EXTENSIONS of REMARKS· INLAND NAVIGATION RULES on Safety of Life at Sea, Which Went J
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5268 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS March 11, 1980 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS· INLAND NAVIGATION RULES on Safety of Life at Sea, which went J. IRVING WHALLEY into effect for the United States in HON. MARIO BIAGGI 1965 by virtue of the enactment of HON. WM. S. BROOMFIELD OF NEW YORK Public Law 88-131 <77 Stat. 194). OF MICHIGAN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Our early navigational regulations governing the lighting and movement IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tuesday. March 11. 1980 of vessels operating on our inland wa- Tuesday. March 11. 1980 • Mr. BIAGGI. Mr. Speaker, I have terways likewise developed as a result recently introduced H.R. 6671, a bill to of international efforts during the late . e Mr. BROOMFIELD. Mr. Speaker, it unify the rules for preventing colli- 1800's. In 1890, 1895, and again in is with great sorrow that I learned of sions on the inland waters of the 1897, various enactments provided for the death, last Saturday, of our friend United States. This is the culmination "special rules duly made by local au and former colleague, Hon. J. Irving of years of effort by the administra- thority, relating to the navigation of Whalley. - tion, maritime interests, those in- any harbors, rivers, or inland water." His former staff member, Mr. Jack volved ·with recreational boating, and The need to promulgate such special DeShay, recently called to inform me by the oversight activities of the sub- rules was recognized by the major .of thTu- sad news, and I wish to thank committee ,on Coast Guard and Navi- maritime nations at the International him for his thoughtfulness. · gation. Marine Conference of 1889, held in In 1960 when Irv Whalley was elect This attempt at unifying the -various Washington; D.C., to develop naviga ed to the House of Representatives to laws, rules, and regulations that affect tional regulations for preventing colli · represent Pennsylvania's old 12th navigation of vessels on the inland sions on the high seas. Congressional District, he brought waters, Great Lakes, and · w.estern with him a wealth of experience that rivers of the United states had its in- In order to prevent collisions, tne served the Nation and his constituents ception during the early 1960's. At maritime nations of the world, while well. Already familiar with the legisla that time, the coast Guard recognized continuing over the years to agree on tive process after 10 years with the the m'any problems these different rules to be followed by ships ·on the Pennsylvania Legislature, and know and conflicting requirements imposed high seas, have also agreed on allow ing the value of a taxpayer's dollar on the mariner-most often in deroga- ing for the application of local or spe from 35 years as a successful business tion of the maritime and environ.men- cial rules to the internal waters of a man, Irv quickly became a valuable tal safety of our waterways. It was de- nation. The United States is one of the part of this great body. cided, however, that unification of the few countries to have taken advantage I was privileged to serve with Irv on inland rules into a single system of this authority and has had an the House Foreign Affairs Committee should be deferred until the interna- inland navigational statutory and reg where he was the ranking Republican tional maritime community could de- . ulatory scheme in place since before on the Subcommittee on Africa. His velop international regulations for the turn of the century. dedication to his work and his skill worldwide adoption. Under the existing scheme, there are contributed greatly to a better under International regulations which three distinct sets of statutory rules standing of the peoples and problems govern· the lighting and movement of that govern the navigation of vessels of that continent. vessels operating on the high seas and on the inland waters, Great Lakes, and Mr. .. Speaker, Congressman Whalley connecting waters navigable by seago- western rivers of the United States. In was a great public servant in the finest ing vessels have existed for approxi- addition to these statutory rules, there sense of that term. Our Nation was mately 100 years. They have been re- are three more sets of regulatory rules fortunate to have the benefit of his vised periodically to reflect changing called pilot rules. For motorboats talent and energy during the 12 years technology and operational require- those vessels that are not more than he served as a Member of the House. I wish to extend my heartfelt sym ments. The international regulations 65 feet in length, special statutory re-·· now in effect were the result of work quirements are part of the 1940 Mo pathy to his wife, Ruth, their two chil done over a period of 4 years by the torboat Act. dren, and the other members of his Inter-Governmental Maritime Consul- family in this time of loss.e tative Organization <IMCO}. While these seven sets of rules are This work culminated in an interna- alike in many respects, there are sig tional conference of representatives nificant differences between them PROBLEMS IN THE MILITARY from 46 governmeBts and numerous that tend to generate confusion among nongovernmental entities that led to mariners. Superimposed ·upon these HON. BOB WILSON the adoption of the Convention on the rules, we also have the international OF CALIFORNIA International Regulations for Prevent- regulations found in Colregs 72. Unifi IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ing Collisions at Se.a, 1972; signed at cation of the rules and regulations London, England on October 20, 1972, into a single system should reduce the Tuesday, March 11, 1980 commonly referred to as Colregs 72. potential for confusion and the danger e Mr.' BOB WILSON. Mr. Speaker, at This Convention entered into force of collision. long last the press, the Congress, and on July 15, 1977, 12 months after it the American people are waking up to was ratified or acceeded to by 15 na- H.R. 6671 will establish a unified the manpower crisis besetting our Na tions whose aggregate merchant fleets system of local or special rules applica ·tion's military force. As we focus at constituted not less than 65 percent, ble to our internal waters, as consist tention in the weeks ahead on regis- · by numbers or by tonnage, of the total ent as possible with the international tration and the draft, we must not lose world fleet of vessels of 100 gross tons system of navigational rules. Adoption sight of an equally important problem or over: The international regulations . of these rules will increase the naviga of retaining highly qualified personnel went into effect for the United States tional safety and the related environ who are currently leaving the services in 1977, by virtue of the proclamation mental safety of the many inland wa in droves. provisions of Public Law 95-75 <91 terway systems of our great Nation. I, I recently received a copy of a letter, Stat. 308, 33 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.). They therefore, hope this important legisla· addressed to . the San Diego news supersede the regulations approved in tion will receive early consideration by media, written by a group of service 19GO by the International. Conference the Congress. • men and women stationed at Miramar • This "b';lllet" symbol identifies staten:ients:'"or insertion$'1i which are not spoken by the Member on the floor. March 11, 1980 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 5269 Naval Air Station. It succintly pre will retire with aµ income of about $500 to with all the hassles. The large companies sents the case. While there are a few $600 a month. are not dumb either. Here is how they work. inaccuracies, such as the refere nee to A lot of money you say? Try paying for a They find out a man or woman is close to the maximum severance pay available house in San Diego on that retirement. Its getting out of the Navy. They also find out to off ice rs, the basic message comes twice as hard to try to find a job at 40 yrs the Navy trained him, made him a supervi old to make up for the rest of the cost of sor, made him a highly qualified inspector, through loud and clear and I com living. Here are a few of the reasons why the taught him discipline. gave him experience mend this letter· to my colleagues· military man ls in hurry to get out. in their field. taught him to use sophisticat careful attention and study, How would you like to pack up and leave ed equipment and work on sophisticated air· The letter follows: your famUy to sail overseas for 6-8 mo. out c'raft. What mo.re does the company need to FEBRUARY 12, 1980. of the year? Come back to see your kids do but hire the individual. That's their To: San Diego Union Newspaper, Channel 8 almost a year older? That's a long time to motto, let the military train him and we KFMB, Channel 10 KGTV, and Chan ask a man to be away from his family. Its hire them and give them a paycheck that nel 39 KCST. called mental strain. How would you like to they can't refuse. Pretty smart if yon ask From: Men and Women in the Military. "defend" ~·ou'r country on a 5000 man carri me. So now tell me why shouldn't the indi· Attention: Staff, newsreporters, publishers, er for 7-8 months, and live in a sleeping victual get out7 What is t.here left to hang editors and members of the news.