Overloading

Skirting With Death On The High Seas

Concern For

From a Staff Writer in Suva Authorities here are concerned with the utter disregard some local ships’ masters have for

human life, by the way they

flout the regulations governing

the maximum number of passen gers each vessel can carry.

The Fijian, like anybody else, ikes to spend his holidays at home, :.n his own village. If he has to :ravel by sea, he couldn’t care less f the cutter he is on is carrying 50 passengers instead of the stipu lated 25 or 30.

The risk of the vessel being jwamped in the open sea miles from imyhere, because of overloading, never seems to enter his head.

"Indifference"

That is one problem, but add to this attitude of public indifference the contempt some local skippers nave for the marine regulations, and you have a matter needing investi gation.

Some skipers are always certain that “everything will be all right”.

A major tragedy some day will doubtless disprove this attitude.

The Government imposes fines, in most cases, when a captain is pro secuted, but there does not appear to have been enough prosecutions to improve the situation.

Fijians have been sent to prison for up to 12 months for stealing a tin of meat on the waterfront, but i man who flouts the law and sub jects people to risk on the high seas deserves more than a fine.

Nukualofa, Tonga, January 27.

Overloading of inter-island boats iin Tongan waters has in the past brought about the need of strict supervision by harbour authorities.

But this dangerous practice has ;again been brought into the light through the tragic sinking of the 30- Ift cutter, Lupe. A young child was idrowned and 34 other passengers (thrown into heavy seas when the cutter capsized about 20 miles out iof Nukualofa. The cutter was [licenced to carry 10 passengers.

The survivors clung desparately rto the upturned hulk and fortun sately rescue came in two hours 'When the Wesleyan boat, Fetu’u’aho, [happened to pass by.

An inquiry will be held.