KEY POINTS:
A Bluebridge ferrymaster admitted to Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) that the Santa Regina ferry came "uncomfortably close" to rocks at Tory Channel in June 2005, Wellington District Court was told today.
David William Birchall, 50, of Palmerston North, has pleaded not guilty to three charges laid by MNZ after the ferry came within metres of hitting rocks on a crossing from Picton to Wellington.
He has been charged under the Maritime Transport Act with operating the ferry in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk to property, causing unnecessary danger or risk to other people and failing to notify MNZ of the incident as soon as practicable.
The ferry had 32 crew and 57 passengers on board at the time. There was no damage to the vessel and MNZ was not told of the incident until four days later, the court was told.
MNZ lawyer Adam Hopkinson alleged Birchall had allowed the ferry to deviate from its passage plan to the point where it almost grounded on the rocks at East Head in the Tory Channel.
When interviewed, Birchall said he had lost "situational awareness" and was not aware how close the ferry was to the rocks.
The case is continuing.
- NZPA
