Nov. 15.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3275

The freeboard in fresh water shall not be less than the following amounts, which are applicable without correction to boats having a mean sheer equal to 3 per cent. of their length :—

Depth of Boat, in Inches. Minimum Freeboard, in Inches.
12 .. .. .. .. 2¾
18 .. .. .. .. 3¾
24 .. .. .. .. 5⅛
30 .. .. .. .. 6½

For intermediate depths the freeboard shall be obtained by interpolation.

If the sheer is less than the standard sheer defined above, the minimum freeboard shall be obtained by adding to the figures in the table one-seventh of the difference between the standard sheer and the actual mean sheer measured at the stem and stern-post; no deduction shall be made from the freeboard on account of the sheer being greater than the standard sheer, or on account of the camber of the deck.

CLASS 3.

Open boats which have not the buoyancy required for lifeboats of Class 1.

4. Motor-boats.

(1) A motor-boat carried as part of the statutory life-saving appliances of a vessel, whether in compliance with Rule E (1), Class I, Foreign-going or not, should comply with the following conditions :—
(a) It shall comply with the requirements for a lifeboat of Class 1, and proper appliances shall be provided for putting it into the water speedily.
(b) It shall be adequately provided with fuel, and kept so as to be at all times fit and ready for use.

(2) A motor-boat carried in compliance with Rule E (1), Class 1, Foreign-going, shall in addition comply with the following conditions :—
(a) It shall be fitted with a searchlight or searchlights of a pattern approved by the Marine Department.
(b) It shall be fitted with an approved wireless-telegraphy installation.

(3) In fixing the volume of the internal buoyancy and, where fitted, the external buoyancy, regard shall be had to the difference between the weight of the motor and its accessories, the searchlight and the wireless-telegraphy installation, and the weight of the additional persons which the boat could accommodate if the motor and its accessories, the searchlight and the wireless-telegraphy installation, were removed.

5. Construction of Boats.

(1) All boats shall be properly constructed, and shall be of such form and proportions that they shall have ample stability in a sea-way, and sufficient freeboard when loaded with their full complement of persons and equipment. They shall be fitted and arranged to the satisfaction of the Department.

(2) The structural strength of the boats shall be to the satisfaction of the Department. In the case of a ship of Class I, Foreign-going, launched on or after the 1st March, 1913, or a ship in Class I or Class V, Home trade, launched on or after 1st January, 1928, the strength shall be sufficient to permit of the boats being safely lowered into the water with the full complement of persons and equipment on board: Provided that this requirement shall not apply to any ship in Class I or Class V, Home trade, where the height of the boat-deck above the water-line at the vessel’s lightest sea-going draught does not exceed 15 ft.

(3) In all open boats, all thwart and side seats shall be fitted as low in the boat as practicable, and shall provide seating-accommodation for all persons the boat is deemed fit to carry, and bottom-boards shall be fitted so that the thwarts shall not be more than 2 ft. 9 in. above them.

(4) Internal buoyancy apparatus shall be constructed of copper or yellow metal of not less than 18 oz. to the superficial foot, or of other durable material, and in open boats of Class 1 may be placed along the sides or at the ends of the boat, but not in the bottom of

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