HEAVY SEAS ON BAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 August 1946, Page 6

HEAVY SEAS ON BAR

TWO SHIPS DELAYED AND TWO DIVERTED PORT REMAINS UNWORKABLE As a result of rough seas the port of Greymouth has been closed since , last Thursday—five days ago—and two vessels are bar-bound, two have been diverted to another port, and another is delayed in the roadstead. Conditions became worse to-day, when a four-knot, moderate fresh developed in the river and the seas on the bar became heavier, and it is not considered likely that there will be any improvement until to-mor-row night at the earliest. Unfavourable sea conditions commenced to interfere with the working of the port on Thursday when the Poolta and Holmlea completed loading and made ready for sea. They have prevailed every day since, but to-day became worse. Since Thursday, waterside employees have been out of work. The two vessels barbound, the Poolta and the Holmlea, are the two which spent over a week in port last month as the result of the seamen’s strike. Diverted to Westport The Kartigi and Rata which arrived in the roadstead during the weekend, have been diverted to Westport, and will load North Island coal cargoes there, though heavy seas have been experienced off the Buller river mouth during the past four days. j . The Gabriella, with 500 tons ot cargo for Greymouth, arrived in the roadstead this morning, but it is expected that she will have to spend at least two days »there before conditions allow entry to be made. Because of f her cargo being for Greymouth, she will not be diverted. The Kaimai is due outside to-night or some time to-morrow. She is to load coal for the North Island, and the Storm is also due.

On the Greymouth warf this morning some 42 hoppers were waiting, coal-laden, foi’ a vessel to enter the port, and congestion is certain to occur unless all surplus coal can be shipped overland. There was a stoppage at two mines, Liverpool and Wallsend, yesterday, and the consequent drop in coal production from the Grey district coal field will have the effect of postponing wharf congestion. Position at Westport At Westport the position is similar, but the effects are likely to be more lasting. Three ships, the Titoki, Karu and Karepo, are bar bound there and will remain tied up until soundings have been taken. A more serious aspect, however, is that a good deal of shoaling is likely to occur, and, after the seas abate, shipping may face a further delay. The depth on the Greymouth bar is still recorded at 24 feet, and, if this is maintained it will be more than sufficient to allow unrestricted shipping movements.