THE S.D.S. AT SEA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4383, 27 February 1922, Page 2

THE S.D.S. AT SEA.

AUTOMATIC ALARMS Mpch is likely to be heard in the early future, says “The London Times,” of automatic devices for recording 1 signals received at sea by wireless telegraphy from vessels in distress. The view is strongly held among shipowners that there is now no justification for requiring passenger ships to carry wireless telegraph operators solely in order to despatch S.O.S. signals and to receive them. The occasions on the operators fulfil these functions are very rare indeed. Yet it is for such occasions that passenger ships are required to carry them. The opinion is undoubtedly gaining ground that‘the saifety of. the passengers would be adequately protected by the training of one or more of the ship’s officers to despatch, and receive signals of distress by wireless in case of need and by the installation of automatic devices which would at once direct attention to the fact that a call for assistance was being made. “ Suitable automatic contrivances which would cause a light to be dis 1 - played or a bell to be rung are known to have been invented, although their use might involve some change in the construction of the present S.O.S. call. The subject was discussed at the recent International Shipping Conference in London, and it is understood that many leading foreign shipowners are known to be favourable to the principle of the automatic wireless warning device.