296 SOCIETY NAVAL ARCHITECTS AND MARINE ENGINEERS. 



for at least half the ship's length amidships and as far forward as the forepeak bulkhead shall 

 extend up the ship's sides to a height above the top of the keel not less than 10 per cent of the 

 ship's molded breadth. 



The foregoing indicate the principal structural requirements prescribed in the Interna- 

 tional Convention on Safety of Life at Sea with a view to increasing safety of construction. 



BACKING POWER AND AUXILIARY STEERING GEAR. 



In Articles 28 of the convention and XXII and XXIII of the regulations it is specified 

 that vessels shall have sufficient power for going astern to secure proper control of the ship 

 under all circumstances; also that vessels shall be provided with an auxiliary steering ap- 

 paratus. 



INITIAL AND SUBSEQUENT SURVEYS. 



Very important provisions of the convention are those which relate to the initial and sub- 

 sequent surveys of vessels. Though necessarily general in terms, the specific provisions 

 of Articles 29 of the convention and XXIV-XXVI of the regulations fix a high standard 

 of requirements which must hereafter be met by the vessels of each signatory state. 



The surveys required are as follows : 



"(A) A survey before the vessel is put in service; 

 "(B) Periodical surveys once each year, and 

 "(C) Additional surveys as occasion arises." 



It is required that these surveys be carried out as follows : 



"(A) The survey before the vessel is put in service shall include a complete inspection 

 of the hull, machinery, and equipments, including the outside of vessel's bottom, and the in- 

 side and outside of boilers. 



"This survey shall be such as to insure that the arrangements, material, and scantlings 

 of the hull, boilers and their appurtenances, main and auxiliary machinery, life-saving appli- 

 ances and other equipments, fully comply with the requirements of this convention and of 

 the detailed regulations promulgated by the Government of the contracting State to which the 

 vessel belongs for vessels of the service for which it is intended. The survey shall also 

 be such as to insure that the workmanship of all parts of the vessel and its equipments is in 

 all respects satisfactory. 



"(B) The periodical survey shall include an inspection of the whole of the hull, boilers, 

 machinery, and equipments, including the outside of the vessel's bottom. The survey shall 

 be such as to insure that the vessel, as regards the hull, boilers, and their appurtenances, 

 main and auxiliary machinery, life-saving apparatus, and other equipments, is in satisfactory 

 condition and fit for the service for which it is intended, and that it complies with the re- 

 quirements of this convention and of the detailed regulations promulgated as a result thereof 

 by the Government of the State to which the vessel belongs. 



"(C) A survey, either general or partial, according to the circumstances, shall be made 

 every time an accident occurs or a defect is discovered which affects the safety of the vessel 

 or the efficiency or completeness of its life-saving appliances or other equipment, or any im- 

 portant renewals or repairs are made. The survey shall be such as to insure that the neces- 

 sary repairs or renewals have been effectively made, that the material or workmanship of 

 such repairs or renewals are in all respects satisfactory, and that the vessel complies in all 

 respects with the provisions of this convention and of the detailed regulations promulgated 

 as a result thereof by the Government of the State to which the vessel belongs." 



