§ Mr. COOPERasked the President of the Board of Trade if, and when, his surveyors passed the excursion steamer "Queen of the Fal," of Falmouth; if they tested the lowering gear and falls of the lifeboats, and if they were in proper order; if so, why, on a recent occasion, in attempting to lower one of these boats the falls jammed, and it took the whole crew, including the captain and engineer, over twenty minutes to get her in the water, this happening in calm water up Falmouth River; if he is satisfied that this vessel, with such a high saloon deck, is sufficiently stable to encounter the heavy seas outside Falmouth Harbour when loaded with excursionists; if she has been tested for stability, and, if not, before her certificate is renewed will he give instructions for her boats to be lowered and gear tested, and that she will also be tested for stability; and will he say whether the Board's surveyor at Falmouth is responsible for surveying both the "Lyonesse" and the "Queen of the Fal"?
Mr. BUXTONThe ss. "Queen of the Fal" was surveyed by a Board of Trade surveyor in July last, and passenger certificates were issued. During the survey the lowering gear and falls of the lifeboats were tested, and were found to be in proper order. The vessel was tested for stability before the passenger certificates were issued, and the results were satisfactory. The Board of Trade surveyor at Falmouth was responsible for surveying both this vessel and the "Lyonesse." With regard to the boats, I am informed by the company which owns the vessel that on the occasion to which the hon. Member apparently alludes the passengers were landed by means of boats at a place of call; that there was no need for the boats to be launched quickly, and that there was no undue delay. It is stated1988W that the falls did not jam, and that all the passengers were Janded within twenty minutes.
§ Mr. COOPERasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the fact that the ss. "Lyonesse," running between Penzance and the Scilly Isles, which vessel is certified by the Board's Marine Department to carry in summer 240 passengers, and in winter 285 passengers, with a total crew of twelve, including engineers, firemen, etc., on Monday, 16th September, ran a cheap excursion from Penzance to the Scilly Isles, and with about 200 to 250 passengers on board, the whole of her decks, except the cattle space under the bridge, were crowded; whether he can state upon what principle the vessel is certified to carry such a number of passengers as 340, if the cattle spaces are measured to accommodate passengers in the place of cattle, and if such spaces are fit and sufficiently ventilated for such purpose; whether he is aware that of the three boats which are certified to carry fifty persons in all, the largest boat of the three was stowed on the starboard side of the well deck forward, with no oars, rowlocks, bailer, sea anchor, or in fact any equipment in her, and that she was so placed that the available davits were in no way in the proper position to lift the boat out; whether he is aware that the boat so placed, would in case of the vessel being caught in a heavy sea be likely to be washed overboard, and it would be almost impossible for the crew to get the boat overboard; if he will explain why the boat so placed should be counted as available for immediate use in case of emergency, and why the five deck seats are certified to accommodate forty persons although they would not seat four on each; and, seeing that this vessel has to encounter the severest weather conditions around the coast, whether he will take steps to see that a certificate for a reasonable number of passengers only is granted, that the boats are all kept ready for lowering, that all proper gear is kept in them, that the deck seats are certified only for a proper number, and that additional life-saving appliances are placed on board?
Mr. BUXTONAccording to a report made by the surveyor to the Board of Trade at Falmouth, 236 passengers were carried on the excursion made by the ss. "Lyonnesse" on the 16th September last, and the decks were not unduly crowded. 1989W The method by which the number of passengers is determined is to divide the total area in square feet, of the space available for the accommodation of passengers, by nine. In the case of this vessel the number thus arrived at for the summer season is 340. The spaces under the bridge are not used for the carriage of cattle. They afford good deck shelter for passengers and are well ventilated. If the transport of a horse or a beast is required it is carried in a horse-box placed on the fore deck, but this would not be allowed on an excursion. The vessel is provided with three boats. The two larger ones are properly equipped and carried in chocks under davits at the after part of the bridge, one boat on each side of the vessel. The smallest boat of the three, which is also properly equipped, is provided with davits on the starboard side forward of the bridge; and, by means of the steam derrick, which is always available, this boat can be put out on either side of the vessel. In the event of a heavy sea running, this boat is suitably stowed over the hatchway, immediately under the derrick and within easy reach of the davits. It would not be likely to be washed overboard from this position, and is available for immediate use. The five deck seats referred to are described as "Buoyant Apparatus," and are certified to support, or keep afloat, forty persons. They are not intended for sitting on when in the water. When the new life-saving appliances rules come in force this vessel will, of course, be required to comply with them.