424 INTERNATIONAL LAWS FOR THE 



to commence at a certain time, and keep at it, as long 

 as the fish remain on the grounds, say from one to 

 three months, so that, in fishing parlance, what is here 

 termed a voyage is only one trip of the voyage. A 

 drifter may leave and return to port perhaps four or five 

 times a week under favourable circumstances if the fish 

 lie close in. If this were to become law in connection 

 with the next clause, these vessels would have to clear in 

 and out at the custom house every time, and at some 

 ports at certain times fifty clerks, working night and day, 

 would not be sufficient Vessels frequently arrive in port 

 at night after the custom house is closed, discharge their 

 fish and go to sea again in the morning before it is 

 opened. 



Clause H. There are serious objections to fishing vessels 

 of any description being classed as foreign-going ships 

 within the sections of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1854, 

 referred to in this clause. If this were to become law, the 

 effect would be that fishing vessels within the clause could 

 not proceed to sea unless the master and mate had certifi- 

 cates of competency. This would sometimes act very 

 hardly on fishing vessels, for if the master or mate were 

 taken ill the vessel would probably be detained ; whereas 

 it now happens that when the master is taken ill, the mate 

 usually takes charge, and the next in acting to the mate 

 takes his place for the time being. If this proposed law 

 permitted the next in grade to take the master's and mate's 

 places respectively in cases of emergency for that voyage 

 only, irrespective of certificates, no injury would be done, 

 but if this is not done it will often inflict an injury both on 

 the owner and the rest of the crew. It would also be better 

 from a practical point of view, because these men would be 

 accustomed to the working of the vessel and her gear, 



