unless it would endanger safety of the vessel or harbour facilities?

[JACEK1]

Hello.

Such mooring manoeuvres should, however, be performed at low speed unless it would endanger safety of the vessel or harbour facilities.

I think there is something fishy about the remaining part of the sentence, namely, "unless it would endanger safety of the vessel or harbour facilities".

In my opinion, it should read "unless it endangers safety of the vessel or harbour facilities" or "unless it endangered safety of the vessel or harbour facilities".

Thank you.

 

[tedmc]

Such mooring manoeuvres should, however, be performed at low speed unless it would endanger safety of the vessel or harbour facilities.

I think the problem does not lie in the word "endanger", but rather, the conjunction "unless".

It would make sense if it is rewritten as follows:

Such mooring manoeuvres should, however, be performed at low speed. If not, it would endanger safety of the vessel or harbour facilities.

or

Such mooring manoeuvres should, however, be performed at low speed, or it would endanger safety of the vessel or harbour facilities.

 

[JACEK1]

I have always learnt that "unless" is followed by present tense.

How about "Such mooring manoeuvres should, however, be performed at low speed unless it endangers safety of the vessel or harbour facilities" = "Such mooring manoeuvres should, however, be performed at low speed if it doesn't endanger safety of the vessel or harbour facilities"?

The sense is still maintained.

 

[GoesStation]

It's not clear whether it is meant to refer to maneuvers or low speed. A careful reader would choose the latter because maneuvers would require they, but I think you should revise the sentence so its meaning is clear on the first reading.

How about Such mooring manoeuvres should, however, be performed at low speed unless the safety of the vessel or harbour facilities requires a higher speed.

I'm guessing that low speed is a defined term in the context. If it isn't, other wording is possible.

 

[JACEK1]

Please check with native speakers.

 

[JACEK1]

I am really sorry about my mistake and it was not my intention to offend you. No offence intended.

 

[Tarheel]

I agree with Ted. I don't see how operating at a higher speed could be safer.