The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-01-04
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
ALL ISLAND STEAMERS TO BE
INSPECTED.
Careful Testing of Hulls and Boilers.
Examinations the Captains, Mates
and Engineers Must Pass.

On. the Alameda next Tuesday, Cap
tain Whitney and Mr.. Lehners, United
States inspectors of hulls and boilers
are expected to arrive in Honolulu, to
take up the task of examining every
steamer used in the island trade here
and Issuing licenses to the captains
mates and engineers who are able to
pass the necessary examinations. The
officers who ean0t pass the eXamina-
tiOns will have to lose their positions
and if there are any vessels that do not
stand the test they will have to be laid
off. In the certificates that the federal
officials issue for the steamers there
win be given the number of passen-
gers such vessels may carry.
The following section of the law, re-
garding captains, which is similar to
the sections about engineers, mates and
pilots, shows what the local employees
of the steamship companies have to
expect:
Whichever any person applies to be
licensed as master of any steam vessel,
or Of a sail vessel of over seven hun
dred tons, the inspectors shall make
diligent inquiry as to his character,
and shall carefully examine the appli-
cant as well as the proofs which he
presents in support of his claim and if
they are satisfied that his capacity. ex-
perience, habits of life, and character
are such as warrant the belief that he
can be safely intrusted with the duties
and responsibilities of the station for
which he makes application, they shall
grant him license authorizing him to
so discharge such duties on any such
vessel for the term of five years; but
| such license shall be suspended or re-
! voked upon satisfactory proof of bad
conduct Incorporate habits. incapaCity
| inattention to his duties, or the willful
violation of any provision of this title
| applicable to him.
! 1t is expected that the work of the
! inspectors viii make a number of
changes in the island business here.
! The Wilder Steamship Company and
! the Inter-Isand Company have both
! been making active preparations for
the examinations their employees are to
! take providing ample opportunities for
| the men to learn. but it is thought that
a number will fail to pass. The eX
| animation for a navigator is a rather
hard one and includes a good deal of
mathematics. The men are al work now
getting ready for the ordeal In both
! the companies fleets there are some
men who are already navigators and
hold steamship licenses.
The inspection of the steamboats, VIII
| be very thorough. The hulls will be
tested and the engines carefully eX-
amined and all the requirements of the
law as to lifeboats, pumps, hose, life
|
After the first inspection the vessels
will be inspected at least once a year.
| All sailing vessels of over 700 tons are
subject to the same examinations. If
they carry passengers, sailing vessels
of over 100 tons register will be in
| spected.
Section 4465 of the laws govern
ing the inspection is one that may
make important changes in the island
passengers business. 1t declares that
1T shall not be lawful to take on board
of any steamer a greater number of
passengers than is stated in the certi-
ficate of inspection" 1t is said that
the certificates will allow a good deal
smaller number of passengers than has
ordinarily been carried including the
deck passengers, on the island boats
| here.
The laws contain an elaborate list
of regulations regarding boilers, hulls,
and almost everything else about the
steamers, with many rules of service
which the masters and owners Will
have to follow. These laws have not
been enforced yet, as the national gov
ernment has not sent the inspectors
here, but when the inspectors who are
coming get through, the navigation
laws of the United States will be APP
piled to the island steamship business,
as they are already applied to ship
ping business between here and the