CHATHAMS CONVOY Prosecution Intended If Below Standard

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31479, 20 September 1967, Page 1

CHATHAMS CONVOY Prosecution Intended If Below Standard

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, September 19.

The Marine Department intends to prosecute under the Shipping and Seamen’s Act any of the four crayfishing boats which made an unauthorised crossing from the Chathams to Lyttelton last week if they are found to be below the required standard.

The Secretary of Marine (Mr R. N. Kerr) said tonight that reports on the vessels, and on the situation at the Chathams, were still awaited from the policeman at the Islands (Constable W. W. Maloney) and from the Marine Department representative at Lyttelton.

The boats concerned are the Mary G, Centurion, Rangiaurla and Esperance, all of which had been told earlier to remain at the Chathams because they had gone past

their survey time. It is understood that two of these vessels are likely to be considered up to standard.

but that considerable official doubt exists about the other two.

“All we can say at this juncture is that if any of the boats are found to be below the standard as laid down, their owners will be prosecuted,” Mr Kerr said. “There can be no concessions in the future.”

Asked about the loss of the Rimu, the Minister of Marine (Mr Scott) said today that only a preliminary inquiry had been held so far. “A formal investigation has been ordered, and the Marine Department is arranging the court,” Mr Scott said. “When this has bee,, finalised, a press statement giving details of the court of inquiry and the date of the hearing will be released.

“Where a formal investigation is to follow, it is not the practice to release details of the preliminary inquiry.”

Mr Scott said the Marine Department was concerned at the number of vessels fishing at the Chathams because of the limited anchorages and adverse weather and sea conditions.

“The lack of a slipway is also a matter of some concern," he said. Investigations were being lade with a view to providing a slipway at the Chathams so fishing vessels would not have to return to New Zealand for survey, maintenance and repair. “This would also overcome the difficulties of obtaining fully qualified crews to return the vessels to the mainland,” he said. In an earlier interview, Mr Scott mentioned the possibility of transferring to the Chathams a mobile slipway now at Bluff. Asked about this today, Mr Kerr said that the Bluff slipway had been inspected by Marine Department officers, and had been rejected as unsuitable. Mr Kerr intends to go to the Chathams by air as soon as possible to examine possibilities.