CHAPTER IV

ACCIDENTS AND SAFETY

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE AND POLLUTION

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Art.59 - Accidents :

(1)Whenever a vessel is underway and accidentally stopped, she must if other vessels are following, attract their attention by giving five or six short blasts on the whistle or siren. This signal is to be repeated at short intervals. It means :

" I am reducing speed and may have to stop and make fast "

Vessels stopped accidentally at night, must in addition, immediately replace their White light astern by a Red light.

(2)In case of grounding, the Master must immediately hoist the signal shown in Part III, Art. 93 of these Rules, and send a radio message whether a tug is required or not, whether or not passage is clear for the tug and whether lightening is necessary, etc.

(3)When a vessel runs aground, CA Officials are alone empowered to order and direct all operations required to get the vessel afloat and in case of need, to get her unloaded and towed. Nevertheless, Masters remain responsible for all damages or accidents of any kind which may be direct or indirect consequent to the grounding.

(4)All attempts on the part of other vessels to get off a vessel aground are strictly prohibited.

(5)When a vessel stops in the Canal itself in consequence of an accident other than ( collision, engine troubles auxiliary and steering gear troubles ) CA, in order to clear the way with all possible speed and to get her underway, will assist by the necessary tugs to afloat her, free of charge.

(6)If once afloat, and the Canal Officials find it necessary to tow or escort the vessel by a tug or more, she must from that moment, pay towage charges as mentioned in Part IV , p. 208. Moreover, it is understood that the vessel bears all expenses necessary for repairs of any damage or breakdown which might interfere with her getting underway, regardless of the time when such damage or breakdown takes place.

(7)When a vessel grounds or stops outside the Canal itself or if the grounding or stoppage is due to a collision, all charges for getting the vessel afloat, towing, unloading, etc..., are payable by the vessel and must be settled as per statement drawn up by CA before the vessel leaves Port Said or Port of Suez.

(8)Whenever a collision appears probable, vessels must not hesitate to run aground should this be necessary to avoid it.

(9)When a vessel or floating structure of any description runs aground or strands or sinks or is left abandoned, either in the Canal itself or in one of its ports, Waiting and Anchorage Areas and CA deems an obstruction or a menace to navigation in Canal Waters, the Authority has the right to take of its own accord such action as may be necessary for the purpose of removing or destroying the vessel or floating structure by whatever means CA may select and at the risk and expense of the owner of, or the person responsible for the vessel or the floating structure. The SCA has in this case, the right to sell the vessel or the floating structure of the wreck salvaged or all of them together in public auctions with a view to covering all kinds of expenses.