PERILS OP SURF WORK

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1841, 29 August 1913, Page 5

PERILS OP SURF WORK

SE.WMEX'S UNION TAKES ACTION. ->s tho result of the upsotiing of a surf boat belonging to the Ahuriri on tho Mohaka beach oil August 2, by which a man lost his life, the secretary of the Seamen's' Union (Mr. T. W. Young) has forwarded suggestions to tho Iviinistcr for Marine (Hon. F. M. B. Fisher) for the protection of the seamen, and requesting that regulations bo made accordingly. The suggestions are: —(a) Where a boat is required for towing rafts or other matter through a seaway or surf s'ho shall bo of sufficient weight and power to always command control of the towage; (b) all surf boats to t-ako the beach bow first-, and in. sucli a manner as to permit of a sea striking a quarter from the stern; (c) all boats to bo fitted with an-air-tight tank at .the bow and stern, so that in tho event of the boat being swamped they will keep her gunwalo level with tho 'water surface; (d) each boat to bo provided with a patent anchor, weighing not less than 251b., nor more than 301b., and an anchor line from 50 to 60 fathoms in length; (e) to be supplied with a life-saving "jackstay" seaurely fitted around tho gunwalo on each side of tho boat; (f) each boat to be required to carry iu tajiks for tho purpose a sufficient supply of oil for use in a seaway; (g),all surf boats to be equipped with a properly-constructed steer oar, and to bo steered in a seaway or surf with such oar, and not with a rudder; (h) all surf boats to, be periodically, inspected by a Government surveyor and licensed. The license to be granted only in those cases s of where tho lifesaving appliances .mefet the requirements of the regulations. The findings of the coroner at tho inquest were:—(a) That the boat being used was too light and of insufficient' power to tow a raft; (b) that the correct method to t-ako tile beacli was so that the sea would strike a quarter' front the stern; (c)' there would seem to bo no regulations requiring surf,boats and oil_ launches for use in the surf being licensed by some, competent authority before being put to su.eh .use; (d) neither are there, any ."regulations as to boating in the surf or beaches generally, or in' particular beaches; (e) tho evidence given at the . inquest would seem to show tho necessity of such regulations. , . In regard to the use of oil launches for surfing work, Mr. Young pointed out that when any such launch was ■swamped or upset she is at once piit on end by tho weight of the machinery in tho stern, of tho launch, and this leaves merely a small portion or none of tho bow above water, and, consequently, tho crew wero left to tho mercy of tho surf. .Ail air-tight, tank at each end 1 would tend to obviate this.