LOSS OF SAMOAN LAUNCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22903, 10 June 1936, Page 7

LOSS OF SAMOAN LAUNCH

FINDING OF INQUIRY COMMISSION

OWNERS AND MASTER BLAMEWORTHY

(Per United Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 9

The Samoan correspondent of the Press Association reports that the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the wreck of the motor boat Tinfau on January 17 last has been made available. The majority of the commission found that the causes of the accident were:(a) Insufficient ballast in comparison with the load carried on deck; (b) the ballast being badly secured; (c) want of expert seamanship on the part of the master, Hicks. The commission also found that those responsible for the safely of the vessel had not taken all necessary and reasonable steps to prevent the casualty, and that the owners and master of the Tinfau should be held responsible for the accident.

It w r as recommended that a harbour committee be set up to draw up rules and regulations regarding local craft, with a view to preventing accidents to vessels at sea, and that in future only certificated Board of Trade officers he allowed to handle vessels running on the Apia-Pago Pago service. The owners and the master of the Tiafau were ordered to contribute 131 10s towards the cost of the inquiry.

A minority report presented by Mr I. 11. Carruthers. attributed the wreck to an net of God, and made no recommendations.

It will be recalled that the Tiafau upset while on an inter-island trip, and that the passengers and crew were rescued after a perilous experience. A further inquiry is to be held embracing questions regarding the adequacy of the local shipping provisions, and the safety of the present methods of transport by sea in the home, inter-island, and overseas trade.