Page 5.
4.
From evidence adduced before the Court we
are satisfied that the course set would normally allow a reasonable margin of safety, and it is the one used by shipmasters with long experience in the China Coast
Trade.
5.
We are satisfied that an efficient lookout
was kept at all times and that lights 3 miles distant were plainly visible, but it is the opinion of the Court that the visibility, although fairly good so far as lights were concerned, might have been of such a nature
as would render the detection of low lying islands very
difficult.
6.
The evidence clearly shows that soundings are
rarely taken by vessels regularly running along that
stretch of the Coast, but the Court is of the firm opinion that a prudent shipmaster would have ordered at least hourly soundings which would have given some indication
of an inshore set.
This is especially so in this particular case for the time of day precluded any form of observations and bearings, and navigational hazards were increased by the uncertain visibility and the fact that the in-
portant light on Chilang Point was extinguished.
7.
Về are agreed that the "Hong Kheng" experienced an abnormal and unpredictable set and drift which may be reasonably attributed to the tropical revolving storm which passed roughly 120 miles to the southwards ofthe vessel on the 18th July, 1947, and in this matter the Court is guided by the remarks on Page 15 of the "Sailing
Directions" China Sea Pilot, Volume III which states
as follows:
H
$1 In the vicinity of a tropical revolving storm
the set of the current may be markedly different" from that to be expected normally.
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