NAUTICAL ENQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1931, Page 5

NAUTICAL ENQUIRY

PILOT ADJUDGED GUILTY. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 25. At the Hauraki inquiry, Captain Me. Intyre, pilot at New Plymouth, said the second time the order hard-a»port was given, the vessel swung slowly. Witness could see it would not answer quickly enough. Shortly afterwards witness was brought to realise by the captain’s remark .that the vessel was twin screw. He did not see notices “Keep clear of propellors,” this incli r eating twin screws. He had concluded it was a single screw. The accident would nor have happened hau" the vessel answered its helm, and had it been single screw: or, alternatively, had he known in time it was twin screw. The rock on which the Hauraki grounded was not known at the time of the accident The inquiry was adjourned. AUCKLAND, March 26.

An inquiry into the grounding of the mo tor ship Hauraki at New Plymouth on February 26 was continued. Council for the master called evidence showing it was customary for a master to volunteer information to a pilot, that the ship was slow or otherwise on the helm; also as to the draught, but not whether the ship was a single or twin screw. The master usually took the pilot’s word on matters affecting the depth of water. After an adjournment the Court said the pilot got certain information on hoarding the ship and such other in formal ion as he required was available. It was bis duty to ask for it, but lie had not asked. Therefore the responsibility for the accident must he with the pilot. The costs amounted to £52. The Court ordered the pilot to pay £25 only, being of the opinion it was a very small deviation from dutv on the pilot's part. The Court added that the around to the east of Newton King wharf, ought to he swept.