P a problem for leading fishing firm

Photo / Martin Sykes

Illicit drug use on deep-sea fishing voyages has caused trouble for a leading New Zealand fishing firm, which sacked a man for allegedly giving P to young female crewmates out at sea.

Talley's fired deckhand Damien Burtton after drug dogs sniffed his bags and colleagues testified against him.

His friend, factory worker Karl Peter Browne, also left the company after drug allegations.

The pair took their case to the Employment Relations Authority claiming they had been unjustifiably dismissed.

The authority's documents say that in May, Mr Burtton's ship, the MVF Enterprise, was preparing to sail when a specialist drug-sniffing dog took an interest in his luggage.

Talley's suspended Mr Burtton and investigated further.

Witnesses said they had seen Mr Burtton using P while at sea and he had supplied it to young female crew.

Mr Browne was also suspended when a drug dog showed interest in his bags during the same search in May.

Mr Browne told Talley's he had quit taking drugs a year ago. But colleagues said he had continued to take drugs, an allegation Mr Browne denied.

At a meeting with his bosses, Mr Browne was given the opportunity to resign and, realising he would otherwise be fired, left the company.

Talley's said dealing with illicit drug use on its deep-sea vessels was a major challenge.

Last week, the ERA rejected both men's applications for interim reinstatement or monetary relief while its proceedings took place.

The authority's decision said the "evident dishonesty" of the men when questioned by Talley's had counted against them.

Mr Burtton initially denied he was an acquaintance of Mr Browne, but his phone had Mr Browne listed under a nickname - one which the authority said supported the view that Mr Browne was a drug user.

The authority said inconsistencies in sworn affidavits gave credence to Talley's assessment of Mr Browne as "fundamentally untrustworthy" as it tried to address drug use at sea.