12 April 2005
A fisherman was convicted for knowingly operating his vessel without the appropriate maritime qualification and fined $750, in Nelson District Court today.
Maritime Safety Authority Deputy Director of Monitoring Compliance, Bruce Maroc, says the sentencing is a reminder to other commercial fishermen that they must be appropriately qualified for the area in which they operate.“MSA considers the operation of any vessel outside its limits to be a serious offence. It is critical that masters have the skills and experience required for the area in which they operate, for everyone’s safety,” he said.
The sentencing relates to an accident where the fishing vessel Poseidon grounded when it was returning to Manukau Harbour, in April last year.
During the MSA’s investigation into the grounding, it was found that the area where the master of the vessel, Mr Gregory Stewart, had been fishing before the accident was clearly outside the area allowed by his qualification.
To fish in this area in an under 20-metre-long boat, Mr Stewart should have held an Inshore Launchmaster’s Certificate of competency with a New Zealand Offshore Watchkeeper’s endorsement. Instead, Mr Stewart held a Commercial Launchmaster’s certificate of competency. He also told the MSA investigator that he knew that he should not have operated the Poseidon at the location where he was fishing, with his certificate.
For further information contact:
Maritime New Zealand Media Line
Phone 04 499 7318
