HARBOUR BOARD Reduction In Berths “No Embarrassment”

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32314, 4 June 1970, Page 5

HARBOUR BOARD Reduction In Berths “No Embarrassment”

Concern at the decreasing number of working berths, particularly for coastal vessels, at Lyttelton, was expressed by the Port Employers’ Association in a letter received at the Lyttelton Harbour Board’s meeting yesterday.

But board members agreed that there had been no embarrassment in the berthing of ships, or the working of them with the labour available and decided to reply in that vein. The chairman (Mr F. I. Sutton) said that if every available berth in the port was occupied there would be one or two ships idle because of insufficient labour. The secretary of the Port Employers’ Association (Mr P. J. Twomey) in a letter asked that, as No. 1 breastwork would be out of action while it was being redecked, No. 6 berth be opened to

coastal vessels in the interim. He asked how long the No. 1 ; breastwork would be out of action. The chief engineer (Mr J. > B. Bushell) said that work on > the No. 1 breastwork would i take about six months, but the 1 breastwork would be parti- ■ ally open during that period. ' The breastwork was closed at ■ present. Work on the roll-on , terminal at Gladstone pier meant that there was only limited access to the No. 1 ; breastwork. i The condition of the deck- : ing and underwork on the breastwork, between 37 and 40 years old, was by and i large better than expected. ■ Work on redecking would be ; done further down the breast- ] work so that access would be better while Work was con- i tinuing on the Gladstone Pier ■ terminal. Mr Sutton said that re- i opening the No. 6 wharf for working ships would be eostly as it had been out of use for • two years. The board’s own vessels used one side, and the other side was used for vessels to refit, or to lay-up, and this was very necessary for

the efficient running of the port. Mr J. Brand said that the board was working to make more berths available at the port than ever before. It was concentrating on the No. 3 berth at Cashin Quay and that was more important than the No. 1 breastwork or the No. 6 wharf. The board was also providing another roll-on terminal. Captain A. R. Champion said neither the harbourmaster (Captain D. A. Holden) nor the port traffic manager (Mr J. B. Graham) had reported any embarrassment in berthing vessels when labour was available to work them, and the reply to the port employers should say this. Sir George Manning said it should also be pointed out to the association that the No. 1 breastwork would be partly open at times during redecking. Mr Sutton said that work was being done at an opportune time, and the breastwork would be in use again when wheat began going through the port and cargo rnovement was at its peak.