MAN OVERBOARD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 257, 13 October 1932, Page 8

MAN OVERBOARD

IN SHARK-INFESTED WATERS.

SMART RESCUE MADE.

... Auckland, Oct. 12. exciting incident occurred when the Fort 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 m shark-infested waters and was picked up by a boat launched from the motorsnip. The accident occurred immediately after boat drill. AM 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 on as a member of the deck crew owing to the 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 the propellers as the hull of the vessel swept past him. The Port Gisborne was steaming at 15 knots, and as soon as the cry “Mhn overboard” reached the bridge the vessel’s helm was put quickly round. She was hove-to 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 eight minutes after Mr Nicholl fell into the sea he was picked up and taken on board none the worse for his experience.