NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 75

NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

THE COOK STRAIT INCIDENT. BREACH OF NAVIGATION RULES. WELLINGTON, March 5. Mr Riddell, S.M., gave his decision in the nautical inquiry into the incident in Cook Strait on February 3, in which the Maunganui and Tamahine were concerned. The question (he said) wag. whether the masters of either or both ships did navigate their vessels in such a manner as to endanger the safety of 'either, or toth, vessels. As the vessels were travelling ai a speed almost equal, both masters must have been aware that the necessary changes of course required to place their vessels on their respective routes would eventually bring them closer together and reduce the margin of safety then existing. The Tamahine was the following vessel and her course to Picton crossed that of the Maunganui. In these conditions the duty of the master of the Tamahine was to observe the articles of tho regulations preventing collisions at sea. Similarly the duty of the Maunganui was to observe the article which lays it down that where, by any of the rules, one or two vessels is to keep out of the way of the other the other shall keep her . course and speed. After reviewing the evidence Mr Riddell said: “ The captain of the Tamahine, by following the Maunganui too closely, eventually found himself in a position of difficulty, and was compelled to take prompt steps to regain his margin of safety. The weight of evidence is not sufficient to warrant the court finding that the safety of either ship, was endangered, but tho occurrence was of such a nature which could easily have been avoided if the master of the Tamahine had observed the rules.” He ordered the respective parties to pay their own costs.