SEAWORTHINESS OF LAUNCHES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24902, 15 June 1946, Page 8

SEAWORTHINESS OF LAUNCHES

ACTION BY MARINE DEPARTMENT ORGANISATION OF RESCUE SERVICE (P.A.) NEW PLYMOUTH, June 14. A plan for sea rescue work is being prepared, according to advice from the Marine Department received yesterday by the New Plymouth Harbour Board in reply to a question following the board’s recent experience in the rescue of the launch Annie. Following the loss of a fishing launch from Port Chalmers, with two lives, the launch having put to sea without, sufficient safeguards, the department took up immediately the organisation of rescue work at all New Zealand ports by co-ordination of the resources of the Marine Department, harbour boards, the police, and the Navy and Air Department, stated the letter. A scheme had been modelled and approved for the Dunedin port. Consideration was also given to the proper equipment, for an emergency, of all fishing vessels, launches, and yachts going beyond the harbour. Under the present regulations these vessels were not subject to survey and it would be almost impossible to .have every, unit in New .Zealand -ta- J

spected annually or irregularly, but it was hoped that regulations would be gazetted requiring owners to comply with certain conditions before going to sea It was also hoped a position would be created in the department for a responsible ofpeer to organise the rescue service, including the education of owners of small craft, into their parfc-qg-lhe responsibiMa,