Talks On Pilots’ Duties

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31769, 28 August 1968, Page 28

Talks On Pilots’ Duties

(N.Z. Press Association)

AUCKLAND, Aug? 27. The Auckland Harbour Board decided today to take up the question of pilots on naval vessels with naval authorities, after the grounding of the United States Navy oil tanker Caliente earlier this month.

The board’s general manager, Mr R. T. Lorimer, said the grounding of the tanker in Auckland Harbour showed the need to establish more clearly the question of com-

pulsory pilots on naval vessels.

Normal merchant ship procedure should be used when naval vessels were being piloted, he said. The Caliente was refloated about three hours after she grounded. But the serious consequences, if this had not been the case, or the possibility of oil pollution in harbour waters, justified the board’s inquiry into the incident, he said. The United States authorities confirmed that they had no complaint about the board’s services or the actions of its employees. A harbour board pilot. Captain A. R. Bedwell, had been requested, but his report indicated that his duties Had been limited. The Harbourmaster (Cap-, tain R. H. Carter) said the question of pilots on naval vessels had always been a vexed one.

“The Navy naturally assumes, because of its role, that it can take a ship anywhere, at any time,” he said. “When pilots have gone aboard Navy vessels they have gone aboard with the idea that they are there to advise, and if they are not wanted

they stand back until they are wanted,” he said. In the case of the Caliente, the last of eight ships in line astern, an error in navigation “obviously took place on the part of the officer in charge of the vessel," he said. A board member (Mr E. C. Ar mishaw) said there should be legislation to enable the pilot to be in control, “rather than sitting around waiting for something to do.”