Tidal flows blamed for ferry mishap

The Press | Thursday, 29 March 200

Tory Channel's unique, difficult nature and unpredictable tidal flows were substantial factors in the near-grounding of a Cook Strait ferry – and not the seamanship of the master, his lawyer says.

Maritime New Zealand is prosecuting David William Birchall on charges of unnecessarily endangering lives and property, following a near miss on a night sailing of the Santa Regina from Picton on June 9, 2005.

Defence lawyer Paul McBride told the Wellington District Court yesterday that being caught by a tidal flow was an occupational hazard of navigating a ferry in the channel and did not in any sense make the master culpable.

The ship was carrying 57 passengers and a crew of 32.

Birchall's difficulties were compounded by lighting deficiencies in the channel, almost blackout conditions and the limited navigational equipment.

In what he called one of the main issues of the case, McBride said that al-though Birchall had im-mediate control of the ship, he was still throughout subordinate to another master.

There was also no obligation on Birchall to stick to the maritime equivalent of a flight plan, known as the passage plan, as "departure from it was not only open, but, indeed, was required, depending on the ship and conditions", McBride said.

That belief was challenged earlier by marine consultant and master mariner James Crawford, who said a specific plan, rather than a generic one drawn up by a Strait Shipping committee of masters, should have been prepared. –Dominion Post

Capital becoming harbour for hulks By COLIN PATTERSON

The Dominion Post | Monday, 9 April 2007

Some of the rusting hulks that litter Wellington's wharves could be headed for the depths of Cook Strait if the harbourmaster gets his way.

Captain Mike Pryce has told Greater Wellington regional council's environment committee that he will apply to Maritime New Zealand for permission to sink two of the ships 20 kilometers south of Cape Palliser in 1.7 kilometers of water. He said the last three owners of each of the ships had gone into liquidation.

The two ships, which he would not name, were now legally owned by the official assignee. The official assignee had decided the ships had no value, however, and had issued notices of disclaimer. If the notices were confirmed, Captain Pryce said, he would take possession of the two ships on April 20 and begin the process of scuttling them.

The cost would be borne by ratepayers and would depend on the state of the ships and how much oil and floatable material had to be removed. The Sarfaq cost $37,000 to sink in 2001. There are at least eight derelict ships tied up at the city's wharves, including the Manuia, which was used in Peter Jackson's film King Kong and is at Miramar wharf. Some have been tied up for more than a decade, despite public complaints and media attention.

Captain Pryce said his power to act was limited as the relevant legislation was "pretty rubbishy". As harbourmaster, he had power to seize ships that were a danger to navigation.

"But if they are tied to a wharf, that doesn't apply. But there are issues of public safety." Captain Pryce said he would like to deal to the remaining ships but was constrained because they had legal owners. CentrePort, which is owed thousands in unpaid berthing fees, has welcomed Captain Pryce's initiative.

"It solves a dilemma," said spokesman Charles Smith. "It's a logical conclusion bearing in mind the condition of the vessels." He said there was little CentrePort could do to prevent derelict ships littering the waterfront. The unpaid berthing fees would have to be written off. An owner of one of the hulks said he was about to start cutting it up.

Kevin Clarke said he had engaged contractors to cut up the Szap 8 at Miramar wharf after receiving resource consent. He hoped the work would be finished within a month but there were no guarantees.

"I'm keen to get this boat out of Wellington's hair and mine." A Porirua group is continuing its efforts to buy the Manuia - which was renamed Venture for filming purposes, in keeping with the original King Kong film and screenplay - then sink it off Mana Island.

Spokesman Mark Copsey of Business Porirua said the project was a way of commemorating the links between director Peter Jackson and Porirua. Jackson was brought up in Pukerua Bay and attended local schools.

Mr Copsey said talks were continuing with the Manuia's owner, Wellington developer Phil Stratford. "We're very keen to buy the ship. It's a matter of finding the right price." Mr Stratford, who told The Dominion Post in January that the Manuia would be gone from Miramar wharf within 30 days, could not be reached for comment.

Resident Paul Rae said he was pleased one ship out of the three berthed at Miramar wharf would be going. "But I would like the lot to be moved. The area's a rubbish dump. It looks disgusting." He said harbour authorities needed to be more proactive in preventing eyesores from staying at the city's wharves for years at a time.

"If leave my car in the street for two days they tow it away. Why can't they do the same?"