Skipper 'making tea' at time of fatal crash

A fatal sea collision in Golden Bay occurred as a fishing boat skipper was returning to the wheelhouse from making himself a cup of tea, the Nelson District Court has been told.

Tony Peter Phillipson, 29, has denied four negligence charges laid against him after the death of his Nelson crewman Michael Bowler.

Mr Bowler died when the fishing boat Alfred hit a barge and sank off Port Tarakohe on October 16, 2002.

Maritime Safety Authority lawyer Robert Stewart told the court the Alfred left Port Tarakohe at 4.55am with Phillipson at the helm.

While motoring out into Golden Bay, Phillipson saw a white light ahead but assumed it was the rear light of another fishing vessel.

He left the wheelhouse to make a cup of tea and was returning when the Alfred slammed into the port side of the 85m barge.

Phillipson broadcast a mayday call, saying the Alfred was rapidly filling with water. A second call was abandoned when he had to escape the rising water through a wheelhouse window.

"Mr Bowler told the defendant his leg was trapped," Mr Stewart said. "Attempts to free Mr Bowler were unfortunately unsuccessful and he was dragged down by the vessel."

He said Phillipson had failed to keep a proper watch and did not display the standards of a "reasonably competent skipper" in the safe operation of a commercial vessel.

David Dabinett, skipper of the Silver Foam, told the court he went to help the Alfred after hearing a mayday call. By the time he arrived on the scene the Alfred was upside down with the crew clinging to the wreckage.

Seatow barge and tug master Gavin MacKenzie said the Tarakohe harbour manager had given permission for the barge to be anchored in its usual position.

- NZPA