SHIP DAMAGED BY ROCK

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27410, 24 July 1954, Page 2

SHIP DAMAGED BY ROCK

MASTER’S TICKET SUSPENDED

INQUIRY INTO MISHAP TO TURIHAUA (New Zealand Press Association) GISBORNE, July 23. A Marine Court of Inquiry in Gisborne today suspended for three months the ticket of the master of the coaster Turihaua, Captain Norman Thomas Hagen, it recommended that the appropriate authorities should consider whether the circumstances warranted any reduction of the suspension period. The Court comprised Mr E. L. Walton, S.M. (chairman), with Captain A. H. Prosser, of Auckland, and Captain A. McLachlan, of Napier, as assessors. The finding was issued after a twoday inquiry into the damage sustained by the Turihaua <5lB tons) when she struck a submerged object in Tokomaru Bay harbour on November 20, 1953.

The Court’s findings were:— “(1) The cause of the incident was the ship striking a rock on the west of the Tokomaru Bay wharf. “(2) The casualty was caused by the wrongful act of the master, who was negligent in departing from Tokomaru Bay at 1.30 p.m. in the circumstances, and in particular in disregarding the advice of the harbourmaster at Tokomaru Bay.

“(3) The casualty jvas not reported, and was not entered in the official log of the vessel. As the vessel was not stranded, the obligation to make an entry in the official log did not arise under Section 178 (k) of the Shipping and Seamen Act, 1952.”

On the application of Mr T. M. Thorp, who appeared for the Marine Department, the chairman made an order that the master should pay £25 towards the cost of the inquiry. Captain Hagen and the mate of the vessel (Mr D. G. Mander) were represented by Mr K, A. Woodward, and the owners of the vessel, the Gisborne Sheepfarmers* Frozen Meat and Mercantile Company. Ltd., were represented by Mr A. P. Blair.