New Ship Laid Up; Bulges In Plating

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30063, 22 February 1963, Page 13

New Ship Laid Up; Bulges In Plating

(New Zealana Press Association)

AUCKLAND, Feb. 21. The new 1000-ton coaster, Awanai, has been withdrawn from service for an indefinite period after the discovery at a large bulge in the hall plating on each side of the bow.

On each side, water ballast in the forward deep tank has forced the hull plating and riba out about six inches over r area of about 10ft by 12ft A number of rivets have been sprung and the ship is making a slight amount of water. , , , The ship, owned by the Northern Steamship Company, Ltd, was at her berth at Marsden Wharf, Auckland, when the damage occurred. It was first noticed about 1 p.m. on Wednesday. About 30 tons of cargo already loaded for South Island ports was discharged today Cargo consigned for the Awanui will not be delayed as two of the company’s other ships have been diverted to pick it up. The Maranui will sail from Onehunga tomorrow to lift cargo for Dunedin and the Maunganui has been diverted from Tarakohe to take cargo for Timaru and Bluff. Mr S. L Caspari, assistant general manager of the

Northern Company, said tonight that the Awanui would be laid up while repairs were made. It was impossible to say how long they would take. The ships would probably have to go into dry dock at some stage. Inspectors from the Marine Department and Lloyd’s examined the ship today. An inquiry will open tomorrow. The 236-foot ship was built last year by the Pacific Islands Shipbuilding Company, Ltd., of Hong Kong, to Lloyd's specifications. She completed her delivery voyage from Hong Kong only about a month ago.