Accident, collisions, salvage operations

1. Halifax, 16th March, 20...

To the Master

of the M/V «Gloria»

Port of Halifax

Dear Sir,

Yesterday at 19.30. GMT my ship was proceeding slowly in dense fog to the anchorage indicated, giving prescribed fog signals.

At 20.00. GMT your ship which was weighing anchor without sounding any signals ran against my vessel causing a big hole on my ship's aft (poop), starboard side.

I make reserve for more damages which may arise on a more accurate inspection.

Under the circumstances I have to hold you responsible for the dama­ge caused and kindly ask you to come personally to verify the scope of damage.

Yours faithfully,

Master of the M/V «Pushkin»

 

2. Halifax, 16th March, 20...

To the Harbour Master,

Port of Halifax

Dear Sir,

I beg to inform you that on the 15th of March, 20..., at 20.00. GMT while proceeding slowly in dense fog to the anchorage indicated the fishing-trawler «Pushkin» under my command collided with the M/V «Gloria» and sustained much damage of the hull, starboard side.

The collision took place because the M/V «Gloria» while weighing an­chor was not giving any sound signals prescribed by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

Under the circumstances, the responsibility for the collision must be charged on the «Gloria», the Master whereof has been duly notified by me.

Yours faithfully,

(signature)

Master of the M/V «Pushkin»

 

3. Humburg, March 19, 20...

To the Master and/or Owners

of the M/V «Viking»

Port of Humburg

Dear Sir(s),

On the 18th inst. at 11.00. GMT my ship entered the ice area in psn... When making her way through ice floes she reduced her speed to the minimum steerage way and continually altered course and speed, expe­riencing ice pounding against her hull.

At 12.00. GMT when we were proceeding with the engine at full speed ahead, but very slowly owing to heavy ice, your M/V «Viking» which was at a very short distance from our aft, suddenly struck against my ship causing a big hole in.the way of tank No. 3, starboard side.

Therefore, I have to hold you and your owners responsible for the damage caused and the consequences which may arise therefrom, of which please take due note.

Yours faithfully,

Master of the M/V «Kekur»

 

4. Las Palmas, 20 July, 20...

To the Master of the M/V «AL-Ahram»,

Port of Las Palmas

Dear Sir,

This is to inform you that on July 19, 20..., my ship, M/V «Trud», was riding at, anchor in the outer roads of Las Palmas. The weather con­ditions were favourable: northerly wind force 3, moderate sea and visibility more than 10 miles.

At 2.20 GMT the vessel approaching outer roads from eastward, which proved to be your ship, the «Al-Ahram», dropped her starboard anchor and reversed her engine astern without slowing down. But the ship continued to progress under her own momentum and at 12.30. she struck against my starboard side in the way of a fore mast causing a big hole and other da­mages described in the enclosed Surveyor report.

As a result of the collision occurred my ship lost her steerage way and was taken to the Astican Co. slipway for urgent repairs. The preliminary estimation of the damages caused amounts to U.S. долл. 30,000.

Under the circumstances I have to hold you and your owners respon­sible for the damage caused and the consequences which may arise theref­rom, of which please take due note.

Yours faithfully,

(signature)

Master of the M/V «Trud»

 

5. Las Palmas, Sept. 20, 20...

Тo the Master of

the M/V «Ranada»

Port of Las Palmas

Dear Sir,

As you know the vessel under your command collided last night with my vessel «Slava» making damages in the forecastle, a dent of 30 metres long by 60 cm high by 30 cm deep and also damaged the motor boat launching winch.

You were invited to visit my vessel and had personally checked the damages.

I offer you to take the responsibility for those damages and to settle this matter amicably by paying the respective sum of U.S. $. 1,500 to our agents.

Thanking you beforehand, I remain, dear Sir.

Yours faithfully,

(signature)

Master of the M/V «Slava»

 

6. Las Palmas, September 22nd, 20... To the Master and/or Owners

of the M/V «Ranada»

Port of Las Palmas

Dear Sir (s),

In reply to your letter of the 21st inst., from which we have learnt that you are not willing to admit our claim for damage, at U.S. 1500 $ as.estimated by the official Surveyor, we think its expedient and prudent to refer our dispufe to arbitration in Moscow by the Maritime ArbitrationCommission.

Enclosed please find two copies of Arbitration Agreement for Cases of Collision one of which we would ask you to sign and return.

Yours faithfully, (signature)

Master of the M/V «Slava»

 

7. Antwerp., 17th Oct., 20... Messrs. C. Murray & Co., Ltd., Ship Agent

38 Rue Leopold,

Antwerp, Belgium

Dear Sirs,

I would ask you kindly to inform the Harbour Master and all persons concerned that by the present I positively protest against detention of my ship, in connection with the collision as my vessel is a state-owned ship and consequently has a privilige of immunity, being exempt from liens.

Please take all necessary measuresto have my ship immediately relea­sed from detainment.

Yours faithfully,

(signature)

Master of the M/V «Volga»

VOCABULARY

accident n- авария; происшествие; несчастный случай

to weigh anchor -поднимать якорь, сниматься с якоря

to run against -натолкнуться на; «навалиться» (о судне).

to make reserve for – оставить за собой право (здесь: требовать возмещения убытков)

poop n ют, полуют; корма

arise (arose, arisen) - возникать

to verify the scope of- damage выяснить размер повреждений

to sustain damage- понести ущерб

to charge responsibility on someone -возложить ответственность на кого-либо

notify (duly)- уведомить (надлежащим обра­зом)

ice floe - ледяное поле

minimum steerage way минимальный ход, необходимый для управления судном

ice pounding against- the hull удары льда о корпус судна

heavy ice - тяжелые льды

to strike against- удариться о что-либо последствия

consequences which may arise from - которые могут воз­никнуть в связи с этим

to ride at anchor- стоять на якоре

outer roads- внешний рейд

which proved to be-которое оказалось

to reverse the engine astern- дать задний ход

to slow down- уменьшить, сбавить ход

to con tinue to progress under her own momentum - продолжать двигаться вперед по инерции

Surveyor Report - акт (заключение) сюрвейера

preliminary estimation - предварительный подсчет

forecastle n- полубак

a dent of 3 metres long -. вмятина длиной 3 м

by 80 cm high - высотой 80 см

by 30 cm deep -глубиной 30 см

motor boat launching winch- шлюпочная лебедка

to take the responsibility- принять ответственность

to settle the matter amicably - разрешить вопрос (дело) полюбовно

to be willing -соглашаться, быть согласным

to admit a claim- удовлетворить претензию

expedient -целесообразный; подходящий

prudent _ благоразумный, предусмотрительный

to refer the dispute to Arbitrationпередать спорный вопрос на ар­битражное рассмотрение

the Maritime Arbitration Commission Морская Арбитражная Комиссия (МАК)

Arbitration Agreement- соглашение об арбитраже

I positively protest detention n -я заявляю категорический протест

state-owned принадлежащий государству

consequently- следовательно,поэтому

immunity n- неприкосновенность

to be exempt- быть освобожденным; не подле­жать

lien n -право задержания имущества; залоговое право

to release from detainment- освобождать из-под ареста

 

 

EXERCISES

I. Read and translate the text.

II. Translate into Russian.

Collision; to collide with another vessel; to proceed slowly; to weigh anchor; to run against a ship; to strike against; to sustain damage; to ve­rily the scope of damage; under the circumstances; ice pounding against the hull; the minimum steerage way; heavy ice; ice floe; to hold somebody responsible for; to charge responsibility on somebody; to ride at anchor; Consequences which may arise therefrom; to slowdown; the reverse the engine astern; to drop anchor; to continue to progress; to loose the steerage way; surveyor report; to take due note; to take the responsibility for; to settle the matter amicably; to admit a claim; to refer the disputé to Arbitra­tion; the Maritime Arbitration Commission; to detain a ship; to release from detainment; underwriter; an salvor; insurance company; to capsize.