§ Sir A. V. Harveyasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on radio communications between deep-sea fishing vessels and base.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuFishing vessels over 140 feet in length must carry radio telegraphy or radio telephony apparatus complying with requirements laid down by statute. Vessels over 60 feet in length must carry portable radio apparatus for use in survival craft and capable of transmitting on a marine distress frequency. In addition to meeting the statutory requirements, many fishing vessels voluntarily carry additional radio apparatus.
It is normal practice for deep-sea fishing vessels to communicate by means of radio with a shore base at least once every 48 hours, and more usually every 24 hours. This is a voluntary arrangement recommended to the fishing industry by my predecessor. I am looking into the possibility of improving the arrangement, particularly on the action to be taken when a radio message from a fishing vessel is overdue.