NO PROPER LOOK-OUT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 367, 30 May 1928, Page 1

NO PROPER LOOK-OUT

CAUSE OF HARBOUR COLLISION STEAMER ON RISKY COURSE As a result of the collision between the steamer Hikurangi and the scow Havoc, in which the latter was sunk off North Head on the evening of April 2, the court of inquiry decided to return the certificate cf Captain G, H. George, master of the steamer, and to order him to pay three-quarters of the costs. The owner of the Havoc will pay the balance of expenses. Stich was the finding of Mr. E. C. Cutten. S.M., and the assessors, Messrs. T. Braidwood and S. Dalrymple. Reviewing the circumstances of the mishap, the magistrate said that the scow, and the launch Orere, which was towing it, both carried regulation lights, but the sidelights of the scow were not fitted in proper side-screens on the proper parts of the vessel, but instead were slung alongside boxes of stones. They might have been misleading as to the course the vessel was taking. Further, the towing lights on the Orere may have been obscured by the load on the scow. 'At the time of the collision, the scow had no proper look-out, and the Hikurangi was not observed until she was right on them. The court was of opinion that although the lights of the Havoc were not entirely satisfactory, and though the load on the scow may have interfered with the view of the towing light on the Orere, and so helped to mislead the master of the Hikurangi, the cause of the accident was the position of the master, who, being at the wheel of his ship did not have a good look-out. Again, the court found that Captain George made an error of judgment in endeavouring to keep a course between what he took to be a vessel at anchor or one proceeding in the same direction and the shore, and in maintaining the same speed. The Hikurangi’s master had the opportunity of avoiding a collision, but instead of doing so took a risky course.