INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA. 297 



QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY AND AGREEMENT. 



In the course of the dehberations of the Committee on Safety of Construction questions 

 arose which could not be fully considered at that time, as it would have involved extensive 

 and prolonged investigations, mathematical calculations, and, in some instances, experiments. 

 The convention definitely provided, however, for future undertakings of this character by in- 

 dividual States and for the free exchange of any definite results obtained. This provision 

 for further research and a free interchange of information obtained is contained in Article 

 30 of the convention. It is a very important provision and when given full effect by the sig- 

 natory States will undoubtedly produce excellent results. 



SUMMARY. 



It is not claimed that ideals have been attained ; indeed, there is always room for im- 

 provement and progress. But a good beginning has been made and it is believed that the 

 spirit shown by the representatives of the various countries participating in the conference 

 affords ample evidence that there will follow, through the instrumentalities provided by the 

 convention, still further developments in ship construction and arrangement which will in- 

 crease the safety of travel at sea. 



It is well to bear in mind, however, that there can never be absolute safety at sea any 

 more than there can be complete security of travel by land. Even perfection of material, 

 were such attainable, must be accompanied by vigilance of personnel and the exercise of 

 careful and prudent seamanship. In fact, we may accept without reservation the absolute 

 accuracy of the following paragraph from the summary of the work of the Committee on 

 Safety of Construction, as given in the closing address of the president of the conference : 



"In concluding this summary of the provisions on 'safety of construction' it is im- 

 portant to point out that, even after the most careful attention to all practicable details of 

 design which increase the safety of a vessel at sea, there still remains the possibility of a 

 serious and even totally destructive accident. Therefore, it is imperative that those charged 

 with the management of vessels should never relax their vigilance on the supposition that 

 any vessel is unsinkable. On the contrary, they should strive to add to the safety provided 

 by the vessel itself that very great increase in safety which results from prudent and skillful 

 management and navigation." 



Chapter V. 

 RADIOTELEGRAPHY. 



APPARATUS. 



Wireless apparatus working at least 100 miles, day or night (Art. 35), is required on all 

 vessels — steam, sail, motor, passenger, or cargo — having on board 50 or more persons (pas- 

 sengers or crew, or both) on ocean voyages in foreign trade or on voyages between the 

 nations represented and their colonies (Art. 31). This range of apparatus and minimum 



