SEA CAPTAIN'S OFFENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20426, 30 November 1929, Page 15

SEA CAPTAIN'S OFFENCE.

STOWAGE OF DECK CARGO.

BREACH OF REGULATIONS

"The Marine Department views this offence very seriously," said Mr. Meredith, when the master of the schooner Coronation, Captain T. Monaghan (Mr. Moody), appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday on a charge of going to sea without the deck cargo being inspected. Mr. Meredith said the object of the regulations covering inspection of deck cargo was to preserve life and property at sea. Before a master went to sea with deck cargo it had to be inspected, and a certificate for its transport issued. Captain Monaghan had secured a certificate for the carriage of a quantity of benzine on deck. However, when the Coronation reached Awanui from Auckland it was found that two motor-lorries had been stowed on deck, no certificate having been issued in respect of them. Mr. Moody said the shipment of benzine was 118 cases short of the quantity for which the certificate was issued. The vessel loaded on a Saturday morning, and when the lorries arrived for transport it was too late to inform the department. There was no congestion on deck and Captain Monaghan thought it safe to load the vehicles.

"The Marine Department inspectors are there especially for the purpose of inspecting deck cargo," Mr. Meredith said. "The department has to take the responsibility that deck cargo is safe. If, as soon as an inspector's back is turned, further cargo is admitted without the inspector having an opportunity of seeing it, there may just as well be no inspectors." The magistrate warned defendant that he would have to obey the regulations. There was a maximum fine of £SO for a breach of the section. In imposing a fine of £2 with costs, the magistrate said he was treating defendant leniently in the circumstances.