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proceed, a pilot will, if desired, be placed on board from the ice-breaker. At a suitable time the ice-breaker will, if necessary, lead the way in, and, in doing so, will make such instructive signals concerning the steamer's action as the ice-master considers desirable.
It should be understood that when the ice-master makes such a signal the master of a following steamer is free to use his discretion as to obeying that signal so far as consi- derations concerning the safety of his own vessel are concerned. It would, however, be well for him to consider what would be the effect of disregarding the signal if that disre- gard affected the safety of the ice-breaker or of a third vessel.
It should be clearly understood that the Harbour Authority, under whose authority the ice-breakers operate, incur no responsibility in respect to accidents which may happen in the process of following an ice-breaker. A vessel accepting the services of an ice- breaker in the above conditions does so always at her own risk.
PARTICULARS.
Ice-breaking Signals.
An ice-breaker leading the way and steamers following shall make use of the follow- ing signals:-
One short blast
meaning I am altering my course to starboard.
Two short blasts Three short blasts
"
""
"
port.
""
My engines are going astern.
One long blast
Three long blasts
Five long blasts
((a.) Can I pass ahead of you?
(b.) (From an ice-breaker ahead) You are requested
to pass ahead of me.
Come on. Keep back.
A vessel requiring the assistance of an ice-breaker should make the following signal:-
By day. A pennant with two balls beneath it; also a succession of one long
and three short blasts on the whistle or siren.
By night.-Three lights in a vertical line one over the other not less than 6 feet apart, of which the highest and lowest are white and the middle one red; also a succession of one long and three short blasts on the whistle or siren.
Ice-breaker acting as Light-vessel.
When acting as a light-vessel the ice-breaker will show
By day.A black ball at her masthead.
By night Five minutes of flashing with her searchlight every 15 minutes.
During foggy or thick weather a gong will be sounded at intervals of one minute when the fog signal of a vessel in the neighbourhood, showing that she is under way, is heard.
Pilots.
Masters are warned against the danger of taking their vessels over the Taku Bar during the winter season without a pilot.
Inward-bound vessels may obtain a pilot from the ice-breaker acting as a light-
Notice by Agents.
vessel.
Steamer agents at Tientsin should give the earliest notice possible to the Harbour Office concerning the following:-
(a.) Date and time of steamer's departure from Chefoo or Dairen. (b.) Time of steamer's expected arrival off Taku.
Ice Information.
Ice telegrams, giving information of the ice conditions at Taku, Chinwangtao, and- as far as can be ascertained-in the Gulf, will be sent daily from Taku and Chinwangtao and will be posted at the Harbour Offices at Chefoo, Taku, and Tientsin. They will also be sent to Dairen.