Radio Vessel Sails Without Certificate

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31615, 28 February 1968, Page 1

Radio Vessel Sails Without Certificate

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 27. Any action on the sailing of the Radio Hauraki broadcasting ship Kapuni without a Marine Department survey certificate would have to be considered in Wellington, said the district superintendent of the department, Mr B. E. Turner, today.

The Kapuni reached permanent moorings in international waters near Great Barrier Island this morning after an uneventful voyage from Auckland, leaving at 1.21 a.m. “It is a policy matter for Wellington,” said Mr Turner. The survey certificate for the

Kapuni had lapsed towards the end of last year, but any request for a new certificate had to come from the owners of the craft. “They have made no request for such a survey, and the department has no authority just to walk aboard and carry out a survey,” said Mr Turner. “The Act wasn’t written to cover this sort of situation.” Asked why the Kapuni had not been submitted for sur-

vey, the advertising director of Radio Hauraki, Mr D. S. R. Lowe, said that the firm’s previous dealings with the Marine Department had cost it a lot at time and money. Two Occasions “Last time we slipped the Tiri on two occasions, and they did not even turn up. “Later they told us her propeller shaft had to removed, and after we had beached her to do this they turned round and told us this was not necessary. “It’s a case of once bitten twice shy,” said Mr Lowe. The firm’s staff had not been paid for four weeks and the chance to acquire a new ship had cost a lot of money, making it imperative that broadcasting should start again as soon as possible. Sought Advice The firm had sought independent marine advice on the state of the Kapuni. “We were told she was completely seaworthy. We succeeded in getting the ship insured after the underwriters were satisfied as to its condition.

“She carries all necessary life-saving equipment, is fully manned with a certificated master and qualified engineer and complies to the best of our knowledge with all the necessary requirements.” Asked to comment on the Kapuni’s sailing, the Minister of Marine (Mr Scott) said: “1 arrested them last time and the Magistrate threw me out of court. I don’t intend a second shot.”