A SUSPENDED CERTIFICATE.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13454, 27 June 1912, Page 5

A SUSPENDED CERTIFICATE.

CHIEF OFFICER'S PROTEST.

FAILURE OF THE BOAT SYSTEM

(Received June 26, 10.50. p.m.)

London, June 26

The certificate of the chief officer of the Oceanai was suspended for six months. The Court held that the loss of life was chiefly due to his error of judgment. It censured him and the master for failing to take adequate rescue measures. ■

The chief officer declared that the decision was unjust.

The Court found that the boats were sufficient, but the manning insufficient and the- inspection inadequate. Notwithstanding the company's elaborate system, the Court was dismayed at its failure under not particularly difficult

circumstances

The'Gorman barque Pisagua collided with the staamer Oceana off Beachy Head, in the darkness, on March 17th. The Oceana went down six miles off Eastbourne., She carried a crew of 280 and 40 passengers. The .remainder of the passengers intended to join her at Marseilles. Seven passengers and three European members of the crew were drowned, besides several lascars, the loss of life being due to mishaps in the lowering of the boats. _ The pilot declared that the loss of life was unnecessary. None should have died had the boats been lowered immediately, but no such order was given from the bridge. At the/inquest on the bodies of the victims, the captain gave evidence that he ordered the boats to stand out, and the passengers were placed in them. He did not order the lowering, as it was dangerous while the vessel was moving. The chief officer admitted that, ho ordered the lowering of the boats, believing the vessel might sink at any moment.