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27./28. Jahresbericht des Deutsdien Hydrographisdien Instituts 1972/73 
level forecasts. The water levels in the German Bight and in the rivers 
are a result of a rather complex interaction of tides and meteorological effects 
as Well as of external surges from the Atlantic that are reported by the British 
warning service. A newly developed method allows to represent hourly water 
levels within decimetre accuracy. The accuracy of water level forecasts now 
depends essentially on the accuracy of wind forecasts for the German Bight by 
the Marine Meteorological Office. Improvement is expected of an observation 
platform which is being set up by the Federal Ministry of Research and Technol 
ogy at about 40 n. m. northwest of Heligoland. 
On 1 January 1973, the German Safety Regulations for Seagoing Vessels became 
effective. Among other things they specify which shipborne nautical 
instruments and equipment are subject to testing and approval by 
the DHL Type testing and maintenance of gyro compasses, echo sounders, and 
autopilots have been newly included in the Regulations as compulsory. New 
specifications for testing and approval were established and, furthermore, testing 
facilities provided for. Nautical research was further advanced, especially in the 
fields of compensating magnetic compasses, of gyro compass errors due to ship’s 
manoeuvres, and of radio navigation systems. 
In the two years under review more than 38 000 nautical instruments and equip 
ment were tested in the Hamburg testing department and in the DHI agencies in 
other ports. Some 2 600 approvals of shipborne radio navigation installations 
were given. For reasons of rationalizing the Flensburg agency was dissolved 
late in September 1973. 
Four DHI staff members were awarded the "Verdienstkreuz Erster Klasse des 
Verdienstordens der Bundesrepublik Deutschland" for their outstanding merits 
during many years of service.