SAFETY OF FERRIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 233, 21 December 1927, Page 14

SAFETY OF FERRIES

HARBOUR BOARD DRAFTS BY-LAW SHIPPING MEN DENY DANGER F° R , the greater safety of traffic in the harbour an arrangement is to be tried under which ferryboats will not leave the basin at an interval of less than two steamer’s lengths. The arrangement has been agreed to between the Harbour Board and the Devonport Ferry Company. The board in committee heard the points of view expressed by Mr. Carter, of the Auckland Shipping and Stevedores’ Association; Captain Hollis, of the Commonwealth and Dominion Line; and Captain Lewis, of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Line. Mr. Carter stated that the shipping companies held that there was no danger as long as the by-laws were observed. Captains Hollis and Lewis both denied that there was any danger in the basin. The board agreed to instruct its solicitors to draft a by-law to the effect: “That no vessel not propelled by its own power shall enter, leave or swing in the basin between the hours of 7.45 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. and 4.45 p.m. and 5.30 p.m., from Monday to Friday inclusive, aiid on Saturday from 745 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. and noon to 12.30 p.m.; that ferry-boats shall not start from the berths at Queen’s Wharf or the ferries until an interval of one minute shall have elapsed after the departure of the preceding ferry steamer from any of the above-mentioned berths.”