HARBOUR COLLISION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23208, 30 November 1938, Page 13

HARBOUR COLLISION

CARELESS NAVIGATION COURT BLAMES MASTER CERTIFICATE SUSPENDED; (Received November 29, 10.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, Nov. 29 Arising out of the collision in Sydney Harbour between the Macumba and the Sydney Star on September 24, the Commonwealth Marine Court today suspended for three months the certificate of the Macumba's master, Captain Harold Montag;u Sanders. He had - been previously adjudged guilty of careless navigation and responsibility for the collision.

The Blue Star motor freighter Sydney Star (11,095 tons), and the A.U.S.N, interstate freighter Macumba (2526 tons) came into collision off Bradley's Head. Sydney, late on the night of September 24. The Sydney Star was so badly damaged amidships that the engine-room filled with water, and the vessel had to be beached in Rose Bay. Holed above the water-line on the port • bow, the Macumba was able to reach Darling Harbour. The Sydney Star wasi inward bound from Queensland ports, and the Macumba outward bouind for Queensland ports. No ono was injured in either ship. Hie Commonwealth Marine Court on October 27 gave a formal verdict that Captain Sanders was to blame for careless navigating of his ship, amounting to misconduct under the Navigation Act. The Navigation Department then had to decide whether any further action should, be taken against the Macumba's. captain.