Conversational theme № 14

I. Read, translate and learn the text:

The international transport workers federation

The International Transport Workers Federation -ITF was established in July 1896 as a reply to labour conflict in Rotterdam. Rotterdam dockers arranged a strike protesting against an attempt to decrease their wages. This strike had been supported by sailors who refused to unload ships instead of dockers. Having heard about this British sailor' trade unions went to Rotterdam and arranged support to striking dockers.

Unification of sailors and dockers trade unions from several countries has led to the establishment of the ITF which consolidates transport workers of the marine, river, railway, automobile and civil aviation. Headquarters of the ITF is situated in London. Its regional bureau are situated in Nairoby for Africa, in Lima for Latin America, in Kuala Lumpur for Asia.

The main body of the ITF is the congress. It defines the politics of the ITF. It is held once in four years. Now there are about 5 mln members from more than 100 countries. Aims of the ITF are given in the Constitution adopted at the 36^th Congress in August 1990, in Florence. They are as follows:

• to promote growth of the respect to trade union rights and human rights all over the world;

• to render assistance to transport workers in a predicament;

• to assist trade union members and to protect their interests;

• to work for the sake of peace based on social justice and economic progress;

• to provide members of the Organisation with services in the field of research and information;

The ITF strives to ensure all crews with such conditions of labour and payment which would correspond to generally accepted international standards and minimum quota.

It is noteworthy that in the course of the campaign against "the flags of convenience" every day dockers all over the world support sailors in their just struggle. Joint agreement of the ITF contains points in accordance with which sailors have right to refuse to fulfil dockers' work. Although dockers have no analogous point they constantly support sailors' requirements. At the same time they get nothing for their own benefit. They do so in solidarity with the trade unions.

II. NOTES:

The International Transport Workers Federation - Профсоюз транспортных рабочих to decrease wages - понизить заработную плату

to refuse - отказываться

to arrange - организовывать

unification - объединение

define - определять

to promote - способствовать

"the flag of convenience" - удобный флаг

predicament - затруднительное положение

to strive - стремиться

benefit - выгода

3. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. When was the ITF established?

2. What has led to the establishment of the ITF?

3. What is the main body of the ITF?

4. Where are the ITF aims given and what are they?

5. What campaign is conducted by the ITF?

Conversational theme № 15

I. Read, translate and learn the text:

Navigational charts

It is known that for many years Great Britain and Russia have been main chart suppliers in the world. A chart is one of the most important publications for safety navigation. Parts of the sea or of the ocean are given in it with the indication of depth, character of ground, coast line, dangers and wrecks. There are such notions as: geographical elements and navigational elements. All these elements have special marks and symbols.

According to scale charts are subdivided into Ocean chats, General charts, Plans and Large Scale charts. The Natural Scale is the proportion which any measurement on the chart bears to the actual distance.

There are three Projections: Mercator; Gnomonic and Stereographic. While reading charts we must know\ definite amount of conventional abbreviations and signs which are grouped under titles: the coastline, coastal features, topography, natural and artificial features, control points, units of measurement, adjectives — characteristics, harbours, buildings — as prominent marks, different objects, Lights, buoys and beacons, radio and radar, fog signals, dangers, various limits, soundings, depth contours, quality of the bottom, tides and currents, principal foreign terms.

Every chart begins from corrections date, dimensions of the plate and also of chart datum as well as heights and drying heights are introduced. Figures on the land show the Heights in feet above High Water Springs. At the same time the datum to which the soundings are reduced true is the level of Mean Low Water Springs, the datum is the level of the sea for places where there is no tide.

Charts are generally drawn on the True Meridian, if not, a True Meridian is given on the Chart. Longitudes are refered to the Meridian of True Meridian Greenwich. Direction shows us that all Bearings are true and are given from seaward. The Bearings are referred to the True Compass, and given in Degrees are reckoned clockwise from 000° (North to 359°). The Annual Change in Magnetic Variation is shown at certain positions on the curves. A positive (+) prefix denotes an annual increase, and negative (-) prefix an annual decrease in the variation.

While working with charts it is necessary to pay due attention to cautions and notes. It is of common knowledge that charts are always published by the Hydrographer of the Navy, London.

II. NOTES:

wreck - остовы разбитого судна, останки крушения

General chart - генеральные карты

Large Scale chart - крупномасштабные карты

conventional abbreviations - общепринятые сокращения

prominent marks - приметные ориентиры

soundings - измеренные глубины

dimensions - размеры

chart datum - нуль карты

bearings - пеленги

be reckoned - подсчитываться

clockwise - в направлении часовой стрелки

cautions - предостережения

curve - кривая линия

III. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. What countries are the main chart suppliers in the world?

2. What information is given in the chart?

3. What projections are used for the chart?

4. What abbreviations must be known?

5. Why is it necessary to pay due attention to cautions?