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proper use of lines, anchoring gear, and similar equipment is especially essential for the 

 hydrographer. 



Every officer engaged in hydrographic surveying should endeavor to perfect him- 

 self in the theory and practice of navigation. The Chief of Party should encourage his 

 officers in this and provide them with every reasonable opportunity to gain experience 

 in its actual application. Seamanship should be studied and practiced by the officers 

 and the crew, to whom should be made available some of the excellent standard treatises 

 on the subject. (See 9532.) 



The natural environment of a ship is sea water. It has been said that ''any well- 

 found, shipshape, modern, seagoing steamer or motorship is safe so long as she has 

 plenty of water under her keel, plenty of fuel in her bunkers, a competent navigator 

 on her bridge, and a well-trained and disciplined crew at their various stations." The 

 only real danger in a modern vessel at sea is the personal element and one of the worst 

 phases of this factor is the almost universal human tendency to become careless in 

 matters which have become routine. In the very nature of his work, the hydrographer 

 is frequently required to take his vessel into unsurveyed and dangerous waters, but 

 familiarity with such conditions should not lull him into a contempt for the danger 

 involved. Only a continued alertness will keep sufficient "water under her keel." 



The study and practice of navigation and seamanship will provide a "competent 

 navigator" on the ship's bridge and proper training and leadership will provide "a well- 

 trained and disciplined crew." 



1581. Safety of Survey Ship 



The Commanding Officer of a survey ship has a grave responsibility; he is per- 

 sonally responsible for the accomplishments of the party, but he is also responsible for 

 the lives and safety of his officers and crew and for the safety of an expensive survey 

 ship. 



The nature of hydrographic surveying requires that more risk be taken at times 

 than would be necessary in commercial navigation ; this is especially true when operating 

 in an unknown or previously unsurveyed area. To prosecute such work expeditiously 

 it is necessary to run some risks that would otherwise be considered foolhardy. In such 

 cases the Commanding Officer must exercise the nicest discrimination, but both he and 

 his officers must beware of overconfidence. 



In surveying an area where a known danger exists, or where one has been reported 

 or is suspected of existing, the Commanding Officer is negligent in his duty if he fails to 

 take certain definite precautions. He must combat a false sense of security which tends 

 to be built up from years of surveying in dangerous waters. Because of the wide variety 

 of possible dangers and conditions, no all-inclusive rules of safety can be drawn. The 

 following general rules should, however, always be followed during a hydrographic 

 survey when approaching, or surveying in the vicinity of, a known or suspected shoal, 

 which may endanger the vessel; the application in each specific case depending finally 

 on the judgment of the Commanding Officer: 



(1) If practicable, the dangerous area shall be first surveyed from a launch to find and locate the 

 danger and to survey an area around it with which a junction can be made in safety from the survey ship. 



(2) The Commanding Officer, before approaching the area, shall make a careful study of all 

 available data. 



(3) The Commanding Officer shall be on the bridge, and shall assume charge of the navigation 

 of the ship. 



(4) The survey ship shall be slowed down. 



(5) An officer shall be on the lookout in addition to any members of the crew. 



