all charges against them.
Maritime NZ director Keith Manch said, "In this case, the master and the second officer have breached the most basic fundamental principles of safe navigation. If there is a need to deviate from a prepared passage plan, the alterations must be plotted and the new projected path carefully assessed to ensure all potential navigational hazards are identified." Manch said during the course of the Maritime NZ investigation, both officers admitted making alterations after the grounding to the ship's GPS log, its passage plan and its computer to mislead investigating authorities. "This offending is also very serious in that it caused genuine confusion for investigators trying to piece together the events that led to the grounding. It is vital that when these types of events do take place, we can find out how and why they have happened to help prevent such an event happening again." Manch said Maritime NZ welcomed the sentencing, which held the two officers to account for their failures in relation to the incident. "This grounding has had significant consequences for the Bay of Plenty community and the country as a whole. Today marks a milestone in the response, which is still underway." In a separate prosecution, Maritime NZ has also laid a charge under the RMA against the owner of Rena, Daina Shipping Co. The case was adjourned without plea until July 18.
Charges: The master, Mauro Balomaga, and the ship's second officer (Navigation), Leonil Relon, pleaded guilty to a number of offences following the ship's grounding. Mauro Balomaga, the ship's master: • One charge under section 65 of the Maritime Transport Act (MTA) 1994, "for operating a vessel in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk".
• One charge under section 338 (1B) and (15B) of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) relating to the "discharge of harmful substances from ships or offshore installations".
• Four charges under S117(e) & 66 of the Crimes Act, that he "wilfully attempted to pervert the course of justice" by altering ship's documents subsequent to the grounding.
Leonil Relon, the ship's second officer (Navigation): • One charge under section 65 of the Maritime Transport Act (MTA) 1994, "for operating a vessel in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk".
• One charge under section 338 (1B) and (15B) of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) relating to the "discharge of harmful substances from ships or offshore installations".
• Three charges under S117(e) & 66 of the Crimes Act, that he "wilfully attempted to pervert the course of justice" by altering ship's documents subsequent to the grounding.
MUM'S ADVICE PAYS DIVIDEND FOR RESCUED TRAMPER
A 21 year old Auckland tramper suffering from hypothermia has been rescued in the Nelson region after setting off the emergency locator beacon his mother insisted he carry. The signal was received by the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand on Sunday May 27. The Rescue Coordination Centre directed a helicopter from Garden City Helicopters, with a paramedic onboard, to Granity Pass Hutt near Mt Owen, and the man and his male companion were picked up at approximately 5.15pm and flown to Nelson. The man told rescuers his mother had insisted he buy the beacon and it was the first major trip he had taken since buying the equipment. He had developed symptoms of hypothermia after falling in a river.
July/August 2012 Professional Skipper 63
VIP.S88
