THE KORUA'S SURVEY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17174, 3 February 1930, Page 8

THE KORUA'S SURVEY

QUESTION OF INSURANCE

DREDGE TO GO TO AUCKLAND

The. necessity of making arrangements for the navigation of the dredge Korua and tug Pelican to Auckland for survey was brought to the notice of the Gisborne Harbor Board by the resident engineer, Mr. C. K. .Marshall Smith, in a special report. This report, which raised questions relating to insurance and convoy, was as under :- "The dredge Korua and tug Pelican are (\ne for overhaul and survey at the end of February, and will have to be sent to Auckland for that purpose. This means that the dredger will have to cease work about February 15. as preparations for sea will occupy allout a week, and then the actual date of departure will depend on the weather. The buckets will be removed and left here, und the various links and bushes overhauled while the dredger is away.

"1 am having a list made of the work that will have to be done on both vessels. This, of course, means anything that can be ascertained by inspection hero and from reports by the master and engineer, and does not necessarily include everything that will be ordered by the Government surveybr when be inspects the' vessels in Auckland. This cannot bo foreseen and its extent is always problematical, especially in the case of an old vessel like the Pelican. However, we are, in the hands of the surveyor as regards that, and all we can do is' to see that such work is carried out as economically as possible. Speoilications will be drawn up wherever possible and competitive tenders and quotations obtained. It will not be possible always to .submit such prices to the board, but the lowest tender, compatible with value, will 'lie accepted and details supplied to the board later. In the event of large, unforeseen expense being necessary, the (nailer will be referred to the board before a decision is made. Mr. Park will proceed to Auckland to take charge of the work, and if tie' board considers it advisable I would also go and stay Hiere until the extent, of the work was known and the contracts let. This will o'bviale a lot of correspondence and delay, especially if 1 were given reasonable discretionary powers. "As regards the Pelican, I bad intended at one time In have the survey carried out, locally, but on considering the matter more fully 1 have, come to the conclusion that it' would be more economical and convenient tn send the Pelican to Auckland with the Korua. The main difficulty hero would be regarding the slipway." During the time the dredger will be away the three haws, tho two launches, and possibly other local vessels will require the use of the slipway. Everything must be ready to recommence dredging on the return of the return of the Korua. In addition, many of tho local commercial vessels have not been on the slip for a considerable lime and will no doubt ask for sujh service now that the slip is available for use. The Pelican can be docked at Auckland at the same time as the Korua and no delay caused. "In addition, the* Pelican can act as a tender to the Korua on the journey and give assistance in case of emergency. "The board will have to decide whether tho dredger is to be insured for tile trip or 1 not.. That there is a risk is evident from the high premiums charged by the insuranee company, but on the oilier hand if due notice is taken of weather forecasts and no navigating risks taken, the question becomes a fairly safe gamble, and the board treat it as such.

"A suggestion has hfpn put forward that arningnnipnt might, be made with a , steamer In tow the dredger or convoy it. hit I have discussed this with the rnnster of (lie dredger, and ho is not in favor of it. Kp points oul. quite wisely, ilia) tiic course would lip spt bv the"'steamer from point to point, and the dredger would have to follow, and weather that would not affe.pl the steamer would make conditions very uncomfortable and,, perhaps, dangerous on ihe dredger. He said he would prefer to go on )t' s own, or with the Pelican standing I>y., and could then lour the coast and take advantage of any shelter if necessary, and that he and the rest of the crew would have a great deal more confidence. I think the wishes of the man' who is to navigate the vessel should he acceded to in this respect. "1 have merely outlined such points as have occurred to me. hut there arc no doubt other matters that will arise during dimension or before the departure of the vessels, and can be dealt with as necessary." When the matter came before the 'hoard, the chairman, Mr. J. Tomblesonstated that he had had a quote from one sihinoiii!!: company to tow the dredge to Auckland for £IOO, and to stand by the dredge during the trip for £SO. Captain Carson, harbormaster, stated that he personally would favor a tow, and lie had discussed it with the dredge •master, who was also agreeable to hav ing the vessel towed. Tf the dredge was towed, if would be unnecessary to insure her, but if she went under her own power, she would need to be inacred. A powerful vessel could attain s ; x knots with (be dredge in tow, and the trip would take about 50 hours. The dredge would need a full crew for the/ow, but if rough weather was encountered the towing vessel would be able to assist the dredge in reaching an anchorage. Captain Carson bad no hesitation In saving the Korua would be quite safe with a good powerful vessel ahead. The Korua, ho said, was a most unsea worthy vessel, and her steering was "awful." The Pelican could hot, do much in ihe way of towing, owing U> her lack of power. If the vessel was towed, he had no hesitation in advising the board to send her without insurance.

The secretui'V stated that it would cost £843 to insure the vessel for the ret'trti .trip, whereas the tow would cost £?00 both ways. Mr. T. Corson moved that arrange tnents be made under the terms of the (mutation obtained by the chairman, and that the. dredge be sent to Auckland without insurance. Mr. T. Todd seconded the motion. The chairman said lie bad been under Ihe impression that the board would save about £IOOO by having the dredge towed, but he was not sure whether it Was advisable to take the risk when it could only save .CGOO. • The motion was, nevertheless, carried unanimously.