LESSON 17

CLAIMS ON COLLISIONS

Words and Word Combinations

accident несчастный случай, авария

to occur происходить, случаться, иметь место inevitable неизбежный beyond вне, сверх, выше occasion случай, возможность, обстоятельство, событие lack of недостаток, отсутствие чего-л.

negligence небрежность, халатность disregard невнимание, игнорирование neglect пренебрежение

and the like и тому подобное

disastrous бедственный, катастрофический to seek искать, разыскивать

guilty виновный, виноватый

to sue преследовать судебным порядком, возбуждать, предъявлять иск to sheer отклоняться от курса, рыскать

to run against столкнуться, натолкнуться

to cross-examine подвергать перекрестному допросу to inquire наводить справки, расследовать

on behalf of от имени (кого-л.)

statutes for (he merchant ships уставы для торговых судов thoroughly тщательно

to apply применять, прилагать

to obey подчиняться, выполнять (приказ) to prescribe предписывать

irrespective of безотносительно, независимо (от чего-л.)

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to Interpret; interpretation переводить, толковать; толкование proceedings судопроизводство, ведение дела hirer наниматель to compensate for возмещать, компенсировать

to crumple мять, комкать to choose выбирать

to rely (upon) полагаться, доверять demand требование, просьба

at all совсем, вообще minor второстепенный to miss пропустить, упустить, проглядеть basis основание, исходный пункт rumours слухи

wrong неправильный, неверный lawyer адвокат, юрист

solicitor поверенный, адвокат, юрисконсульт to cope with справиться

to adduce представлять, приводить (в качестве свидетелей,

доказательства)

to be domiciled иметь постоянное жительство summons судебная повестка

Expressions

to bear responsibility нести ответственность to be at fault быть виновным

to hear the case слушать дело

to collect evidence собирать свидетельские показания

to pass a decision выносить решение opposing party противная сторона

(юр.)

to bring the action against to bring the suit to the court возбудить судебное дело

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in ample time заблаговременно, вовремя

that's worthy of praise это заслуживает похвалы

the more so тем более, что the bags got soaked мешки подмокли

He is an old hand at this business. Он знаток этого дела.

to lodge a Sea Protest оформить морской протест (у нотариуса)

to spot a vessel on the radar screen обнаружить судно на экране локатора

TEXT

The sailing oа ships is not always smooth and undisturbed. Accidents, though comparatively rare, may sometimes occur to ships. Apart from some inevitable accidents beyond the control of man, there are some occasions when lack of experience, negligence, violation or disregard of the Rules of the Road or of the ordinary practice of seamen, neglect of necessary precautions and the like may lead to disastrous results.

When, as a result of an accident, a ship has sustained or caused some material damage, it is natural to seek a guilty party and make this party bear responsibility for the damage. Under laws of many countries a vessel or her owners may be sued for damages due to fault in collision.

If the damage is insignificant, and it is absolutely evident which of the two ships is at fault (as for instance, when a ship mooring or unmooring next to your berth accidentally sheers and runs against your vessel), then the captains of both ships may come to an amicable settlement as to the repairs to be made and the money to be paid by the guilty party. Sometimes, in such cases a recourse to the harbour master's authority may be very helpful to settle the dispute quicker.

In more embarrassing cases, when there is uncertainty as to which of the vessels is guilty of collision or the damage is too great, the case is brought before the court. The court calls in the witnesses, hears, examines and cross-examines them, inquires into the ship's log book, collects evidence and passes a decision.

In most cases the action against the opposing party is brought by the

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shipowner or by their representatives on behalf of the owners. In both cases the captain of a ship is to report at once to his owners of the accident. Sometimes, when the circumstances are imperative, the captain himself is obliged to bring the suit to court.

It goes without saying that the majority of accidents at sea result from the fact that inexperienced deck officers sometimes violate, disregard or neglect the Rules of the Road or the official statutes for the merchant ships. Consequently, to minimize the risk of collisions, the young officers should thoroughly study and perfectly understand not only the letter but also the spirit of these Rules. They should be able to apply intelligently these Rules to a given situation. It should be also borne in mind that the efficiency of actions prescribed by these Rules depends to a large extent upon a very essential factor which is often overlooked by young officers. The actions should be taken in ample time to provide for perfect security and safety.

A sound knowledge of these rules is also very important for another reason! Inasmuch as the Rules of the Road are universally adopted and must be obeyed by all ships irrespective of flag, ownership, size and service this knowledge will help a mariner to prove at any court that his actions were quite correct and reasonable. It will also help him to show fault on the part of the other vessel should he be involved in the collision predicament.

An intelligent seaman should also know how these Rules are interpreted at the court, so to say, from the juridical point of view. He should acquaint himself with the court interpretation of such terms as "inevitable accident", "moderate speed", "efficient whistle", "flareup light", "proper lookout", "special circumstances", "immediate danger", "ordinary practice of seamen", "risk of collision", etc., as this will greatly assist him in understanding the court proceedings and procedure better.

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