MASTERS FINED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 996, 12 June 1930, Page 1

MASTERS FINED

ORDERED TO PAY COSTS OF INQUIRY ERRORS OF JUDGMENT As a result of the collision between the launches Elsie and Masport, off Prince’s Wharf on April 22, the master of the Elsie has been ordered to pay £5 6s toward the costs of the nautical inquiry, and the master of the Masport has been ordered to pay £2 2s toward the costs. This finding is contained in the reserved judgment of Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., which was given this morning. In the opinion of the court, the Elsie, when she saw the lights of the Masport, wrongly judged the distance and speed of the Masport, and wrongly decided to keep her course with the object of passing round the end of Prince’s Wharf on her way to Nelson Sti-eet Wharf, crossing ahead of the Masport. The Elsie was the “giving way” vessel, and the Masport continued her course and speed. The Masport had in view the green light of the Elsie. PERSISTING IN COURSE When the Elsie persisted in showing her green light, it should have been an indication to the master of the Masport earlier than it was that the Elsie, for some reason or another, was persisting in her course, and would cross the bows of the Masport dangerously close. It was the court’s opinion in the circumstances and positions of the vessels, the master of the Masport showed an error of judgment in not slackening speed earlier. The master of the Elsie took an undue risk and his vessel was most seriously at fault. Though the poor lights on the Elsie did not seriously affect the position, the court was of the opinion that fishing vessels should be required to carry good and sufficient lights.