of all these ports Hongkong is the only oneswhich restriction; exist rendering this bunkering business almost 398
an impossibility.
At present the Company are not allowed to bring a stemmer alongside the wharf for this purpose, whilst a tankstomer is lying there, and as tanksteamers very often take 2 or 3 days to discharge, a steamer wanting to bunker would have to wait all this time, before she is allowed to go alongside.
It is obvious that an oceanliner or coast stemmer cannot wait such a long time and that under the present rules a business, which can be done everywhere else unrestrictedly, must considerably suffer.
The regulations were framed for Karosine 011 at a time when the bulk oil trade was in its infancy and very strong prejudices were entertained by persons not knowing its nature against its safety.
Time and experience have overcome these prejudices and in most parts the business is carried on unrestricted.
In this case however we have not to deal with an oil of comparatively low test, take Kerosine Oil, but with liquid fuel, whose flash point is 200 ̊Fat. or over and which is practically incombustible except under fire heat.
We therefore respectfully request your Goverment
to rescind Art. 14 of the Rules and Regulations referred to and also to leave out the words: and the ship shall be pro- tected on her off side by Booms of such strength (to be approved by the Harbour Master) and so secured as to fend off any other vessel from possible collision.
It is evident that this boom mist, be taken away if
two steamers are allowed to le alongside each other.
Such Boons were prescribed in the Suez Canal in case
a tank steamer gets aground or has to anchor, and may be of use
in
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