New Zealand oil spill ship captain charged

[alp227]

Source: Reuters

The captain of a container ship wedged on a reef off a popular New Zealand holiday spot appeared in court over its grounding on Wednesday, as more thick fuel-oil fouled beaches in the country's worst environmental disaster in decades.

The 47,230-tonne Liberian-flagged Rena has been stranded on a reef 12 nautical miles off Tauranga on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island since running aground a week ago.

The captain has been charged "for operating a vessel in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk", which carries a maximum fine of NZ$10,000 ($7,810) or 12 months in prison.

Local media reported the ship's master, a 44-year-old Philippine national, made a brief appearance in court and was bailed for one week, without making a plea. His name was suppressed.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/12/new-zealand-oil-spill-captain-charged

[denton11]

1. hi

jh

[scentopine]

2. I thought you couldn't hold anyone criminally responsible for oil spill, or is it just us law? -nt

[wickerwoman]

3. Not sure how it works with international law

(since its owned and operated by an Israeli company) but this article says he's being charged under s65 of the New Zealand Maritime Act for operating a vessel causing unneccessary danger or risk to property.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10758542

If it was a New Zealand company and the accident happened less than 12 nautical miles from the shore they probably could have gone after them for discharging contaminants without a consent which carries $600,000 fines for companies and up to 2 years in jail. Not sure how it will play out in the future but I hope they nail the bastards for every penny they can get.