Coastal Ranger warning

Press, 15 September 1976, Page 6

Coastal Ranger warning

The president of the Canterbury Progress League (Mr D. S. McKenzie) has warned that the Rangatira’s replacement, the Coastal Ranger, may not be suitable for short inter-island trips. An inherent design weakness, which was avoided by using the ship on long runs, would show up on short inter-island runs, said Mr McKenzie. Problems were already threatening the Coastal Ranger, he said. There would be problems with wharf facilities at Lyttelton, too, he said. Loading requirement meant that the Coasta’. Ranger had to use Gladstone piei which was actually leased oy the Union Steam Ship Company. “It is unlikely that the Coastal Ranger end the New Zealand Shipping Corporation will have a very high priority order for the use of the Gladstone pier,” he said. It was regrettable that the

Rangatira was sailing for the United Kingdom so soon, especially when there was no buyer waiting for her, he said. She could have waited here in New Zealand to provide a readily available alternative to the Coastal Ranger should she be required.

Mr McKenzie said that he thought the greatest tragedy was that the Rangatira was taken from the service when the trading figures were improving.

Trading figures for the first half of this year were firmly convincing that the deficit would be only $750,000 for 1976, said Mr McKenzie.

The Rangatira was rapidly showing her viability since the freight rates on the Cook Strait ferry service were increased.

An improvement in trading figures became apparent immediately the heavy subsidies were lifted from the Cook IStrait rates.