Ferry master rejects claims

Press, 19 June 1986, Page 1

Ferry master rejects claims

PA Wellington The master of the Cook Strait ferry Aratika, Captain Bill Jones, has rejected Opposition claims that his ship struck bottom while taking evasive action in Tory Channel to avoid a collision. “It didn’t happen,” said Captain Jones last evening of a reported incident with another Railways ferry, the Arahura. The Opposition’s transport spokesman, Mr Winston Peters, said in Parliament during the last two days that on March 29 the Arahura arid the Aratika were on collision course at the entrance to Tory Channel. The Aratika, which had just entered the channel after being called through the narrow heads by the Arahura, was forced to evade a collision, Mr Peters said. In doing so the ferry passed so close to the western (starboard) side of the channel that it struck bottom. But last evening Captain Jones, a ferry master since 1973, said the Arahura was never involved. Ships leaving the channel had right of way, but as the Aratika was being buffeted by gale-force winds, the Arahura’s master, Captain Laurie Collins, had advised she could enter the channel. “We made the left turn round the corner of the channel, but we didn’t turn as quickly as normal because of the wind and tide. We passed closer to the beach than normal. I couldn’t see how close we were because it was dark.” “We didn’t strike.” “The Arahura was in the channel — but nowhere near us. The Arahura was not close enough to cause us a problem. It was about a mile away.” The ferries passed each other at one of the narrowest parts of Tory Channel, but still were about 600 m apart. Captain Jones said he notified the fleet manager, Captain Adam Gullen, and as a precaution the fuel tanks were checked for water and divers were sent to inspect the hull. The fuel tanks were found to be sound and although the divers found scratches on the hull paintwork, there was no evidence of a strike. Further report, page 3