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manoeuvring in the basin. When I asked the pilot for
an advice he said that we had nothing to do but to make
berth without any assistance or leave the basin.
S. It may also have been some error in ship's manoeuvring
which resulted in striking a shore crane.
C. There wasn't any error on the bridge either.
The vessel was ordered usual half and then full astern
to run off her headway but the bows turned to starboard
just a little bit due to her having the right-handed
propeller. It was impossible to appreciate that turn
and we noticed then an unexpected gust of on-shore wind.
As a result of that we slightly touched the legs of a shore
crane.
S. So, you admit a contact of your ship's starboard bow
with a shore crane, don't you?
C. I've never denied it, though it was nothing but a slight
touch, the leg was neither broken nor bent. The only
damage caused both to the ship and the crane is a minor
paint bruise. I'll immediately send a deck-hand to repair
and paint it.
S. Don't you think, however, there may also be some latent
damage not seen from the outside? The damaged leg should
be X-rayed but we don't have necessary equipment in the
port and ...
C. O.K. Mr Short, we can wait for at least a few hours till
you bring it here and have the leg X-rayed.
S. It's too late today. We can arrange it only tomorrow
morning.
C. I can't wait that long.
S. You see, Captain, then we reserve the right to make a
further claim against you after proper survey has been
held on the crane. For the time being I can only state
that no subsantial damage has been discovered from the
outside.