Aust. Navy accepts responsibility

Press, 13 May 1986, Page 2

Aust. Navy accepts responsibility

PA Nelson The submarine gangway which fell into the sea at Port Nelson on Saturday was “our responsibility front to back,” said the vessel’s commanding officer yesterday.

A Nelson man, aged 66, and a girl, aged 15, were thrown into the sea when the gangway fell. The man later died in Nelson Hospital. He was Mr William Massey. The captain of H.M.A.S. Orion, Commander Kim Pitt, convened an immediate investigation. He said yesterday that the Nelson Harbour Board could not be blamed in any way for the incident. “The submarine is the only agency which could be considered at fault — if there is fault to be

found. It was our own gangway, carried on board, rigged by submarine personnel and maintained by our personnel. It was our responsibility front to back,” he said.

“It is a fairly sturdy machine which is used to carry heavy equipment across to the vessel. It is weight-tested. On this occasion the gangway did not collapse. It was recovered entire and sound,” said Commander Pitt.

The access way was secured at one end to allow for the rise and fall of the vessel.

When the accident happened a big crowd watched as members of the Orion’s crew, led by the officer of the day, Lieutenant Mark Sanders, plunged into the narrow strip of water between the wharf and the vessel to

rescue Mr Massey. Several crew members were wearing heavy jerseys and seaboots.

After lifting the gangway, the rescue party lifted the injured man on to the wharf. Attempts were made to revive him. Two nurses visiting the ship helped crew members before Mr Massey was taken to hospital.

Commander Pitt said yesterday that he believed Mr Massey had been revived to the point where he had a good pulse and was breathing. He visited the dead man’s family on Sunday evening.

The Nelson police are also investigating the accident and have appealed to anyone who was nearby at the time to come forward.

The Orion is due to sail at 10 a.m. today.