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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 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 dis- regard affected the safety 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 at her own risk.
Particulars.
Ice-breaking Signals.
An ice-breaker leading the way and steamers following shall make use of the following signals:--
One short blast meaning
Two short blasts Three short blasts
One long blast
Three long blasts
13
I am altering my course to starboard.
15
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port.
My engines are going astern.
(a.) Can I pass ahead of you?
(b.) (From an ice-breaker ahead) You are
requested to pass ahead of me.
Come on.
Five long blasts
15
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 light. 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. Pilots and masters should make a special point not to call upon an ice-breaker to perform any work in connexion with vessels under their charge except such as is actually needed. The ice-breakers will otherwise be unduly hampered in the carrying out of their general routine work.
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 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.
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.
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