601
145 feet may therefore be expected on the side lines at ordinary high water, and the following arrangements for the winter navigation of the Taku Bar and the Hai Ho been made:-
General.
After the removal of the Taku Light-vessel, on or at any time after the 1st Decem- ber, her place will be taken by an ice-breaker to the following extent and showing lights as described hereunder.
At the commencement of the winter season, i.e., immediately after removal of the Taku Light-vessel, an ice-breaker will provisionally act as light-vessel, if available and so long as she is not required for ice-breaking operations.
Ice Conditions.
When ice exists, information concerning conditions will be telegraphed to Chefoo and Dairen. Vessels bound for Taku should call at one of these ports for it.
A vessel arriving off Taku, whose agent has given the necessary notice as laid down herein, will, if conditions permit, find an ice-breaker in the position of the light-vessel. The ice-master will inform the ship-master of conditions. If the ship-master decides to 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 considerations 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 disregard affected the safety of the ice-breaker or of a third vessel.
It should be clearly understood that the Maritime Customs, 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 following signals:--
One short blast
meaning...I am altering my course to starboard.
Two short blasts
""
9.5
21
port.
Three
"
>>
...My engines are going astern.
((a) Can I pass ahead of you?
One long blast
}?
(b) (From an ice-breaker ahead) You are
requested to pass ahead of me.
Three long blasts Five
"
...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.
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