Ships breaking Poor Knights islands ban

Some ships are ignoring a ban on sailing inside the Poor Knights Islands off Northland's east coast, days after the ban came into force.

The Maritime Safety Authority last week warned cargo ship, Maerske Sealand, after it was caught within the shore side of the Poor Knights on January 8.

A photograph of a second vessel in the area was taken by a Tutukaka coast resident on January 9 and the authority is still trying to find out its name.

The Poor Knights Islands were declared a mandatory area to be avoided from December 1, by the International Maritime Organisation.

However, the authority was unable to enforce the law until December 30 because of a "legal process".

The ban requires all ships more than 45 metres long to stay at least five nautical miles to the east of the Poor Knights.

But two people saw Maerske Sealand within the area on January 8.

Authority deputy director Peter Williams said the organisation would follow up any complaints about large vessels breaching the ban and urged anybody who saw such a breach to contact the authority.

While breaching the ban could cost violators a fine of up to $30,000, the MSA had given a warning to the Maerske Sealand because the ban was new, he added.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)