O B I T U A RI E S
RONI MISA
MARCH 19, 1943 ��� SEPTEMBER 13, 2012
MASTER OF THE TRAWL
BY BADEN PASCOE
N
Y
ou may recall my two-part story on Roni in issues 85
and 86. Roni had a long battle with motor neurone
disease and he passed away on the September 13, 2012.
He certainly left behind a legacy in the art of trawling and
the development of trawling technology to suit New Zealand
conditions. I made a number of visits to Roni���s family home at
Balmoral, Auckland, and I appreciate the time he gave to tell me
his story. Often this was not easy for him due to his health, but
he would endure discomfort for the sake of sharing his lifetime
love of fishing and seafaring.
On behalf of Professional Skipper and our readers, we say
thank you to the Misa family for your hospitality.
CAPTAIN JOHN LEONARD LEE-RICHARDS
MARCH 7, 1948 ��� NOVEMBER 16, 2012
A PROFESSIONAL MARINER
BY CAPTAIN ALEX VAN WIJNGAARDEN
I
t is with sadness that the sudden death of John was received.
John started his maritime career at the age of 17, when
he joined the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand
Ltd as an Apprenticed Cadet in 1966. After qualifying with a
2nd Mate���s Certificate he joined Shell Tankers (UK) Ltd and
then finished his time at sea with the Coastal Tankers Ltd in
New Zealand. Coming ashore with a Foreign Going Master���s
Certificate he joined the Northland Harbour
8 Professional Skipper January/February 2013
Board in New Zealand in 1978 and commenced operating
conventional and Voith Water Tractor Tugs. During this time
he assisted Voith with the training of tug masters in various
locations around the world, a role he continued and enjoyed
on a part time basis when time allowed. Following a period
as port Marketing Manager and Stevedoring Manager in
Northland, John moved on to become Deputy Harbour Master
in Northland in 1992.
When he left the Northland Regional Council, John took up
the position of General Manager of New Zealand���s Oil Spill
Response unit, based at Te Atatu in Auckland, within what was
then known as the Maritime Safety Authority of New Zealand.
During this time John headed the response to the grounding of
the Jodi F Millenium.
John spent the period between 2004 and 2011 as Harbour
Master, Auckland, retiring from that role with the start of the
Auckland City Council. Following his departure, John spent
several months back at the Northland Port Corporation before
retiring to prepare his yacht Raj for a voyage to the islands with
his partner Sue.
It was on the passage from Opua to Marsden Cove that John
collapsed and passed away.
He was a man amongst men and as one of his colleagues said:
���John had the ability to forge close links with a large number of
people even with different national characteristics. He was held
in high esteem as an expert and as a person by all who knew him
and those that worked with him.���
For John, eight bells has struck, it is the end of his watch.
Rest in peace my friend.
