Notice to Mariners No. 4 of 1930.

Marine Department,
Wellington, N.Z., 8th February, 1930.

THE following amendment to Admiralty Notice to
Mariners, No. 1844 of 1929, which has been received
from the Admiralty, London, is published for general information.

G. C. GODFREY, Secretary.

ADMIRALTY NOTICE No. 2096 of 1929.

BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS MESSAGES TO MERCHANT SHIPS.

Amendment to former Notice.

Former Notice : No. 1844 of 1929.

Details: On page 4, schedule area (6), in the wave length
column:

143 kc/s (2,098) is to be substituted for 125 kc/s (2,400).
(Notice No. 2096 of 1929.)

Publication: List of Wireless Signals, 1929, Appendix I,
page 649.

Authority: The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
(H. 7961/29.)

[The Schedule area (6) referred to above occurs on page 3
of Wellington Notice to Mariners No. 69 of 1929.]
(M. 10/145.)

Notice to Mariners No. 5 of 1930.

Marine Department,
Wellington, N.Z., 8th February, 1930.

THE following Notice to Mariners, which has been received
from the Admiralty, London, is published for general
information.

G. C. GODFREY, Secretary.

ADMIRALTY NOTICE No. 2008 of 1929.

SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN.-TONGA OR FRIENDLY ISLANDS.

Tongatabu: Light established.

Position: On Niu Aunofo (Van Diemen Pt.). Lat.
21° 03′ 43″ S., long. 175° 19′ 39″ W.

Abridged Description: Fl. ev. 2½ sec., 63 ft., 9 M.

Character: Flashing white every two and a half seconds,
thus—Flash, 0·5 sec.; eclipse, 2·0 sec.

Elevation: 63 ft. (19²)

Visibility: 9 miles.

Charts affected: Nos. 2363—2421—1829—2283.

Publications: List of Lights, Part VI, 1927, No. 3745·5;
Pacific Islands Pilot, Vol. II, 1918, page 484.

Authority: Nukualofa Notice, dated 25th July, 1929.
(H. 7903/29.)

Notice to Mariners No. 6 of 1930.

Marine Department,
Wellington, N.Z., 11th February, 1930.

THE following Notice to Mariners, which has been received
from the Board of Trade, London, is published for
general information.

G. C. GODFREY, Secretary.

BOARD OF TRADE.—NOTICES TO MARINERS FOR FOREIGN-
GOING SHIPS.—MONTHLY SUMMARY.

London, 1st January, 1930.

Distress Signals.

The experience of the Board of Trade shows that two of the
existing statutory distress signals, viz.: “a continuous sounding
with any fog-signal apparatus” and “flames on the
vessel” are not only liable to abuse, but when used as distress
signals have often given rise to misunderstanding. A succession
of signals on the whistle or siren is frequently made
for other purposes than of indicating distress, e.g., for summoning
a pilot, and may be mistaken for a “continuous
sounding.” Similarly, working lights and “flare up” lights
are authorized for use by fishing vessels and other small craft,
and the simplest way of making a “flare up” light is to dip a
rag in paraffin and set it alight. Unfortunately, small vessels
in distress frequently make the signal “flames on the vessel”
in the same manner. Thus it is often impossible to decide
whether “flare up” lights are being shown or whether distress
signals are being made, especially in areas where fishing is
carried on. As a result uncertainty and delay have occurred
and lives have been lost in consequence.

Distress signals should be as distinctive as possible, so that
they may be recognized at once and assistance despatched
without delay. Thus, instead of making an indefinite succession
of blasts on the fog signalling apparatus when in distress,
mariners should make the “continuous sounding” by repeating
the Morse signal SOS ( · · — — — · · ) on the whistle or
fog-horn. If this is done there can be no mistake as to the
meaning of the signal. Similarly, by night, if signalling for
help by means of a lamp or flashing light the same signal
SOS should always be used.

As regards the “flames on the vessel” signal, unless the
flames making the signal are sufficiently large to attract
immediate attention their chances of being recognized as a
distress signal are very poor. The best distress signal is the
signal rocket, and wherever possible a supply of rockets
should be carried. Where this is not practicable an effective
firework signal, which can be held in the hand while being discharged,
should be provided in place of the rockets; such
a signal should show a brilliant red flare and throw five or
more red stars to a height of 80 feet. Failing either of these
two signals a supply of ordinary red flares should always be
carried. These red flares are now recognized by general custom
as distress signals and, though not so effective as either rockets
or the hand firework, are much more distinctive than the burning
of rags, articles of clothing, &c., soaked in paraffin which should
be used only as a last resource. Use should not be made of these
red flares in any circumstances for any other purpose than that
of indicating distress.——18th November, 1929 (36/2060.)

Notice to Mariners No. 7 of 1930.

Marine Department,
Wellington, N.Z., 11th February, 1930.

(PRELIMINARY.)

NEW ZEALAND.—SOUTH ISLAND.—COOK STRAIT.—TORY CHANNEL EASTERN ENTRANCE.

1. Leading Beacons, Lights: Date of Alteration postponed.

2. West Head Light: Date of Installation postponed.

Former Notice: Wellington Notice No. 65 of 1929 (preliminary).

1. Position: About one mile north-westward of the eastern entrance
   to Tory Channel. Lat. 41° 12′ S., long. 174° 19′ E. (approx.).

Amended Date of Alteration: 1st March, 1930.

Alteration: The existing fixed lights are to be altered to automatic
occulting, as follows:

Front: Occulting with one eclipse every 6 second, thus—Light 3 sec.,
eclipse 3 sec.

Rear: Occulting with one eclipse every two seconds, thus—Light 1 sec.,
eclipse 1 sec.

Remarks: The lights will be unwatched.

2. Position: On the summit of West Head, at the western side of the
   eastern entrance to Tory Channel. Lat. 41° 13′ S., long. 174° 20′ E.
   (approx.).

Amended Date of Installation: About the end of March, 1930.

Installation: An automatic group-flashing light, showing two flashes
every twenty seconds, thus—Flash 1 sec., eclipse 1 sec.; flash 1 sec.,
eclipse 17 secs.

Remarks: The light will be unwatched.

Further notice will be issued.

Charts affected: 2685—695—2054—3629—1212.

Publications: List of Lights, 1927, Part VI, Nos. 3580 and 3581; New
Zealand Pilot, 1919, page 318; New Zealand Nautical Almanac and Tide-tables,
1930, page 165, Nos. 125 and 126, and page 324.

G. C. GODFREY, Secretary.

(M. 8/64/1.)

Result of Election of Members of a River Board.

Department of Internal Affairs,
Wellington, 11th February, 1930.

THE following result of the election of members of a River Board
has been received from the Returning Officer, and is published in
accordance with the provisions of the River Boards Amendment Act, 1913.

G. P. NEWTON, Under-Secretary.

Waiohine River District, Counties of Wairarapa South and Featherston—

Leonard Greathead.

Adam Montgomerie.

William Albert Saywell.

Alfred H. York.

Arthur Moffatt Haigh.

(I.A. 19/121/16.)