MAN OVERBOARD

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 16, 13 October 1932, Page 11

MAN OVERBOARD

In Shark-Infested Waters QUICK RESCUE MADE Dominion Special Service. Auckland, Oct. 12. An exciting incident occurred when the Port Gisborne, which arrived from London via Panama to-day, was approximately half-way across the Pacific. A member of the crew, Quartermaster Nicholl, accidentally fell overboard iu shark-infested waters and was picked up by a boat launched ftotn the motor-ship. The accident occurred immediately after boat drill. All the boats had been swung in and practice was considered over when Mr. Nicholl, who with 17 others is certificated second mate and who signed ou as a member of tbe deck crew owing to tbe scarcity of bridge jobs, fell overboard. He had been standing outside the ship’s rail when the boat cover, which he was endeavouring to lace up, suddenly gave way.

With considerable presence of mind Mr. Nicholl violently kicked himself clear of tbe propellers as tbe hull of the vessel swept past him. The port Gisborne was steaming at 15 knots, and as soon as the cry “Man overboard” reached the bridge the vessel’s helm was put quickly round. She was hereto and a boat was manned and launched. The weather was fortunately fine and moderate with a south-east wind blowing, and in the remarkably short space of 8 minutes after .Mr. Nicholl fell into the sea he was picked up and taken on board none the worse for his experience.