COASTAL SHIP’S STRANDING

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28150, 13 December 1956, Page 16

COASTAL SHIP’S STRANDING

CLANSMAN INQUIRY NEARS END (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, December 12. Calculated risks must be taken if bar harbours are to be worked, Mr A. L. Martin, counsel for the Northern Steamship Company, submitted at a Marine Court of Inquiry today. The Court is inquiring into the stranding of the coaster Clansman, at the entrance of Whakatane Harbour, on May 3. The Clansman had veered offcourse in an unpredictable manner, and no-one could be blamed,- said Mr Martin. >-

Mr G. S. P. Meredith, for the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, claimed that the evidence justified criticism of the master, Captain Albert Mokomoko, and the owner, the Northern Company. The captain was prepared to take the risk of sticking on the bar, and admitted that if the risk did not come off there would be a danger to the ship, the cargo, and the lives of the men on board, said Mr Meredith. The company was not without responsibility, and it was obvious the captain was expected to take the risk, if necessary, of bumping over the bar.

Mr L. G. Rose, in final submissions for the master, said the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine had said there was no negligence on the master’s part. Mr Rose read to the Court a repo’t by the superintendent which said that the vessel was under good command of a master who was thorougnly conversant with the port and that strandings . under similar circumstances had occurred previously at Whakatane.

Other counsel will make final sub missions tomorrow.