'Report of a committee of enquiry on the lighting and buoyage of the Persian Gulf. 1909' [‎6v] (12/18)

12
Details of character of the various lights will be included in a
supplementary report by Mr. Hood.
The lights on all the buoys should have distinctive characters, and it is
proposed that all lights be white, except those on the buoys at the West Spit
(Bahrein), and the inner anchorage (Bushire), for which red lights are
suggested.
The total number of lights and buoys in the proposed scheme is -
Lighthouses - - - ^ 1 f 6
Light vessels - - 4 1 (>
Port lights - - - g 1 or ii' alternative pro- J t,
T . i.ii _ | posals are adopted
Lighted buoys - - 8 j j 7
Unlighted buoys - - 6 j G
Fog Signals.
10. The question of fog signals has been considered, but though hazy
weather is not uncommon, fog is of rare occurrence and short duration in
the Gulf, and fog signals are not considered necessary.
Lightkeepers.
11. From inquiries made it is considered that the Gulf Arab could be
trained into a reasonably good lightkeeper, and there are obvious advantages
in the employment of local men, but in the case of the light vessels the
lightsmen might with advantage be recruited from India. In any case the
crews of light vessels and lighthouses in isolated positions should be
armed.
Lighthouse Tender.
12. The whole of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. would form a large lighthouse district
in itself, and it would be imperative that a specially constructed steamer, to
act as the lighthouse tender, be built and kept in Commission solely for this
duty which would occupy the whole of her time. A distilling plant and
storage for the supply of drinking water to isolated lighthouses and light
vessels should be special features of her equipment.
The construction of this vessel should be undertaken before, or
concurrently with, the establishment of the earlier lights.
Water.
13. One of the principal difficulties in connection with the maintenance
of lighthouses and vessels in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. is obtaining and supplying
them with fresh water. The only place in the Gulf where drinking water
in any quantity can be procured conveniently is the Shatt al Arab River
above Fao.
This would necessitate the lighthouse tender making frequent trips to
the river and the provision of a large storage capacity which space could be
more usefully devoted to other purposes. In view of these considerations
a distilling plant on board the tender has been recommended.
Repairs, c*tc.
14. With the exception of Basra the Gulf offers practically no facilities
for repair or constructional work.