A fishing boat crewman who had left the bridge unattended when the vessel collided with a bulk carrier off Lyttelton, New Zealand in early 2020, has pleaded guilty to charges that he left the wheelhouse unattended.
The seafarer admitted the charge of causing unnecessary danger or risk to the Leila Jo fishing boat, and the bulk carrier, and the people on board.
Christchurch District Court Judge Quentin Hix remanded him for sentencing on March 2, but did not call for any reports. Defence counsel and Maritime New Zealand have agreed that only a fine is needed.
Other parties involved in the collision also face charges but have not yet entered pleas and their cases have been remanded to a case review hearing in February.
The Leila Jo was returning to Lyttelton from a two-day long fishing trip when the collision occurred. It was a clear night with minimal wind and calm seas.
The bulk carrier was leaving port when it acquired the Leila Jo on its radar at a distance of 3 nautical miles. The bulk carrier made two course alterations as the vessels approached.
During that time, the Leila Jo did not take action to avoid the collision. At 0.07 nautical miles, the bulk carrier sounded its horn to attract the fishing vessel’s attention and made the second of the turns, but it was too late to avoid the collision.
The crewman of the fishing vessel had left the bridge to go to the kitchen to make some food and then wake the skipper. No-one was on the bridge while he was away.
The skipper was returning to the wheelhouse when he heard the bulk carrier sound its horn and saw the vessel ahead.
The Leila Jo struck the bulk carrier on its port side.
