Good Prospects For Salvage

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31654, 15 April 1968, Page 16

Good Prospects For Salvage

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 14. An overseas salvage expert is optimistic about the prospects of salvaging the Wahine.

Captain M. J. Anderson, representative of the Salvage Association, London, said tonight: “I think the Wahine could be brought back into service. I can’t see it being scrapped.”

However, a Union Steam Ship Company spokesman said if the ship was saved it would have to go overseas for major repairs and refitting. The spokesman said the company was looking into the question of a replacem-' t ship to take the Wahine’s place on the Wellington-Lyt-telton service. “We know there are carpassenger ferries for sale, and charter, but we have come to no decision yet," he said. Captain Anderson said the method of salvaging depended on the individual salvager “but they’ll probably try and get it upright as soon as possible, seal it off, and pump it out from there.” Captain Anderson said there probably would be problems, because nobody knew what the weather would do, or what the extent of the damage was. Already one salvaging firm’s representative has visited Wellington to inspect the Wahine, and others are expected in the next few days. Temporary Repairs The Union Company spokesman said if the Wahine was salvaged, temporary repairs would have to be made before she could be taken overseas to be restored to her previous condition. The spokesman said the company’s Wellington office had been open 12 hours daily

since Wednesday dealing with inquiries about future sailings, and arranging for travel and clothing expenses for survivors. He said most people who had booked to sail on the Wahine this week had been rebooked on the Maori.