Writ served on tuna ship

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32612, 21 May 1971, Page 1

Writ served on tuna ship

(New Zealand Press Association)

NAPIER, May 20.

The 139 ft Australian tuna-fishing ship Espirito Santo has been arrested at the port of Napier.

Documents forming the writ were taped to a steel crow’s nest support above the ship’s wheelhouse today by a member of the Napier Court staff.

The writ was executed on a warrant issued in the Supreme Court at Wellington.

The writ is on a civil claim by William Cable, Ltd, for an unpaid debt. It has the effect of holding the Espirito Santo and its cargo against the debt. The writ withdraws some documents, including any customs clearance for the ship, effectively preventing it from being able to sail. Mr A. Perry, managing director of the United Continental Tuna Company, Townsville, which owns the ship, said the writ concerned an account for $5OOO from William Cable, Ltd, for a repaint of the ship’s hull earlier this year at Wellington. •

He said the account was contested because of an alleged faulty job, but his company would post a bond to cover the amount.

The Espirito Santo has been working on a joint venture with Fresha Products, Ltd, New Plymouth, on an experimental tuna-fishing expedition round the North Island coast, and has about 80 tons of frozen fish, worth $31,000, in its holds.

The ship, after fishing for 108 days, has been waiting at Napier for the freighter Amalric.

The fish is for export to America, and the Amalric, now due tomorrow night at Napier, is scheduled to take the cargo. Until the writ is satisfied, the cargo cannot be unloaded from the Esjpirito Santo. But the Amalric is expected to be kept at anchor for several days after her arrival before a berth becomes available.