RADIO BEARINGS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22356, 29 February 1936, Page 14

RADIO BEARINGS

USE IN COOK STRAIT FIXING SHIP'S POSITION COURT'S RECOMMENDATIONS [by telegraph —OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Friday As the result of the facts placed before it during its investigation of the mishap to tho Rangatira, the Nautical Court of Inquiry has made tho following recommendations for the consideration of the Minister of Marine: — (1) That a radio beacon should bo established on some suitable spot near Wellington, such as Baring Head. (2) That all ships carrying passengers should be required to provide suitable direction-finding apparatus, especially such ships as regularly traverse the vicinity of Cook Strait. (3) That all such ships should be supplied with a simple card containing the messages S.O.S. and X.X.X. for display in all radio operators' cabins, as in an emergency in might he difficult to look up the necessary instructions in the various books of authority. (4) That all vessels equipped with direction-finding apparatus should be required to ascertain their positions at least four times at intervals of approximately half an hour when traversing the sea between Capo Campbell and Wellington Heads, and that no charges should be made for any wireless messages sent or given in connection with this service. u This recommendation is obviously open to criticism," the Court adds, "on the ground that in daylight and in fine weather it is unnecessary definitely to ascertain tho ship's position, as such should be well known, but wo have made the recommendation as we consider that tho adopting of it would do away with any uncertainty as to whether tho atmospheric conditions justifiod it or not, and there would be no excuse for neglecting tho precaution. 1 '