The rules of boat safety

Boat safety was a thing for many centuries. Mostly it was unwritten rules for the greater part of the population. Common sense prevailed.

But, in more recent years, boats had to be registered, particularly if they were for commercial use.

They were inspected and assessed on a number of factors to ensure they met the maritime rules of the day.

One factor for this boat was the carrying capacity.

If no goods were being carried, nor was it towing another vessel, it was limited to ten passengers ‘in daylight’.

This photo was indeed taken in daylight so at 55 passengers, it is substantially overloaded.

We think however it was probably loaded up for the photo.

It’s unlikely Caesar Roose would have risked so many on the river.

Roose owned the boat but sold it in 1914 to Waikato

Shipping Co.

They changed its name to Rangipai.

Contributed by Perry Rice, Heritage Librarian – Photographs, Hamilton Central Library with assistance from Bruce Kilham.

If you have any information you would like to pass on or would like to buy an electronic copy of the photo, please e-mail archives@hcc.govt.nz quoting: HCL_05317