STATUTORY RULES.
1928. No. 53.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE NAVIGATION ACT 1912–1926.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912–1926 to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this thirteenth day of June, 1928.
STONEHAVEN
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
THOS. W. CRAWFORD
for Minister of State for Trade and Customs.
Amendment of Navigation (Distress Signals and Danger Calls)
Regulations.
(Statutory Rules 1924, No. 148.)
1. Regulation 2 of the Navigation (Distress Signals and Danger Calls) Regulations is amended by omitting paragraph (a) and inserting in its stead the following:—
“(a) if the vessel is provided with a wireless telegraph installation, the Distress Call and Distress Message, as follows:—
Firstly, the Distress Call, consisting of—
(i) The Alarm Signal, namely a series of twelve dashes sent in one minute, the duration of each dash being four seconds and the duration of the space separating each dash from the following dash being one second, followed by—
(ii) The Distress Signal, namely the letters SOS (… — — — …) made as one sign and repeated for half a minute; and
(iii) The word de and the call signal of the ship in distress, sent twice; and
Secondly, the Distress Message, consisting of—
(i) The Distress Signal, namely the letters SOS (… — — — …) made as one sign, sent twice;
(ii) The word de;
(iii) The call signal of the ship in distress, sent twice;
(iv) The name of the ship, its position, the nature of its distress, and the kind of assistance required.”
2.Regulation 6 of the Navigation (Distress Signals and Danger Calls) Regulations is amended by inserting after sub-regulation (1) the following sub-regulation:—
“(1a) All bearings and directions of wind or current shall be given as True unless stated to be Magnetic. On no account are uncorrected compass bearings or directions to be used.”
By Authority: H. J. Green, Government Printer, Canberra.
1313.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1928, No. 53, consist of Regulations made under the Navigation Act 1912–1926, designed to update and refine maritime communication protocols. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, these Regulations address the need for clear and standardised distress signals to enhance maritime safety and coordination. The policy objective is to ensure that vessels communicate distress effectively and unambiguously, thereby improving response times and the likelihood of successful rescue operations.
These Regulations specifically amend the existing Navigation (Distress Signals and Danger Calls) Regulations to update the distress call procedure and clarify the manner in which bearings and directions are to be communicated. By establishing a precise format for distress signals and emphasising the use of true bearings, the Regulations aim to reduce misunderstandings and enhance the efficacy of maritime distress communications.
Scope and Application
The Statutory Rules 1928, No. 53, made under the Navigation Act 1912–1926, pertain to amendments to the Navigation (Distress Signals and Danger Calls) Regulations. These regulations apply to vessels navigating within the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically addressing the distress signals and danger calls that must be transmitted by ships equipped with a wireless telegraph installation. The amendment specifies the format and sequence of distress calls and messages, including the Alarm Signal, Distress Signal, and the information that must be conveyed such as the ship’s name, position, the nature of its distress, and the kind of assistance required. Additionally, the regulation mandates that all bearings and directions must be given as True unless explicitly stated to be Magnetic, prohibiting the use of uncorrected compass bearings or directions. These regulations are designed to ensure consistency and clarity in maritime distress communications, thereby enhancing maritime safety and rescue operations within Australian waters.
Key Provisions
The primary changes introduced by the Statutory Rules 1928, No. 53 pertain to the amendment of the Navigation (Distress Signals and Danger Calls) Regulations, specifically under the Navigation Act 1912–1926. Regulation 2 has been modified to update the Distress Call and Distress Message for vessels equipped with a wireless telegraph installation (Regulation 2). The new Distress Call includes the Alarm Signal, followed by the Distress Signal SOS, and the vessel's call signal sent twice. The Distress Message requires the Distress Signal, the vessel's call signal, its name, position, the nature of the distress, and the type of assistance needed. Regulation 6 has also been amended with the addition of sub-regulation (1a), stipulating that all bearings and directions of wind or current must be given as True unless explicitly stated to be Magnetic, prohibiting the use of uncorrected compass bearings or directions (Regulation 6(1a)).
These regulations impose specific obligations on vessels provided with a wireless telegraph installation to ensure effective communication during distress situations. They must follow the prescribed format for sending Distress Calls and Distress Messages, ensuring clarity and specificity in their communication. Additionally, vessels are required to provide bearings and directions accurately, using True bearings unless otherwise specified, and must avoid the use of uncorrected compass bearings.
Failure to comply with the stipulated distress signal and communication protocols can result in serious consequences. While the legislation does not explicitly detail penalties for non-compliance, it is reasonable to infer that breaches could lead to safety hazards and legal repercussions under the broader Navigation Act 1912–1926. The potential consequences could include fines, imprisonment, or other penalties as determined by relevant maritime authorities. The precise penalties would be subject to the applicable laws and regulations in force at the time of the offence.