Translation 2783

..... 323
with a freight capacity of 2.5 to 3 tons. The crew of a motor
launch consists of tiiree men --- a-rifleaian, an en;-ineer, and a-,pilot.
cealin", equi _oment consists of a rifle, aimmunition, auxiliary
harpoons, -tnr.ee or four harpoons of s.;?ecial construction, three
hooks for hauling seals out of the water, and 50 metres of one-inch
hempen rope for tying up hides not loaded on the launch and hauling
them to the ship. A radio outfit for communication i-aith the ship
is installed on the motor launch.
When a ship arrives at the ice-floes the look-out man examines
the::, from t',-ie crowf s--nest.
As soon as floes with seals are
seen the motor launches are lowered. It is important, when a:pproach-
.in; the anir,ial.s, to proceed for some time without chan,ïing direction.
In the first place, that ensures the most accurate shooting, and in
the, second place, when a boat moves directly towards a seal the
latter pays little attention to its anproach. Skilful approach to
the animals, especially to such wary s^,ecies as the harbour seal
and the bearded seal, is one of the basic requisites of the hunt.
7iffer.ent seal species react differently to an approaching
vesseJ.. The ribbon seal sometimes lets the vessel come wit1iin five
or six metres, and shows almost no reaction -uo the crack of a bullet. 209
If the hunters observe certain precautions they can approach ringed
seals fairly closely, as most of the animals are usually asleep,
while only one fills the role of a"sentir_el.", staying on a high
part of the ice. If that sentinel is shot first the otïter animals,
sati.sfied. that he is still at his post, do not take to the water.
Ringed seals must be killed outright by the first shot, because
even a ser.iously-•wrounded animal plunges into the water, and when
one does so the whole group follows immeâiately..
It is much more difficult to ap.roac'ri within shooting distance
of bearded seals, which have quite sharr hearing. They are
shot tt:rough th-. head,
The most wary seal, i;ihich can seldom be
ached within rifle range, is the harbour seal.
_he moto:L- launches carry the -orocucts of the lnint to the
ship for further processing.