Mr Curd pleaded guilty for failing to navigate the ferry according to a rule relating to crossing situations.
The incident happened just after 4.30am on 10 April last year when Aratere was entering Wellington Harbour, and the chemical tanker Bow de Jin had departed Seaview bound for Timaru.
Both vessels were heading towards one another and a risk of collision existed. Under Maritime Rules, Aratere was required to keep out of the way of the Bow de Jin and avoid crossing ahead of Bow de Jin. But the Master of Aratere failed to realise the risk of collision had developed, and failed to take early and substantial action to keep clear.
Director of Maritime NZ, Russell Kilvington, says Mr Curd breached maritime rules by failing to appreciate the situation that had developed.
“This was a serious breach of a fundamental rule of good seamanship. Masters of vessels have a responsibility for the lives of those on board and for their vessel, and they must at all times act diligently, competently and professionally. In this case, Mr Curd did not.
“Clearly, a collision between the two vessels of this size would have had potentially disastrous consequences for their crews and passengers. Fortunately, the crew of Bow de Jin took urgent evasive action to avoid this happening,” he said.
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