Tug’s Condition Disputed

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30980, 9 February 1966, Page 18

Tug’s Condition Disputed

GV.Z. Press Association) NELSON, Feb. 7. Two members of the Merchant Service Officers’ Guild have been ordered not to make another southward journey on the tug Mohala, at present berthed at Nelson, which will tow a barge-load of serpentine to Napier.

The general secretary of the guild, Captain J. W. Dickinson, today said the men had been ordered to withdraw because operating conditions on the vessel were not up to guild standards.

“The officers and crew of the tug are living under the conditions which existed in New Zealand shipping in the 192549305,” he said. The tug and barge, which is making its first visit to Nelson, is owned by the Auckland Water Transport (1964) Company, Ltd. It is intended to establish regular trade in serpentine from Nelson to North Island ports. On this visit the barge brought fruit wraps from Ohiwa.

Captain Dickinson flew especially from Wellington this morning to inspect the tug and barge, and confer with two guild members on board. Towing equipment and navi-

gational aids on the vessel were the most modern available, he said, but the accommodation was unsatisfactory.

Trouble aboard the Mohala was caused by different interpretations of union rules by the seamen manning her and the master, the managingdirector of the company (Mr H. L. Julian) said today. The tug at present was manned according to a decision made by the president of the Seamen's Union, he said.

Mr Julian said a disagreement over union rules was referred to the president of the Seamans’ Union when the tug and barge were in Picton on their way to Nelson. “The president then straightened it out.” The differences were an outcome of the investigation of a new system of transporting cargo.

Under the Shipping and Seaman’s Act the tug should have two able seamen, an ordinary seaman and a boy, Mr Julian said.

The master, Captain Eric Harrison, on Saturday said the tug had a crew of four able seamen, a mate, two engineers, a cook and himself.

Mr Julian said that last week there was a combined meeting between his company and representatives of unions affected by the tug and barge and of the Marine Department.

After this a report had gone

to the Minister of Marine and he had been asked for a decision. Negotiations between the company and the interested parties had been amicable. Agreements had been reached by the company with watersiders in Nelson and in the North Island.

Temporary agreements affecting other workers also were operating. The tug and barge would stop at Wellington on their way from Nelson to Napier so that principals of the parties involved in discussions could inspect them, Mr Julian said.