Launch report shows no ground for action

Press, 26 July 1986, Page 3

Launch report shows no ground for action

PA Wellington The report on the sinking of the police launch Lady Elizabeth 11, released yesterday, shows that no ground exists for criminal action to be taken as a result of the accident. That was the view of Wellington’s district police commander, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Mairs, when asked to comment on the preliminary inquiry which showed the boat had been capsized by an 8m wave. Mr Mairs said there had been no breach of procedure in the operation of the launch. There was no ground for disciplinary actibn against any of the men involved. He said the “rogue” wave which capsized the boat was twice the normal size of waves encountered that day, and on a similar training exercise the day before.

It was quite clear that Senior Constable Jim

McLean, who was at the wheel when the wave struck, had steered the boat into the wave in a seamanlike manner but the launch “wasn’t up to it.” Mr Mairs defended the holding of the training exercise in rough weather. He said Constable Graham Herd and Constable Glenn Hughes, who died in the accident, were training to be launchmasters and this necessitated practical instruction in handling the launch in adverse conditions which could reasonably be expected in rescue situations. The conditions on July 2 were regarded as “ideal” for training purposes. “In my view the use of the launch for training purposes was reasonable in the circumstances,” Mr Mairs said.

He said he agreed with the report’s recommendation that inflatable life-

jackets should be worn inside the boat if comfortable ones, which allowed freedom of movement, could be found. When considering the replacement of the Lady Elizabeth II the police would also take into account the report’s recommendation that a selfrighting boat should be used, although it had to be realised that such a boat would cost more. Mr Mairs said he deeply regretted the loss of the two crew members. "I am, however, satisfied that the launchmaster and crew, when confronted by an emergency, acted in a professional and seamanlike manner, and no negligence lies on them,” he said. He said he would like to thank all those involved in the rescue, particularly the helicopter pilot, Mr Peter Button.

“Without his exceptional flying skills the loss of life would have been more severe.” ;