NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 304, 20 December 1912, Page 7

NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

EXCESSIVE HOURS ON" SMALL STEAMERS. At the conclusion of the inquiry held it Napier into the stranding of the steamer Weka at Parangahau in October, the Court found as follows: —(1) -fiat the casualty was caused by the joint act of the master, Harralden, and of Nelson, a seaman. (2) That it was usual with a steamer of the same class to leave a seaman in charge when standing in to land. (3) That the master set a proper course, which was not followed ly Nelson. (4) That when the master left the bridge the weather had cleared and the whole coastline was visible, and tie seaman, Nelson, failed to call the master, a3 instructed, as soon as the fcfeather became thick and hazy. The Court drew the attention of the Minister of Marine to the excessive hours worked on small steamers employed in 4_e same class of work, to the necessity for altering the law so as to prevent vessels of like tonnage proceeding to 6ea with but one certificated officer, and to the dangerous practice of leaving the deck in charge of an uncertificated officer. The master's certificate wa3 returned.