Shipping News

Press, 11 April 1978, Page 23

Shipping News

Disagreement about mussel raft anchor

What sort of anchor should be used on -a mussel vraft? A report in "The Press” late last month said that an Akaroa mussel raft broke its moorings during a storm in May, 1976. This was not true, said the raft’s owner (Mr C. J. March) — it simply dragged its anchor 130 yards. Mr Marsh said the report gave the wrong impression,; and could jeopardise his; cause in his four-year battle 1 with the Akaroa County Council for the right to establish a mussel farm in Akaroa Harbour. The raft would not have moved at all had he been allowed to use the type of anchor he wanted, said Mr Marsh. Experience in the Marlbor-j ough Sounds had shown that Danforth anchors were! recommended on sandy bottoms because of their ability to dig in when under stress,; he said. However, the Akaroa Harbourmaster had insisted that concrete block moorings be used, and these had simply skidded along the bottom in the storm he said. The Harbourmaster, when questioned, confirmed that, as a matter of policy, Danforth anchors were not -allowed on unattended craft. 2 They might be effective in .the "-heltered Marlborough Sounds he said but not at .’Akaroa. where the harbour was very exposed, and the •mud on the bottom very; In any case, the type of mooring used by Mr Marsh initially was not the recommended type, said the Har--bourmaster. He used tyres' filled with concrete rather ■than concrete block moorings. The latter anchor was much more effective at sucking into the mud. ARRIVALS .' Coastal Trader '2.48 p.m.), 2500. C apt J. Sutherland. Auckland iS.C.N.Z .>.

DEPARTURES I H.M.A.S. Jervis Bay r 10.3 a.m.), for sea. iR.N.Z.N.) , Coastal Trader (7.15 p.m.). Dunedin. I Cielo di Salerno <8.35 pin.), , 18.900, Wellington (U.S.S.). 1 EXPECTED ARRIVALS - Union Melbourne. Dunedin, today. Union Hobart. Wellington, today. • Karetu, Marsden Point, today. Moreton Bay, Auckland. April 12. . Union Melbourne, Wellington, April 13. | Messiniaki Idea, Wellington, April i «■ , i Nedlloyd Loire, Tauranga, April Southland Star, Suva, April 14. . Pananagua, from sea, April 14. PROJECTED DEPARTURES > Union Melbourne, Wellington, to- . day. . Union Hobart, Wellington, today. Leia, for sea, today. Union Melbourne, Wellington, I April 13. I Moreton Bay. for sea, April 14. Southland Star. Wellington, ; April 15. VESSELS IN PORT Coastal Ranger. No. 2 West. Holmdale, No. 3 East. Leia, No. 3 West.