BOATS New Zealand –
The sinking of a 20,000 tonne Soviet cruise liner, because the New Zealand Pilot ordered it to be driven at speed into foul ground . The Mikhail Lermontov carried 738 passengers (mostly Australian) and crew into deteriorating weather and approaching darkness. One crewman died.
WHY was the Pilot never prosecuted?
WHY was the Pilot’s close friend appointed to head the Preliminary Inquiry, which was held in camera?
WHY did the Preliminary Inquiry recommend that there be no Public Inquiry?
WHY was the ship’s navigator questioned under oath, but the Pilot was not?
WHY are the Inquiry Files locked away in the National Archives?
WHY were the passengers denied the opportunity to give evidence?
WHY did the Pilot’s employer pay out $2.5 million?
pp. 270, illusts reprint #280626