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Communications (Continued from Page 20) committee, upon which the United States is represented, in London. This committee considers the various recommendations received and rec- ommends changes in the basic (Brit- ish) edition of the code upon which the various national editions are based. Use of Radio in War As yet, no mention has been made of the utilization of radio communi- cations by the merchant marine dur- ing war, or during the period imme- diately preceding the outbreak of war, Our merchant marine is of vital importance during war, and every ef- fort must be made to prevent the sink- ing or capture of a single vessel, It is normal, just prior to the declaration of war, for a nation to find its mer- chant ships seattered all over the world, unprepared for the emergency. The government must attempt to ef- fect the safe return of all ships, and here is where radio can be of great benefit. Z War warnings can be sent to the ships via commercial radio stations, naval radio stations, cable, or con- sular officials. The best routes to the United States for any particular merchant ship may be indicated, Dur- ing this period of anxiety the mer- chant ships may be required to com- muniecate with their home ports or other ships. Obviously, at this time a master feels his responsibility. With a good general knowledge of communications, his task is made easier—his knowledge prevents him from placing himself in a helpless po- sition with regard to advice from his radio operators; he can be more cer- tain of the proper action demanded by the situation. During war, ships of the merchant service may operate with the navy or be convoyed by naval escorts. Such operation requires a_ solid back- ground of communications to avoid disaster, A short radio message sent at the wrong moment may involve the loss of an entire convoy with a consequent blow to the fortunes of the nation in the war. The proper utilization of radio facilities may mean the difference between victory and defeat. It is noted that a num- ber of progressive officers of our merchant marine have already mas- tered the problems of radio communi- cation, realizing the benefits accruing to them by such a course. Visual Communications Some specific mention should be made of visual communications, so important during time of war, when communication at sea is particularly necessary, and when the use of radio is sometimes dangerous. Contact and co-operation between our navy and merchant marine would naturally be- come much closer in time of emer- 36 gency, and it is therefore important that each of the two services under- stand the problems of the other. It is evident that the ability to carry on visual communications be- tween naval and merchant vessels. when operating together in time of emergency will be greatly enhanced by training and experience in time of peace. Numerous merchant shipown- ers and operators have expressed the desire to co-operate with the navy department in this matter of peace- time training, and have been so do- ing for some time, with the result that visual communication between naval and merchant vessels has shown marked improvement in qual- ity as well as quantity. United States naval vessels have instructions to exchange calls and communicate by visual means with ships of the American merchant ma- rine whenever practicable. Navy ships are encouraged to employ the inter- national code of signals in this con- nection. Monthly reports are sub- mitted by naval vessels listing all such successful communications, and these reports are summarized and issued quarterly by the navy depart- ment, addressed to all merchant shipowners and operators who have expressed the desire to cooperate with the navy in this matter, as well as to all naval vessels. Future of Sea Communication There should be no doubt in the mind of anyone concerning the importance of radio communication to our merchant marine, whether it serves to promote safety of life at sea, as an aid to navigation, or in a business or social capacity. It is also inevitable that in the years to come it will play a still greater part, particularly as technical advances are made and new applications of radio appear. The officers of Our mer- chant marine will be thrown into continuous contact with radio, and will realize, even more than they do today, how essential it is to their occupation, With such a bright future of radio on the sea, it appears only natural that merchant marine officers should better fit themselves for their work by a comprehensive study of the broad principles of communications. As noted above, progressive officers are already doing this. Suggestions have been advanced that the examin- ation for licenses for masters and other officers should include a number of questions on communica- tions, based on a broad knowledge of the subject. Obviously the place to teach such a subject in the case of future offi- cers is in the nautical schools. Some attempt has been made in this direc- tion, but as yet the idea has not yet been generally accepted. Far-sighted merchant officers will MARINE REVIEW—September, 1934 readily perceive the value of know- ledge of communications. As mast- ers of ships they cannot be expected to attend to all the details of radio communications, even though they alone are responsible for the proper conduct of such communications. It therefore appears perfectly natural that masters of large passenger ves- sels should entrust these duties to one of their subordinate deck offi- cers, who should be expected to supervise actively the ship’s tadio communication and navigational de- vices, aS well as visual communica- tion facilities, under the direction of the master. This officer, because of his all-around qualifications, will be in an excellent position to advise the master on important points concern- ing the safety of the vessel insofar as communication matters are con- cerned. The designation of com- munication officer could be in addi- tion to his regular duties, and might be rotated over a number of years among the various officers of the ves- sel in order to provide each officer with suitable experience in this new- est branch of the seaman’s pro- fession. This suggestion to designate a communication officer on merchant ships is advanced not only because of the anticipated value such a course will afford to the nation, but for the benefit of the merchant officers them- selves. They will have a tremendous advantage over others who are con- tent to relegate the supervision of an important adjunct of their ships to others who are not fully qualified. During the past 150 years the traditions of the American merchant marine have been second to none. From the days of sailing vessels the qualifications of its officers have been unquestioned throughout the world. Now that modern progress moves swiftly, and is accepted casually, let us not be lulled into a false sense of superiority and thereby neglect to initiate the steps necessary to keep abreast of progress and ahead of other nations. Piers Operating Co. Piers Operating Co., Boston, of which Morrill Wiggin is president and Sherman L. Whipple Jr., is treas- urer, was recently awarded a five- year lease of the Army base terminal at South Boston at a yearly rental of $65,711. Word has been received from this company that the Wiggin Terminals Inc. has no _ financial interest in Piers Operating Co., which has been financed by Morrill Wiggin, Sher- man L. Whipple Jr., and their friends. Morrill Wiggin, for many years as- sociated with Wiggin Terminals Inc., has resigned his position with this company to assume the presidency of Piers Operating Co.