Navigation (Compass) Regulations (Amendment)

Legislation au C1964L00037 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Statutory Rules 1964, No. 37.(a)

 

Issue of licences to compass adjusters.

1. Regulation 12 of the Navigation (Compass) Regulations is amended by omitting sub-regulation (1.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-regulation:—

“(1.) Subject to regulations 14 and 15 of these Regulations, a Regional Controller may issue a licence in accordance with Form C7 to—

(a) an applicant who holds a certificate of competency as extra master issued under or recognized by the Act; or

(b) an applicant who holds such a certificate of competency as master and who passes the examination the syllabus and conditions of which are prescribed by the Second Schedule or an examination considered to be the equivalent by the Principal Examiner of Masters and Mates.”.

(a) Made under the Navigation Act 1912-1961 on 6 March, 1964; notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 6 March, 1964.

The Schedules.

2. The heading to the Schedule to the Navigation (Compass) Regulations is omitted and the following headings are inserted in its stead:—

“THE SCHEDULES.

FIRST SCHEDULE.”.

Second Schedule.

3. The Navigation (Compass) Regulations are amended by adding at the end thereof the following Schedule:—

SECOND SCHEDULE.

Regulation 12.

COMPASS DEVIATION EXAMINATION.

Candidates shall be examined in the following syllabus by an examiner appointed for the purposes of the Navigation (Examination of Masters and Mates) Regulations in accordance with the rules prescribed for examinations by those Regulations. In order to qualify for a pass, a candidate must obtain not less than 70% of the total marks allotted to the written section of the examination and not less than 50% of the marks allotted to each paper; and must satisfy the examiner in the oral and practical section.

Written Section.

1. Magnetism and Compass Compensation—one 3½-hour paper.

(a) Magnetism.

(i) Magnetic properties of materials, induction, susceptibility and permeability. Magnetic effects of electric currents, including calculations.

(ii) Terrestrial magnetism. Dip, total force, horizontal force and vertical force. Effects on the deviation of the compass accompanying change in the values of these elements. Variation.

(iii) Ship’s magnetism. Hard and soft iron. Permanent, sub-permanent and induced magnetism. Components P, Q, R; the rods a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, k. The approximate coefficients A, B, C, D, E, and the causes of sextantal and octantal deviations.

(iv) Heeling error, Lambda, Lambda two and Mu.

(b) Compass Compensation.

(i) General principles of compass correction. Methods of finding, and compensating a compass for, the various components which might cause deviation, including the effects of heel and trim.

(ii) Compensation by use of the Kelvin deflector. Principle of the deflector method and information which can be deduced from readings obtained.

(iii) The siting and lining up of compasses with due regard to the proximity of magnetic material, electrical devices and other disturbing influences.

(iv) The theory of degaussing in ships fitted with M coils and compass compensation by means of B and heeling error coils.

(v) Swinging ship and the analysis of a deviation table. Analysis of a deviation book of a foreign-going ship to determine causes of irregular deviations, and suggest measures for their removal.

2. Compass Design and Electricity—one 3-hour paper.

(a) Compass Design.

(i) Size and relative position of compass needle.

(ii) Location of soft-iron correctors, and permanent magnets, with reference to each other and to the compass needles with due regard to standard binnacles of all types, overhead compasses, and pole compasses, and the probable effects if conventional limits are not complied with.

(iii) Relative position of lubber line, card, pivot, and gimbal axes.

(iv) Types of quadrantal correctors; their advantages and disadvantages.

(v) Detection of errors in instruments.

(b) Electricity.

(i) Electrical currents and their production. Simple cells of the primary and secondary types, including the effects of polarization.

(ii) Electromotive force, resistance and current.

(iii) Ohm’s law. Kirchhoff’s law. Lenz’s law. Faraday’s law.

(iv) Solenoids and electro-magnets. The effects of magnetic fields of all descriptions on the compass needle.

(v) Elementary principles of dynamos and motors.

(vi) Electric lighting and cluster lights.

Oral and Practical Section.

1. Compensation and adjustment of compasses. Demonstrations on Beall’s compass deviascope or instructional binnacle.

2. Answer any questions based on the syllabus for this examination.

 

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1964, No. 37, issued under the Navigation Act 1912-1961 on 6 March 1964, aims to amend the Navigation (Compass) Regulations by updating the process for issuing licences to compass adjusters. This legislative instrument was enacted to address the need for a more stringent and structured approach in licensing compass adjusters by introducing specific competency requirements and examination standards. The regulations are designed to ensure that only qualified and adequately trained individuals are licensed, thereby enhancing maritime safety and navigational accuracy. The Second Schedule to these Regulations outlines the detailed syllabus for the compass deviation examination, which candidates must pass to be eligible for a licence. The regulation specifies that a Regional Controller may issue a licence to applicants who hold a certificate of competency as extra master or a certificate of competency as master who successfully passes a prescribed examination. The examination includes both written, oral, and practical components, with specific criteria for passing each section. The written section covers magnetism, compass compensation, compass design, and electricity, while the oral and practical section focuses on compensation and adjustment of compasses. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure that compass adjusters possess the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their duties effectively and safely. The legislative instrument was notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on the same date as its enactment, indicating a prompt and efficient legislative process.

Scope and Application

The statutory rules outlined in Statutory Rules 1964, No. 37, which were made under the Navigation Act 1912-1961, concern the issuance of licenses to compass adjusters. This legislative instrument applies to individuals who wish to obtain a license as a compass adjuster and who either hold a certificate of competency as an extra master issued under or recognized by the Act, or hold a certificate of competency as a master and pass the prescribed examination. The legislation is a Commonwealth instrument and applies nationally, regulating the competency and licensing of individuals involved in maritime navigation. The rules specify that a Regional Controller may issue a licence in accordance with Form C7, subject to the conditions set out in the regulations. Furthermore, the examination syllabus and conditions are prescribed in the Second Schedule of the Navigation (Compass) Regulations, which candidates must pass to qualify for a license. The examination includes a written section covering topics such as magnetism, compass compensation, compass design, and electricity, as well as an oral and practical section that involves the compensation and adjustment of compasses. This legislative instrument aims to ensure that compass adjusters possess the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their duties safely and effectively within the maritime industry.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules 1964, No. 37 primarily concern the issuance of licences to compass adjusters and the amendment of relevant regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1961. Regulation 12 (1.) of the Navigation (Compass) Regulations is modified to allow a Regional Controller to issue a licence to applicants who hold a certificate of competency as an extra master or as a master who has passed a specified examination. This licence is issued in accordance with Form C7 (Regulation 12 (1.)). The syllabus for the compass deviation examination is prescribed in the Second Schedule, which outlines the requirements for the written, oral, and practical sections of the examination (Second Schedule, Regulation 12). The obligations imposed by this legislation on the parties involved are substantial. The Regional Controller is tasked with the responsibility of issuing licences to eligible applicants, ensuring that they meet the specified criteria, including holding a certificate of competency and passing the requisite examination. Applicants must demonstrate their knowledge and practical skills in magnetism, compass compensation, compass design, and electricity, as outlined in the examination syllabus (Second Schedule, Regulation 12). They must achieve a minimum score of 70% in the written section and 50% in each paper, and they must also satisfy the examiner in the oral and practical components. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in the legislation can lead to serious consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the statutory rules, breaches of the Navigation Act 1912-1961 and its regulations can generally result in significant civil or criminal penalties. This may include fines or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and the discretion of the court. The Second Schedule’s detailed examination requirements are designed to ensure that compass adjusters are competent and capable, thereby enhancing maritime safety and navigation standards.

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