CREW OF VESSEL GOES ASHORE

Southland Times, Issue 23333, 18 October 1937, Page 6

CREW OF VESSEL GOES ASHORE

Dispute Over Claim For Overtime SHIP MANNED ONLY BY OFFICERS MASTER GIVES REASON FOR ACTION (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, October 17. To avoid peril to his ship when the crew went ashore at Tokomaru Bay on Friday evening because of a dispute, Captain A. F. Watchlin, master and owner of the Watchlin line motor-ship Port Tauranga, put to sea with the vessel manned only by her officers. Although the action, which has few precedents in New Zealand’s shipping history, was admittedly in contravention of the sea regulations it is claimed that it was forced upon the captain by the stress of the threatening weather. The Port Tauranga arrived at Auckland from Tokomaru Bay on Saturday afternoon. The crew has left for Auckland by road. On the arrival of the Port Tauranga at Auckland Captain Watchlin stated that shortly before her time of departure from Tokomaru Bay for Auckland the crew’s delegate informed the chief officers that the crew had ceased work because of a dispute over a claim for one hour’s overtime at Auckland which had not been allowed. The men went to tea and at 6.15 p.m. were ordered by the chief officer to turn to and prepare the ship for sea. He said they refused to obey the order. Captain Watchlin informed the delegate that the time and place were not opportune to discuss the overtime dispute. He pointed out that the Port Tauranga was in an open and dangerous port, the wind was from the sea and was rising and rough weather was threatening. For the safety of the chip it was necessary to proceed to sea before dark, it being dangerous to remain any longer alongside the jetty. ORDERS NOT OBEYED Reasonable time for the men to make their decision was given, stated Captain Watchlin, and they were ordered to “turn to” by the chief officer. Instead of obeying the order the men took their clothes ashore and left the Port Tauranga. ’ “As the weather was threatening from the south-east and blowing right on to the jetty with an increasing swell it was not safe for the vessel to remain alongside over night,” said the master, who added that he had no option but to take the ship to sea with the assistance of the officers and without a crew. • Because of the increasing wind and sea he did not consider it safe to anchor off Tokomaru Bay and the Port Tauranga was headed for Auckland. The Port Tauranga, which is the latest addition to the Watchlin Line’s fleet, is discharging Australian cargo on the coast. She left Auckland for Tokomaru Bay on Tuesday morning to discharge 750 tons of Australian hardwood for use in the construction of a new wharf.