HARBOUR ACTIVITIES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 102, 24 January 1935, Page 4

HARBOUR ACTIVITIES

Petrol Storage and Ship Repair Work RECENT REGULATIONS The recent consolidation of the general harbour regulations, petrol regulations and ship repair regulations was referred to by the chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board, Air. T. R. Barrer, at a meeting of the board last night. He recalled that as far back as 1926 the Harbours Association had appealed to tlie Government for a consolidation of the general harbour regulations. It had been pointed out that confusion and doubt existed on account of the many amendments that had been made and. the various regulations dealing with petrol and other such matters. A conference was called between the harbourmasters and other representatives of harbour boards, at which certain consolidated draft regulations were submitted and, after discussion and consideration, certain alterations were made which it was thought would improve the working of the regulations. Since then it had been necessary to incorporate certain amendments dealing with bulk petrol and pumping, and more recently it had been necessary to include ship repair regulations dealing with vessels on slipways and floating docks. Although a long delay bad taken place in the issue of these regulations (some of which was caused, he was informed, by the work of the International Conference at Geneva) the new general harbour regulations had now been gazetted. Air. Barrer said the principal amendments related to and were in respect of: — Signals to vessels: These clauses bring all signals into line with the new International Code. Navigation of harbours: These are extended to regulate the speed of vessels, the negotiation of breakxvater harbours, and the control of motor boats and launches. Handling cargo: These clauses relate to gangways and hatches, loading and discharging, and cranes and winches, and have been added with •; view of preventing accidents. Vessels in dock or under repair: New regulations have been made in regard to stages and platforms, working in confined spaces, clearing of oil tanks, and the use of welding apparatus. Explosives and petrol: The principal clauses have been redrafted to provide further safety precautions for ships loaded with this class of cargo and the control of it on the wharves. There were also a number vf general alterations relating to the protection of life and property in ships ami harbours.