COLLISION NEAR MOLE

Evening Star, Issue 20539, 18 July 1930, Page 9

COLLISION NEAR MOLE

SMALL VESSEL AND LAUNCH MASTER OF STEAMER PROSECUTED Early on the morning of May 21 last the small five-ton steamer, Vera, and the Otago Harbour Board’s launch Pilot collided near the Mole. The mishap led to a Police Court prosecution, which commenced this morning before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M. The defendant was the master of the Vera, Thomas Louis Waugh, who was carged with navigating the vessel Vera without exhibiting a masthead light; with (being master of the Vera, a steam vessel of less than forty tons) failing to carry a bright white light on the forepart of the vessel, or in front of the funnel, where it could befit be seen, and at a height above .the gunwale of not less than 9ft with carrying or exhibiting a light, to wit, an ordinary dray dash lantern, _ on the deckhouse of the ship: and with failing to obey the regulations for preventing collisions at sea, in that the side lights were carried less than 3ft below the white light referred to in the regulations. Mr Taylor conducted the prosecution for the Marine Department, and the defendant Was -represented by Mr White and Mr Cooke. Mr A. C. Stephens watched the proceedings in the interests of the Harbour Board. Mr Taylor said that the prosecution arose out of a collision which occurred off the end of the Mole between the Vera, of which the defendant was the owner, and the Pilot, a Harbour Board launch, which was on its way out at 6.20 a.m, to meet an overseas vessel, the Golden Cross, and take her in to her berth. With Captains Mackenzie and Page on board, the launch was passing the end of the Mole, and was on the look-out for the Golden Cross when suddenly the Vera, apparently without lights, and certainly without the light certified in the regulations, loomed up and a collision occurred. A discourse on the regulations followed, and Mr Taylor asked leave to withdraw the first and third charges. He added that the offences came under the Shipping and Seamen Act. A bright white light was not carried 9£t above the gunwale. After the collision the vessels returned to Port Chalmers, and the damage was inspected by Captain Fraser. On being asked by the captain where his headlight was Waugh went to the deckhouse and brought- out-the lantern (produced). Captain Fraser told him it was not a regulation light. Captain Mackenzie, master or the launch, stated that there was a fair ebb tide running at the time of the collision. Immediately after the impact the Vera heeled over to a big angle. Witness would have seen alight if its display had been according to the regulations. To Mr White: He saw defendant’s red lights just when the launch was on top of the Vera. Captain Page, pilot master for the Harbour Board, also gave evidence. (Proceeding.)