- 17
MONDAY,
PER 14,
1991
CONSEQUENTLY THE INVESTIGATING OFFICERS INSTIGATED A RESEARCH STUDY INTO THE WAVES SHE WOULD LIKELY TO HAVE ENCOUNTERED DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE GALE. THIS STUDY SHOWS MAXIMUM WAVE HEIGHTS OF ABOUT 18 METRES (59 FEET).
DUE TO THE FAILURE TO FIND THE WRECKAGE OR SURVIVORS, THE PRECISE CAUSE OF HER LOSS REMAINS UNCERTAIN. THE DEPTI OF WATER AROUND HER LAST REPORTED POSITION IS OVER 3,000 METRES.
IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY OTHER PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION, IT MOST LIKELY THAT A MAJOR STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF HER HULL RESULTED IN HER BREAKING IN TWO IS THE CAUSE OF HER SINKING.
THE
INVESTIGATING OFFICERS INVESTIGATION IS NOT WARRANTED GIVEN:
SEEMS
WHICH
CONSIDER THAT
A
FORMAL
(I)
(II)
ALL AVAILABLE EVIDENCE HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED BY SURVEYORS OF THE HONG KONG MARINE DEPARTMENT. THESE
INCLUDE:
L
THE MINERAL DIAMOND'S STRUCTURAL HISTORY AND THAT OF HER SISTERSHIPS;
THE CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING UP TO HER FINAL DEPARTURE FROM THE LOADING PORT OF DAMPIER, AUSTRALIA;
THE WEATHER WHICH SHE ENCOUNTERED AFTER LEAVING DAMPIER; AND
THE STANDARD OF HER MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION;
AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT BY THE AUSTRALIAN INSPECTOR OF MARINE ACCIDENTS, WHICH ALSO FAILED TO FIND DIRECT EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THE CAUSE OF THE LOSS. THAT INVESTIGATION COVERED THE SHIP'S DAMPIER:
STAY IN
SUCH As RESEARCH
(III) THE GENERAL TOPIC OF LOSSES OF BULK CARRIERS MINERAL DIAMOND IS THE SUBJECT OF INTERNATIONAL AND CO-OPERATION AT THE PRESENT TIME, AND THE LOSS OF THIS SHIP IS NOT AN ISOLATED INSTANCE;
(IV)
THIS INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH WHICH IS EXAMINING THE EVIDENCE FROM ALL, SUCH CASUALTIES IS A BETTER FORUM то ESTABLISH THE CAUSES OF SUCH LOSSES AND TO FIND METHODS TO PREVENT SIMILAR LOSSES.
THESE VIEWS ARE BEING CONSIDERED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE.
THE INVESTIGATING OFFICERS HAVE EXAMINED VARIOUS TECHNICAL ASPECTS AS PART OF THE PRELIMINARY INQUIRY. THESE COVER TOPICS SUCH AS HULL CONSTRUCTION, SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS. THEIR VIEWS ON THESE MATTERS ARE BEING CONSIDERED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE.
/THE MARINE