LIGHTS ON THE COAST.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 152, 29 June 1926, Page 6

LIGHTS ON THE COAST.

The Court of Marine Inquiry into the wreck of the Manaia has decided that the officers were not blameworthy, and that the wreck was due to the vessel being carried off her course by a strong set, which at the same time carried her forward at a greater pace than normal, so that the officer on the bridge had reason to think that the vessel was further from the Slipper than she actually was.

A glance at the chart shows that the course of coasters coming up from the Bay of Plenty is no easy one in thick weather, groups of islands standing sentinel off the coast at irregular intervals all the way from Mayer Island to Cape Colville. There are a couple of lights along this coast, one at Cuvier and another near the D'Haussez group, but the fact that within six years two vessels have been east away, the Te Teko and the Manaia, near the same spot calls for an inquiry of the Marine Department into the general question of the lighting of this part of the coast. A third light, of the automatic type, would not be very costly and if it would be of real service to shipmasters provision should be made for it immediately. Sets such as that which carried the

Manaia off her course have been noted before in the Bay of Plenty; their recurrence adds to the difficulties of navigation. A light on or near the Slipper may minimise the risk, and it is to be hoped that the Marine "Department will take exgert advice upon the point without delay. Several shipmasters in their evidence at the inquiry favoured such a light, and the Coart expressed ita support of their view. This alone constitutes a strong argument in its favour.