A recreational boat skipper has been ordered to pay around $131,200 after admitting responsibility for a collision in the Bay of Islands last year.
James Thomson was the skipper of 9.8 metre powerboat Onepoto when it collided with the Waitere ferry near Russell on April 13 2023.
The bow of the Onepoto penetrated the Waitere’s wheelhouse, causing serious injuries to the ferry’s skipper. Some of the 19 passengers also on board suffered “less serious injuries”, Maritime NZ said, and at least one of the passengers went overboard.
The collision caused “serious damage” to the Waitere ferry.
Thomson said he was distracted by an engine alarm that was sounding near the helm and failed to see the Waitere approaching on his starboard side. Maritime NZ said Thomson was “travelling in open waters at around 20.5 knots at the time”.
It said that, after the collision, “Thomson took steps to assist, including radioing emergency services and retrieving one of the ferry passengers who went overboard”.
“He cooperated with Maritime NZ’s investigation and pleaded guilty to one charge under the Maritime Transport Act 1994 for operating the Onepoto in a manner that caused unnecessary danger.”
He pleaded guilty in the Auckland District Court on June 17 and appeared again on July 2 for a sentencing hearing, where the decision was reserved.
In the decision released on Tuesday, Thomson was ordered to pay a total of $131,200 to victims of the incident — made up of emotional harm reparation totalling $128,000 and a consequential loss reparation of $3200.
Maritime NZ manager of general regulatory operations in the Far North, Jason Lunjevich, said this was a serious incident that didn’t have to happen.
“Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the skipper of the Waitere and his loved ones, and to other victims affected by this incident.
“This incident and the injuries sustained from it could have been avoided.”
Lunjevich said Thomson expressed remorse and accepted responsibility for the incident by cooperating with the investigation and pleading guilty at the first opportunity.