SHIP’S VOYAGE BANNED

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25389, 12 January 1948, Page 8

SHIP’S VOYAGE BANNED

ORDER AGAINST THE RUA WAI VESSEL TO BE BEACHED FOR EXAMINATION (P.A.) AUCKLAND. January 11. A second detaining order forbidding him to take the old 291-ton steamer Ruawai to sea again was served on the master. Captain H. Stanaway. by Constable Hollinshead, of Rawene. at Opononi, on Saturday. The Ruawai left Helensville for Auckland on Wednesday after an earlier detention order had been issued, and, according to the Marine Department, without a certificate of seaworthiness. After leaving Kaipara harbour, engine trouble developed and. making only one knot at times, the vessel took about 28 hours to travel 60 miles. After striking the bar. she entered Hokianga harbour and reached Opononi on Friday afternoon. The detaining order served on the master on Saturday was issued under the Shipping and Seamen Act by the Secretary of Marine (Mr W. C. Smith). The Harbourmaster and Marine Department Superintendent at Dargaville (Captain J. M. Dutch) travelled to Opononi on Saturday to make investigations. According to the Marine Department the Ruawai is not fit for a journey at sea. The owner was notified of the work needed on the vessel to bring it to the required standard. Last September two launches towed the Ruawai from Opononi to Raw’ene, further up the Hokianga harbour. This afternoon and to-night she was tied to the Rawene wharf. Repairs to her condensers are necessary to adjust engine trouble, and it is intended to beach the vessel to see if any damage was done when she scraped Hokianga bar. Three members of the volunteer crew of 14 are returning to Auckland as they are expected to resume their normal occupations after their holidays to-day.