Ferry master sentencing a reminder to keep a proper look out

The accident happened on 4 January in Motuihe Channel, when Mr Williams failed to see the nine-metre-long fishing charter boat, Doctor Hook, until immediately before the collision.

As a result, the skipper of Doctor Hook and his seven passengers were injured and one passenger, Moira Newman (74), died three weeks later due to head and internal injuries.

Maritime NZ Investigator Ian Howden says there are several reasons why it would have been prudent for the master to have had a second watch keeper on the bridge: “Firstly, a crane on board the ferry was partially obscuring his view, and second, the Motuihe Channel is a narrow waterway with a lot of traffic. Also, the master should have been standing in the wheelhouse rather than sitting, and he should have made better use of navigational aids.

“Mr Williams was in command of a 456 tonne ferry with 377 passengers on board travelling at 24 knots through a relatively narrow area of water, with a number of other vessels nearby. He failed to see Doctor Hook, despite passengers saying the vessels were within view of each other for at least 1 kilometre before the collision. And, despite being aware that the crane on the Quickcat deck partially obscured his view, he failed take steps to ensure visibility around it.

“This tragic accident is a reminder to all skippers that they can’t be complacent about their fundamental obligations to safety, including the need to keep a proper lookout. Keeping a proper lookout has been a fundamental duty since time immemorial – and in this case it didn’t happen and the consequences were tragic. Maritime rules are designed to protect the safety of people at sea, and it’s critical all skippers abide by them,” he said.