21 Aug 13 - 15:37
Maritime New Zealand charges vessel operator
Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) issued a media release according to which three charges have been laid against a vessel operator. This followed after an investigation into alleged illegal dumping of oil into the sea of New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone from the Korean foreign charter fishing vessel Pacinui.
The company is charged with illegal discharge of a harmful substance – oil – from the vessel (under s237 of the Maritime Transport Act), failing to notify MNZ of the discharge (s238), and failure to notify a pollution incident (s239).
The discharge of a harmful substance charge carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment or a fine of $200,000.
The two other charges each carry a maximum fine of $100,000, and for a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding $20,000 per day or part day the offence is committed.
The charges follow an extensive investigation since January 2013 by MNZ investigators, including examination of the ship in Timaru, gathering of photographic and video evidence, forensic examination of samples, and interviews with a number of Indonesian crew members.
Crew members will be available to appear as witnesses in the case, if required.The case is due to be called for the first time in Timaru District Court on 26 August, 2013.
MZN noted that as the matter is before the courts,it is unable to comment further on the detail of the case.
