CAPTAINS DISRATED

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 120, 18 February 1928, Page 8

CAPTAINS DISRATED

BREACH OF COMPANYS REGULATIONS What was regarded by some passengers as a narrow escape from collision between the Union Steam Ship Company’s passenger steamers Maunganui and. Tamahine in Cook Strait, a fortnight ago, was the subject of an official inquiry by the company, yesterday. Officials of the company informed a Dominion reporter that the evidence showed that a breach of the company’s regulations had been committed by the masters of both vessels and that both were at fault. Accordingly, each was relieved of his command of the passenger vessel concerned, and had been transferred to command of cargo vessels in the company’s service. The circumstances of the incident in question indicated the Maunganui had left Wellington for Sydney, and was followed shortly afterwards by the Tamahine, bound for Picton. When off Karori Rock the vessels came into unduly close proximity, and a number of the passengers were alarmed at the nearness of the vessels. In view of the Maunganui being on her way to Sydney at the time it was not possible to get her captain’s version of the incident until she returned to New Zealand. This has now occurred, and as a result of a full inquiry by the officials of the Union Steam Ship Co., the drastic step intimated above was decided on. ACTION BY MARINE DEPARTMENT Altogether apart from any inquiry made by the Union Company, the whole matter has been the subject of investigation by the Marine Department from the time when it was first brought under the notice of the officials. Instructions were issued for reports to be obtained from the masters of the respective ships, and it is understood that these will be in the possession of the department to-day. The reports will be considered by the Nautical Adviser to the Department, who will then recommend whether or not a nautical inquiry should be held. Captain A. T. Toten, late of the Ooraah, has relieved Captain A. H. Davev in command of the Maunganui, and Captain Fish, late of the Kaimanawa, has taken charge of the Tamahine in place of Captain McClellan.