SHIPPING MISHAP OFF GISBORNE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27018, 18 April 1953, Page 6

SHIPPING MISHAP OFF GISBORNE

Master’s Certificate Returned INQUIRY INTO DAMAGE TO TURIHAUA (New Zealand Press Association) GISBORNE, April 17. Captain John Rhys Owen, master of the coastal vessel Turihaua when she struck a submerged object off Tuahine Point on the night of December 19, 1952, and the chief officer, Norman Thomas Hagan, both had their master mariners’ certificates returned to them late today after a Nautical Court of Inquiry had been held to investigate the mishap. The Court found that Captain Owen failed to ascertain the position of the ship and was guilty of an error of judgment which contributed to the casualty, but that this was not sufficiently serious to warrant retaining hiS certificate. The chief officer was exonerated.

The Court, which comprised Mr E. L Walton, S.M. (chairman), and two assessors, Captain A. McLachlan, of Napier, and Captain J. A. Hughan, of Wellington, made no order as to costs. A report on the casualty will be made to the Minister of Marine (Mr W. S. Goosman).

Mr T. M. Thorp represented the Collector of Customs. Mr K. A. Woodward appeared on behalf of Captain Gwen and Hagan, and Mr A. P. Blair represented the owners of the vessel, the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Frozen Meat and Mercantile Company, Ltd. Evidence was given that the mishap occurred at 11.40 p.m., after the Turihaua had left Gisborne for Auckland. Tuahine Point is four miles from Gisborne. The Turihaua was found to be leaking badly, and she returned to Gisborne under her own power. Repairs to the ship were estimated to cost £40.000.