Conversational theme № 39

I. Read, translate and learn the text:

The internatiohal law of the sea

International law governs maritime intercourse and is a body of rules which States consider they are bound to observe in their mutual relations.

The High Seas. When a State has a see boarder, a certain portion of the sea adjacent to its coasts is subject to its jurisdiction. The sea beyond the limits of territorial jurisdic­tion is called the high sea. It follows that no given State is entitled to occupy it.

Territorial Waters. The waters which are adjacent to a State’s territory are of two kinds:

1. territorial;

2. interior or national.

Territorial waters are those included within a definite maritime zone or belt adjacent to a State's territory; Within these waters, it is generally recognised that foreign Powers may claim certain rights for their vessels and their subjects, the chief of which is the right of innocent passage.

Interior or national waters, on the other hand, consist of State’s harbours, ports and roadsteads and of its internal gulfs and bays, straits, lakes and rivers. In these waters, apart from special conventions, foreign States, cannot, as a matter of strict law, demand any rights for their vessels or subjects although for reasons based on the interests of inter­national commerce and navigation, it may be asserted that an international custom has grown in modern times that the access of foreign vessels to these waters should not be refused except on compelling national grounds.

Bays and Gulfs. Bays which penetrate deep into the land are called gulfs. It is not so easy to lay down a definite rule on the limit of territorial waters in the case of Bays or gulfs. Bays not exceeding six miles across at the entrance are natio­nal waters when both sides belong to the same State. Some trea­ties consider the territorial belt as covering the whole bay when the distance between the two banks does not exceed ten miles.

Straits. Where the land on both sides of a strait belongs to the same Power, the waters are national if the width at the entrance does not exceed six miles.

II. NOTES:

maritime intercourse - морские отношения, связи

adjacent - смежный, соседний

as a matter of strict law -дело, требующее строго соблюдения закона

on Compelling national grounds -подчинение национальным интересам

penetrate - проникать, проходить

III. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. What does the maritime intercourse govern?

2. How do we call the sea beyond the limits of territorial jurisdiction?

3. What two types of waters do you know?

4. How do we call bays which penetrate deep into the land?

5. When do we consider the waters of the bay national?

Conversational theme № 40

I. Read, translate and learn the text:

Safe operation of ships

The International Convention for the Safety of life at sea is concerned with safety and health on ships. It had been adopted in 1948 in London. The Regulation; include all aspects such аs: safe conditions of workplaces, keeping ladders and companionways clear of obstructions, provision and maintenance of non-slip walking surfaces, adequate lighting, heating and ven­tilation, appropriate instructions.

The master of the ship shall be supplied with data necessary to maintain sufficient intact stability under service conditions to enable the ship to withstand the critical damage.

There shall be permanently exibited, for the guidance of the officer in charge of the ship plan showing clearly for each deck and hold the boundaries of the watertight compartments, the ope­nings therein with the means of closure and position of any controls thereof, and the arrangements for the correction of any list due to a casualty whether the ship is upright or listed.

In no саsе shall any subdivision load line mark be placed above the deepest load line in salt water as determined by the strength of the ship and/or the International Convention respec­ting Load Lines in force.

All sidescuttles the sills of which are below the margin line, other than those required to be of a non opening type shall be of such construction as will effectively prevent any person opening them without the consent of the Master of the ship.

Ships shall be provided with an efficient bilge pumping plant capable of pumping from and draining any watertight com­partment which is neither a permanent oil compartment nor a per­manent water compartment.

The main steering gear shall be of adequate strength and sufficient to steer the ship at maximum service speed. The main steering gear and rudder stock shall be so designed that they are not damaged at maximum astern speed.

II. NOTES:

sidescuttles - иллюминаторы

sills -нижние кромки

consent -разрешение

Intact stability - остойчивость

upright - прямее положение

margin line - предельная линия

rudder stock - баллер руля

companionways - сходный трап

III. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. What do the regulations include?

2. Where and when was the convention adopted?

3. What shall the master of the ship be supplied with?

4. Does the master need instructions?

5. Where must any subdivision load line mark be placed?