LOSS OF TRAWLER FUTURIST

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25177, 7 May 1947, Page 8

LOSS OF TRA WLE R FUTURIST

LOOK-OUT BLAMED FOR STRANDING FINDING OF COURT OF INQUIRY <P.A.) WELLINGTON, May .6. A faulty look-out was the immediate cause of the stranding of the trawler Futurist south of Cape Campbell lighthouse on April 2. This is the finding of Mr H. J. Thompson S.M., who conducted the inquiry into the circum stances of the stranding, assisted by Captains A. H. Howie and A. T. DowelL The casualty was not caused, or contributed to. by the wrongful act of the master or the crew other than a fireman Albert William Paton, the Court found From 2 a.m until the vessel struck at 3.30 a.m. an effective look-out was not kept b Paton who was then an duty. He was incompetent and inexperienced in look-out duties the Court held and he had neglected to notify the master of poor visibility, if the change of the wind and of a set from the south The set from the south which could not reasonably have been foreseen when the master retired, carried the vessel some six miles into the shore and was a con-

*ne preuauuoiis taken by the master were sufficient in view of the long practice of trawlers in the vicinity and the situation when he retired. However. no steps were taken by the master to ensure that the look-outs were capable of carrying out their tasks and there was some lack of specific instruction to firemen lookouts.

No criticism is made oi the action of the master and the crew after the stranding occurred. The masters of the trawlers Phyllis and Maimai are commended for the prompt action they took and for the risks incurred by them in standing right in to the rocks in their endeavour to assist th** Futurist. Trawlers' iobk-outs at night should not be-firemen the Court considered, but experienced deck hands. There were practical difficulties with a small crew, but the difficulties were outweighed bv the need for safeguarding ♦he lives -»t men and the safety nf the chin. Firemen look-outs, it was stated were apt to consider that their chief duties lav in the engine-room and tn spend too much time there Their eyes needed an annremable time to he"omp accustomed to the darkness after thev had come on d**ck from the en gine-room The nractice of drifting on the Cape '"arnnbell grounds could not be considered unsafe, provided an efficient watch was kept and the weather was -lear and fine The master should be called in case of a change of wind a wind rising, or poor visibility.

The Court made no order as to costs or any disciplinary action.