MASTER AND FIRST OFFICER BLAMED FOR LOSS OF SHIP

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 October 1949, Page 6

MASTER AND FIRST OFFICER BLAMED FOR LOSS OF SHIP

LONDON, October 3.—The Court of Inquiry into the loss of the Bri- i tish liner Magdalena off Rio de ’ Janeiro on April 25 temporarily sus- [ pended the certificates of the ship’s master, Captain D. R. Lee, and the first officer, Mr J. Senior, and declared them responsible for the loss of the ship. The Court said that Captain Lee had been guilty of a grave dereliction of duty, and suspended his master’s certificate for two years. Mr Senior’s certificate was suspended for one year. The Court ruled that the stranding was the result of a “wrongful omission by the master and the first officer.” It said that the first officer had radar at his disposal, but did not use it. . “On a clear night, the ship was stranded at least 10 minutes after the first officer had obtained bearings which clearly indicated that to continue on the course would very shortly bring her on to or dangerously close to Tijucas Rocks, marked on the chart,” said the Court. “We think his failure to take earlier action cannot be excused. He said he was not sure of the position he obtained, but this was a reason far taking immediate action and not for de- ‘ ferring it.” * The Court found that the master and officers did not, make proper allowance for compass error, or pay attention to the fact that, the vessel had constantly been getting northward of her course line. The Court 1 said it thought that the captain should have been on the bridge since the ship was in confined waters. The Magdalena was built in 1948 and was on her maiden voyage when she ran aground. Sixty-year-old Captain Lee, who was to have retired after his next voyage, sat impassive in the back of the Court while judgment was given. His eyes fell for a moment when the words “grave dereliction of duty” were read out. He left, the i Court hurriedly as soon as the Court adj ourned.