steamers, three Nobel Explosive Company's vessels (presumably all with powder), the Duchess, and a fair-sized pleasure launch, broken down and anchored, right in the centre of tho harbour. To the captain of any vessel trying 'to make his way up harbour in a fog this nest of ships offered a severe test of navigation, providing one wasn't looking for any collision. The Golden Eagle was ringing her bell (a good one at that), according to regulations. Several Union boats wero silent, so far as my experience goes, likewise all of the Nobel's boats, the Duchess and the launch. The Harbour Board seen to it that vessels using the harbour must carry masthead and s ; de lights and blow whistles in a fog every two minutes. Quite so, and when a vessel does comply with these regulations, it is time all vessels at anchor wero made to help mariners, by ringing their bells according to regulations laid down, particularly so any vessel with powder. Precaution.