THE RONA MISHAP

Evening Star, Issue 18021, 15 July 1922, Page 3

THE RONA MISHAP

COURT’S DECISION DEFERRED. DEPARTMENT CLAIMS MASTER WAS IN CHARGE. At the conclusion of the Rona inquiry in Auckland, Mr Solwyn Mays (for the department) pointed out that public interest was tho vital point in matters such as this, and regret for the effect any finding might have on the careers of the persons concerned could not be allowed to interfere with public interest. The essentia! facts were perfectly dear. Linder good conditions, the casualty occurred in a ridiculous manner in approaching a perfectly safe harbor. That made navigation a farce. Had tho chief officer appreciated that ho was in charge there would have been no casualty. What happened in this case was that the chief officer took over his watch and did not then prick off the course; but tho master came up a little later, went into the charthouse, pricked off the course, and told tho officer to alter his course. That indicated that ho was up to bring the ship into port. Just afterwards ho said: “Steer for the light. I’m going down to get my overcoat.” There was no lack of responsibility so far as the chief officer was concerned, for it must have seemed to him just before striking that something had to be done, and he should have done it. There was no excuse for him, but what probably happened was that ho was waiting for the master to come back. Eventually lie .suddenly woke up to the fact that tho light was dangerously near, and that the master was not on deck; and it was then too late. Counsel held that part of the responsibility must rest with the master, in that the manner in which he left the bridge did not indicate to the chief officer clearly that he was in charge. It was in the captain’s favor that ho know that a thoroughly qualified, competent, and reliable man was on the bridge; but still the fact remained that a mistake was mado on both sides. The court adjourned for two hours to frame its findings. Later the court announced that it had been unable to come to a decision, and would give its findings at 11.30 a.m. on Monday.'