Seamen’s dispute delays 500 ferry passengers

Press, 23 August 1980, Page 3

Seamen’s dispute delays 500 ferry passengers

PA Wellington ] Five hundred passengers! and dozens of cars were; banked up on the Wellington waterfront yesterday for nearly 2| hours while seamen decided whether to go to sea. The ferry, which should have sailed for Picton at 10 a.m., finally departed nearer 11.30 a.m. ' The delay, up to 21 hours for those with vehicles, was at the instruction of the Seamen’s Union ’which told its members not to man the vessel until it had met the Railways’ management. That meeting was over Thursday’s dismissal of an Aramoana quartermaster bv Captain Alexander Munro Bv 11 a.m. the parties had agreed to a round-table discussion .of the master’s action early.: next week, and the ferry Was able, to sail.

Captain Munro said he agreed reluctantly. He would have preferred a Shipping Industry Tribunal hearing but the union would not accept that alternative. He had agreed to compromise because “I’ve got 500 or 600 passengers waiting to go to the South Island down there (in the terminal). I ’agreed so we could get the ship away.” Captain. Munro said he had relieved another' master on the Aramoana on Thursday evening before her 6.40 crossing to Picton. The departing master had told him that one quartermaster —■ the seaman who takes the wheel entering and leaving port — had put the wheel the wrong way five times entering Wellington harbour.

The ship’s other quarter-' master had taken the wheel apofoaching the berth “for safety of the vessel.”

It was decided not to allow the first quartermaster to take the wheel duringdarkness. Seamen’s union delegates on board were told. . i

Captain Munro said the quartermaster had then abused both captains for the decision, and had been dismissed forthwith.: i *