LIFEBOAT NEEDED

Hokitika Guardian, 8 October 1930, Page 2

LIFEBOAT NEEDED

WELLINGTON FISHERMEN. WELLINGTON,Oct. 6. ; Had a life-boat been 'stationed at Island Bay, the lives of all on , board the fishing.launch. Crescent", which was driven ashore : near • Ohiro Bay <• oh Tuesday evening/ might, have been saved, said Mr J. W*. Perano, father of one of ‘the- lost fishermen, jo" ft*reporter. ...".... - The boat, drifted . for, fljbout nine hours before it was. wrecked, ;Mr Per-, ano continued, and the ' occupants burned even their clothing,- dipped in bensine, to attract attention from the (shore, but no help could (bo given, A life-boat, equipped with,, say, -two 20 horse-power engines, could . haye gone out where even t]ie fishing, launches could not venture. Large' sums were collected - all over the country for ; art unions, etc;,: but nothing was done to safeguard those engaged in , the fishing Industry, who carried on their work under the most hazardous conditions. If a lifeboat were made available at Island Bay, it could cover ; the whole of Cook Sirait ; and it might Ibe the means of saving many lives in cases where fishing launches or yachts become distresesd. Only pne ; permanent man would be required, since there would be = plenty of volunteers ■among the fishermen if a call for assistance were -received. Mr Perano estimated .that a euifcnble jifcboat, shed, and slip-way would about £3OOO. The rocket-line appartaus proposed iby the Island Bay Life Saving and Surf Club would be a useful subsidiary,.. “It is no use waiting for a repetition oi? Tuesday’s' disaster,” concluded Mr Perano. “It may not occur for another five or ten years, but now that the fishing fleet is growing it is imperative that somethin® should ibe done to safeguard the jnen.’- -