FAULTY LOOK-OUT CAUSED LOSS OF FUTURIST

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 May 1947, Page 6

FAULTY LOOK-OUT CAUSED LOSS OF FUTURIST

(P.A.) Wellington, May 7. Faulty lookout was the immediate cause of the stranding of the trawler Futurist south of Cape Campbell lighthouse. This is the finding of Mr. H J. Thompson, S.M., who conducted an inquiry into the circumstances of the stranding, assisted by Captains A. H Howie and A. T. Dowell. The casualty was not caused or contributed to by wrongful act of the master or the crew other than the fireman, Albert William Paton, the court found. From 2 a.m. until the vessel struck at 3.30 a.m. an effective lookout was not kept by Paton, who was then on duty. He was incompetent and Inexperienced in lookout duties and neglected to notify the master of the poor visibility, the change of wind and the set from the south. The set from the south, which could not reasonably have been foreseen when the master retired, carried the vessel some six miles into the shore and was a contributory cause. Precautions taken by the master were sufficient in view of the long practice of trawlers in the vicinity and the situatidn when he retired. However, no steps were taken bv the master to ensure that the lookouts were capable of carrying out their tasks and there was some lack of specific instruction to firemen lookouts. No criticism is made of the action of the master and the crew after the stranding occurred. The masters of the trawlers Phyllis and Maimai arc commended for the prompt action they took and for risks incurred by them in standing right in to the rocks In an endeavour to assist the Futurist. Trawlers’ lookouts at night should not. be firemen, the court considered, but experienced deckhands There were practical difficulties with a small crew, but the difficulties were outweighed by the need for safeguarding the lives of the men and the safetv°of the ship. Firemen lookouts, it. wap stated, were ant to consider that their chief duties lay in the engineroom, and spend too much time there. Tlieir eyes needed appreciable time to become accustomed to the darkness after they had come on deck from the engineroom. _ _ The practice of drifting on the Can Campbell grounds could not bo considered unsafe provided an efficient watch was kent and the weather was clear and fine. The master should be called in case of a change of wind, wind rlslnq or poor visibility. The court made no order as to cost.. or disciplinary action. _