NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18410, 17 May 1920, Page 8

NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

THE INGA MISHAP. [Pub Press Association.] WELLINGTON, May 15. The Court of Inquiry into the stranding of the Inga off Taranaki Bight early in the morning of April 30, delivered its decision this morningThe Court found that tho casualty was due to the vessel failing to keep to the course set by the master by tho fact that the vessel was carried about live miles out of her course _ towards land, and into danger, and indicated that she Was affected by a set in towards the shore, which was not apparent to the second officer in charge. The Court was of the opinion that the second officer should have called the master at 1 a.m., and failure to do so constituted an act of negligence. The Court, however, thought that the casualty could have been obviated had the position of the vessel been more definitely fixed, and considered, the casualty was to some extent contributed to by the default of the master in failing to use the patent log, and by the neglect of the second officer, whose conduct called for severe censure.

Their certificates were not suspended, but the master and second officer were required to pay the costs of the proceeding in equal shares.