The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) reports of an incident concerning the owner of the MV Wallaroo, who was convicted of hindering a Commonwealth public official in Cairns Magistrate Court on Tuesday, 13 October.
According to AMSA, the owner was found guilty, with a conviction recorded on his criminal record for the next ten years and fined $750 for hindering an inspector from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
The inspector was doing his job, ensuring maritime safety by detaining the Wallaroo. The inspection of Wallaroo in Brisbane revealed serious deficiencies with watertight hatches, defunct firefighting equipment and no life raft on the vessel.
The owner intended on using the vessel to transfer shipping containers from Cairns to Papua New Guinea under a commercial arrangement.
However, the owner was detained under the Navigation Act for unseaworthiness, in light of the safety of the people working on board the boat and for the protection of the marine environment.
In addition, AMSA notes that during the detention the owner and engaged in an expletive laden tirade forcing the inspector off the vessel. He also hindered him in the course of his duties.
General Manager of Operations Allan Schwartz stated that
Our inspectors work every day to make the seas a safer place to work and to protect Australia’s precious marine environments from the impacts of shipping and unseaworthy vessels like Wallaroo.
