9

CANALS

Canals are artificially created sea passages and this is their difference from straits. Canals are designated for reduc­tion of sea routes and decreasing risk and danger of navigation. They are usually built in those places. Where their existence gives maximum efficiency and benefits for navigation, normal rate of passing through Suez canal equals 20 thousand vessels per year as 14 thousand vessels pass through Panama canal. Tech­nical improvements increase their traffic carrying capacity and the depth of the fairway in its turn increases the tonnage of by passing vessels. All this requires certain maritime law regula­tion regime and particular international rules for navigation which have to provide constant traffic of all nations through them.

For instance Corinth and Saimaa canals do not belong to the international water ways therefore they have their own navigation regime. Greek law regulates the passage through Corinth canal. Passage through Saimaa canal is determined by the agreement between Finland and Russia.

Kiel canal connects the Baltic sea and the North sea. It was built in 1896. The passage through this canal is regula­ted by the government of the Federal republic of Germany and foresees innocent passage for merchant vessels of all countries.

II. NOTES:

1. artificially - искусственно

2. designate - предназначать

3. traffic carrying capacity - пропускная способность

4. fairway - фарватер

Fire prevention measures

Fire prevention measures of ships are provided by its const­ructive, Organisational and technical aspects and also by adequate actions of the crew in their fight with fire. It is noted that considerable per cent of fire accidents is connected with the exp­losion and ignition of light type fuel. Explosions of hydraulic systems, short circuits, defects in electrical equipment have also high frequency. Usually fire in the engine-room is the result of lubricants ignition in the bearings of the main and auxiliary mechanisms.

The other type of "thermal" accidents takes place because of the open fire that is because of sparks during welding process. But we mustn't forget about negligency of the crew or ship buil­der's shortcomings. It is necessary to observe requirements on storage of dangerous materials. Holds should be dry and clean with appropriate ventilation. Paints must have low thermal conductivity with the aim to lessen the spreading speed of fire.

Inflammable materials must have inscription and marking, be checked periodically on validity and expiration date, leakage, tig­htness of cover and so on. It is compulsory for every ship to have highly efficient fire extinguishing systems and also individual breathing apparatus, means for hands protection, in a word everything that is necessary to save life of every man at sea.

II. Notes:

Short circuit - короткое замыкание

bearings - подшипники

ignition - возгорание

sparks - искры

welding - сварка

shortcomings - недостатки

validity - пригодность

expiration date - истечение срока годности

extinguishing systems - системы огнетушения

extinguisher - огнетушитель

Life saving appliances

The safety of a vessel and her crew is the Master’s responsibility who must ensure seaworthyness and experienced crew. He also must ensure sufficient number of safety equipment which is properly maintained and stowed. The crew has to know where it is kept and how it is used. All vessels must comply with the laws of their country of registration and relevant, applicable Shipping Act or Regulations regarding safety precau­tions and life saving appliances.

What concerns life jackets at least one approved must be for every person on board. It is recommended that they are equip­ped with a whistle and a light. They must be stowed ready at hand.

A Safety Harness should be worn by all sailors on deck in heavy weather or during the hours of darkness or restricted visibility. There must be an adequate number of strong-points on the vessel to which safety harnesses can be attached. There are lifebuoys of either circular or horseshoe shape of adequate size and buoyancy. Both must be carried on deck, ready for ins­tant use; one must be within easy reach of the helmsman and equipped with a self-igniting buoy-light and dan marker.

Hundreds of lives have been saved by liferafts and in several cases the weather was such that a conventional lifeboat would have been useless. Liferafts vary in size from a 4 man up to a 42 man. All liferafts are capable of carrying double the numbers for which they are certified. Liferafts must be carried on deck or in a special stowage opening immediately. They must be capable of being launched within 30 seconds», They have two separate buoyancy compartments each, of which is automatically inflatable and are capable to carry its rated capacity with on compartment deflated.

Strong and effective lifelines of wire rope or metal tube, or a combination of both ought to be fitted right round the vessel including bow and stern without a break.

Their height from deck level equals 61 cm Lowering of the lifeboat may call for considerable preparation. The danger of the lifeboat swinging heavily against the ship's side while being lowered, and sustaining grievious damage before she is in the water, is so imminent that it will usually be advisable to pass two wires under the bottom of the boat.