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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 considerations concerning the safety of his own vessel are concerned. It would, how- ever, be well for him to consider what would be the effect of disregarding the signal if that disregard 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 Two short blasts Three short blasts
meaning
I am altering my course to starboard.
My engines are going astern.
port.
(a.) Can I pass ahead of you ?
requested to pass ahead of me.
One long blast
""
(b.) (From an ice-breaker ahead) You
are
Three long blasts Five long blasts
""
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-vessel.
NOTICE BY AGENTS.
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.
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