Hong Kong Regulations

MERCHANT SHIPPING (INSTRUCTIONS TO SURVEYORS) (PASSENGER SHIPS) REGULATIONS - REGULATION 77

Adjustment of compasses

(1) (a) All compasses which are provided in accordance with paragraph 76 must
be properly adjusted from time to time to the satisfaction of the surveyor,
and according to the following instructions.

   (b)  On the first survey of any new steamship, the surveyor shall require
        the compasses to be properly adjusted or verified by a competent
        person selected by the shipowner. The certificate of such a person is
        to be to the effect that the compasses of a steel or iron ship are
        properly adjusted and a table of errors furnished, or, in the case of
        a wooden ship, are properly verified and a table of errors provided.

   (c)  In the case of steel and iron ships which are surveyed after lying
        idle for a long time, or after having undergone repairs or alterations
        involving the removal or addition of iron or steelwork, a certificate
        of adjustment is to be required.

(2) Apart from the adjustment of compasses in the circumstances mentioned in
sub-paragraph (1), all compasses should be occasionally adjusted, but this is
less essential if, when ships have been in service for a long period, the
surveyor is satisfied that the Compass Deviation Book has been kept up to
date, and if a comparison extending over two or three voyages shows that there
has been no marked change in the deviation.

(3) In ships where electrical energy is utilised for lighting or any other
purpose, disturbing effects are likely to arise from electric circuits
adjacent to the compasses. It is therefore necessary that the adjustments
should be made (a) with the dynamo at rest, (b) with the dynamo running and
the various electric circuits in the vicinity of the compass "on" and (c) with
the dynamo running and such circuits "off". In all such instances the surveyor
is to require the certificate of adjustment to be in the following form- "This
is to certify that the compasses of the iron (steel)
steamship 	O.N.                   have been adjusted for magnetic 
deviation, and are now in perfect order. Tables showing the effect of such
deviation have this day been handed to the Master. The deviations have been
ascertained on the various courses both with the dynamo stopped, and with it
running at full speed, with electric current 'on' and 'off' all circuits in
the vicinity of the compasses. The deviations so found are practically
identical under both conditions, and are in accordance with the tables
furnished this day to the Master.
Dated at         this              day of             , 19       .

(Signature)                                          .".


(4) Certificates of adjustment or verification should be in the possession of
the surveyor before the latter gives his declaration, and he should forward
them to the owners with his declaration. (See, however, paragraph 79). In all
cases the surveyor should satisfy himself as to the proficiency of the person
whose signature is attached to such certificates.