THE MARAROA MISHAP

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3029, 16 March 1917, Page 6

THE MARAROA MISHAP

INQUIRY ENDS

CAPTAIN'S CERTIFICATE RETURNED

The inquiry into the stranding of the ferry steamer Mararoa was concluded yesterday, aJid tho out'como is that Captain R.eid's certificate has been returned, and be has been ordered to pay half the cost of the inquiry. Additional evidence was called on matters of detail, and Mr. V. R. Meredith, who appeared for tho Marino Department, then addressed the Court. Mr. Meredith said that the question was whether Captain Reid was justified in approaching tho coast in a dense fog wlien he did not know his position. In the ease of tho wreck of tho Orion tho principle had been laid down that it was a master's duty not to see how near in he could get without risk, but to Iceop out far enough to avoid risk. The Court retired, and in less than an hour returned with J this finding:— "In the opinion of the Court the stranding of the s.s. Mararoa on the Wellington coast, four to five miles south-east of Pencarrow Head, on February 24, 1.917, was due to an unexpected easterly set, and to a den6e fog whioh prevented tho master, Jameß Thomas Reid, from ascertaining his position with any degree of certainty prior to tho stranding. "In tho opinion of the Court the stranding of the ship was contributed to by an error of judgment on tho part of the master in failing to stop tho ship at 8 a.m., and tako the way off her instead of . going slow. Under the weather conditions then prevailing, if this had been done, the master would have allowed himself time to ■ obtain more accurate soundings, and . in this way take all reasonable precautions to avoid stranding. "The stranding was not due to any wrongful act or default on tho part of any other officer or member of the crew of the ship."The master's certificate is returned herewith to him, and he is ordered to pay half the cost of this inquiry.''