COASTAL MASTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13745, 9 May 1908, Page 6

COASTAL MASTERS.

-A. THREATENED STRIKE. MOONAH-WAIRUXA COLLISION". The local coafetal masters do not view the decision given in the Wairuna-Moonah inquiry with favoui, and at ?, meeting of their association, held on Thursday evening, the following resolution was passed: —" We, the rnernbeTfi of the Coastal Masters' Association, having closely followed the evidence given in the Wairuna-Moonah inquiry, hereby express dissent from the judgment given in the case, and unhesitatingly express the opinion that none, of us could have done more tinder the circumstances than . the matter of the Moonah did to avoid the collision. We consider that he lias been harshly dealt with, and bind ourselves to do all we jan to assist him to appeal" against the decision. If the decision is to stand we refuse to accept the responsibility of navigating our vessels, as we may be placed in the same circumstances at any time, and we feel inclined to withdraw from our ships until oar owners agree to accept the responsibility for the heavy costs that may be given against us as has been done against the master of the Moonah." The Court found that the Moonah'? master knew, or ought to have known, that it was the Wainma's duty, under Article 20, to keep out.of the Moonahe way, and that the Mooriah's duty, under Article 21. was to keep her course and speed. The master of: the Moonah' could only justify his disobedience of Article 21 by showing that special circumstances had arisen which rendered a departure from the article necessary in order to avoid immediate danger. This he had. not done to the Court's satisfaction, and the Court was of opinion that if he had continued on his ccTurse the collision would not have occurred, and that in porting his helm and bringing his vessel suddenly to starboard across the Wairuna's bow he committed a breach of Article 21, being solely responsible for the collision. The order of the Court, was that the owners pay the costs of the trial, and that the master's certificate be suspended for six months. Mr. McGregor intimated that he would probably appeal against the decision of the Court. ■ One of the coastal masters, when approached by a Herald representative yesterday, stated that the association desired to bring the matter before a Court of Appeal, and the members were subscribing towards the expenses. If the decision of the Nautical Court held good, they would then consider the advisability of withdrawing from their ships until the owners agreed to accept the resoponsibilitv for the costs of any inquiries that might take place in the future. The position, said the speaker, was a serious one, and should the. masters be obliged to withdraw, it would mean that the coastal trade • would be disorganised, especially' with regard to the carriage of coa', timber, and gravel, which would practically cease. -