FOR SAFETY AT SEA

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11295, 22 August 1922, Page 2

FOR SAFETY AT SEA

WIRELESS WANTED EQUIPMENT OF SHIPS TEAPING OFF THE COAST. MINISTER'S ATTITUDE. At a deputation (introduced by Sir John Luke, M.P.) from the Merchant Service Guild, represented by Captain F. A. Macindoe and Mr V. A. Ryder, which waited upon tthe Minister for Marine (Hon. G. J. Anderson), one matter brought forward had reference to the appointment of assessors on nautical courts of inquiry. The Minister said that be had read carefully the whole of the correspondence that had taken place in connection •with the two marine accidents that had occurred at Auckland rethat in future, if at all possible, one of the assessors should be a captain who is engaged in the same trade and on a similar type of vessel to that which is the subject of the inquiry. If the ship was employed in the Home trade or intercolonial trade, then a captain serving on the Home or intercolonial run, as the case might be, would be appointed if available. That was the course he intended to follow so long as he held the portfolio of Marine. There would then be on the court a man with a full knowledge of the requirements of that particular trade. If it so happened that a captain actually engaged in the trade was not available, then one who had had recent experience in the trade would be selected. LIGHTHOUSE FOR THREE KINGS. Mr Ryder said that a<rvice had been received from the department that a survey was being made of the Three Kings, and he expressed the hope that something would be done to establish a lighthouse there as early as possible. The matter was raised by Captain Ross about 10 years ago, and it was felt that protection for mariners at this dangerous part of the coast was imperatively necessary. Mr Anderson, in reply, said that as far as he could see at present the cost of providing a light would approximate .£50,000 or .£60,000, in addition to which there would be the cost of upkeep and maintenance, and the salaries of at least three lighthouse keepers. In view of the large expenditure involved, it was a question for careful consideration whether a light should be provided at all, or whether there should he provided one of the latest scientific devices that had been invented for the safety of shipping as a result of experiences gained during and since the war. Mr Anderson ©aid he was referring to radio beacons, on which subject he had recently had an interview with the general manager of an English radio company. Of course it was true that all vessels might not be fitted with position-finding instruments, but the regular passenger boats trading between Australia and Auckland, being large vessels, would probably be provided with them in the event of a beacon befcng installed (a.t the fFhr'ee Kings. <>ne of the Public Works Department's electrical engineers had recently gone to England and the Continent, and while abroad he would make the fullest investigation into this and other matters,. If the Guild had any suggestions to offer in regard to 6uch devices he would be pleased to receive them. After Mr Furkert's report was received the question of sending men on the next trip of the Tutanekai to go further into the m&ttot of providing a light and preparing plans would have attention. In conclusion, the Minister said that he recognised the matter was an important one, but pointed out that from advice he had received from experienced master mariners he understood that by taking a few hour longser on the run between Sydney and Auckland it was unnecessary for boats in that trade to go near to the Three Kings. NEED OF WIRELESS. Captain Macindoe referred to the necessity for making it compulsory for all ships going off the coast to be fitted with wireless, and pointed out that it wa9 possible, by getting into communication by wireless with the Awanui and Awarua radio stations to get ctoss bearings which would enable mariners to fix the ship's position exactly. Mr Anderson said that the existing law, enabling regulations to be issued for ships to be provided with wireless apparatus, referred only to boats carrying passengers. The Shipping and Seamen Amendment Bill now before the House contained a provision which would enable the regulations to he made applicable to cargo as well as passenger snips. Asked by Captain Macindoe whether in the event of the proposed amendment being passed the new regulations would provide for any limitation in regard to the tonnage of ships that should be equipped with wireless, the Minister said that was a matter for consideration later on.