Coroner Praises Skipper’s Effort

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30287, 13 November 1963, Page 19

Coroner Praises Skipper’s Effort

(New Zealand Press Association)

INVERCARGILL, Nov. 12. A tribute to the skipper of the fulling vessel, Star of the Sea, which capsized off Long Point on the Fiordland coast on September 21, was paid in the Invercargill Coroner’s Court today by the District Coroner, Mr T. R. Pryde, Justice of the Peace. At the inquest into the death of the crew member, Tony van der Byl, the Coroner said one could not help but be moved by the efforts of Cornelius de Ryk to rescue his companion.

The Coroner also paid a tribute to Mr de Ryk’s “stubborn efforts” to survive and praised the efforts of a police party which walked into the area to recover Mr van der Byl's body. The Coroner found that Tony van der Byl died by drowning. A pathologist who examined Mr van der Byl’s body after it was recovered and brought back to Invercargill. Neil Gorman Prentice, ■aid there were no signs of injury on the body. In his opinion death was caused by drowning. Cornelius Johannes Maria tie Ryk, skipper and owner of toe Star of the Sea, said that with Mr van der Byl he left Bluff about September 18 for a short fishing trip. They went to Solunder Island and then to Long Point where they set crayfish pots. They sheltered at

Green Island overnight. About 8 a.m. on September 21 they returned to Long Point to retrieve their pots. They were about to pick up the last of the pots at 10.30 a.m. when the boat’s engine stopped. Mr de Ryk tried to start the engine, but failed. A big breaker broke over the boa,t and it capsized. The wheelhouse filled with water. Mr de Ryk did not know how he got out of toe wheelhouse. He climbed on the hull of the boat, but was knocked off by a wave. He clambered back on board and helped Mr van der Byl on to the hull. Mr de Ryk was knocked off again twice by a wave. He swam to shore. When he reached the sliore he saw Mr van der Byl still hanging on to the hull Then he disappeared and was not seen again.