Nz Court News

Maritime New Zealand inform that the master of the 177m Singapore-flagged cargo vessel 'Lake Triview' has been fined $2000 (plus $130 court costs) after pleading guilty to a charge of failing to notify Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) that the vessel had grounded off New Plymouth after dragging its anchor. Rolando Valmeo Legaspi, 63, of the Philippines was sentenced in New Plymouth District Court, and MNZ Director Keith Manch said the sentence should send a strong message to those responsible for vessels operating around New Zealand. "This incident posed a potential threat to the 21 crew, and could have had a serious impact on the environment, and yet no effort was made for some days to notify MNZ.

Daina Shipping fined $300,000 in NZ Court for discharge of harmful substances following grounding of the ship Oct. 2011. “The guilty plea by the owners has led to this case being resolved in a timely fashion and that is to be welcomed,” MNZ Director Keith Manch said. “The completion of this prosecution marks another step in the response to the grounding of the Rena. Daina Shipping Co. was charged under sections 338(1B) and 15B of the Resource Management Act 199, for being the owner of a ship from which harmful substances and/or contaminants were discharged into the coastal marine area.