354 



INTERNATIONAL LAWS FOR THE 



the vessel for the purposes of identification and various 

 other minor matters. 



Rigging. The rigging and providing of stores and utensils is 



then proceeded with according to the idea of the owner. 

 This may be all new or partly new, or sometimes all old, 

 having belonged to a vessel which has been condemned, 

 the new one being built on the same lines and of the same 

 tonnage ; for though the hull may have been condemned 

 the spars, rigging, sails, and stores may be in good order, 

 as this part of fishing vessels is constantly being renewed. 

 When this is the case the new vessel generally receives the 

 same fishery number as the old one. 



Insurance. To insure the vessel is the next step, and this is entirely 



at the owner's option, and is generally done. The insurance 

 clubs at the various ports are as a rule admirably conducted, 

 and are usually registered under the Limited Liability Act. 

 Periodical surveys are made of the vessels on a similar plan 

 to that introduced by Plimsoll's Act, and in the event of 

 any defect being found in the hull, rigging, or equipment, 

 notice is given to the owner to put the same in order at once. 

 These clubs also supervise the masters of the vessels and 

 take cognisance of any neglect or bad conduct on their part. 

 If, after notice has been given by any club to its members 

 of the negligence, misconduct, or incompetence of any 

 master, such master is employed on board any vessel 

 insured in that club, no compensation would be allowed to 

 the owner in the event of any damage occurring to the 

 vessel of which such master was in command. Nets or 

 gear are not insured under any circumstances, as this 

 would be impossible. There could be no method of ascer- 

 taining the value of the gear lost, as nets are constantly 

 being changed. In case of the total loss of vessel and 

 nets the same would be the case. Thus, every owner of a 

 fishing vessel which goes to sea must of necessity have a 



