Little From Rescues

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31079, 7 June 1966, Page 1

Little From Rescues

•‘The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND, June 6. Maritime law has for centuries conferred salvage rights on people who voluntarily save a ship from danger at sea. The remuneration is assessed on the value to its owners of the property preserved, coupled with the risk taken by the salvor.

Today, the insurer must usually bear the cost of a salvage reward under the terms of the insurance policy on the ship. One of the busiest boats on the Auckland Harbour is the police launch, Deodar, which during the winter months is frequently called on to save from destruction on the rocks small craft that have broken their moorings. jßut although legally en-

titled to make a claim for salvage reward in many cases the police, fortunately for boat owners, do not.

The wharf police prefer to classify any boats they find drifting in the harbour as lost property. If they can trace the owner from markings or a registration number they make arrangements for him to pick up his craft. If attempts to trace the owner are unsuccessful the boat is advertised as being found and if not claimed is sold at public auction. But the police say they do not auction off many unclaimed boats. The boats are usually claimed after the owners find them missing. Another body active in the rescue of yachts and launches' in distress is the New Zealand Volunteer Coast Guard Service.

“We don’t claim any salvage,” said the Auckland president Mr H. R. Geddes. “All we ask for is a sum to cover expenses” Mr Geddes said the Coast Guard usually suggested an

appropriate contribution from the owner of the salvaged boat. An Auckland marine insurance underwriter suggested that would-be salvors taking up coast watching would have little hope of starting a lucrative business.

“Salvage remuneration is based on the value of the vessel and the degree of peril involved in the salvage,” he said.

“Many people think they can get easy money out of salvage, but unless it is a major one the reward is not worth very much. A person who merely tows a small boat home on a fine day would not show a handsome profit.” He said his company had never received a salvage claim from the police.

“They regard the work of the Deodar as a public service.’ He added: “In the case of a boat owner going to the aid of another small boat the obligation is usually discharged with a bottle of whisky or a carton of beer.”