Skippers in Quickcat collision face charges

Skippers of both vessels involved in a tragic collision near Waiheke Island in January are facing charges under the Maritime Transport Act and the Maritime (Offences) Regulations.

Seven family members, including 74-year-old Gisborne grandmother Moira Newman, were injured on a fishing trip on January 4 when the charter boat Doctor Hook was struck by the Waiheke-bound Fullers ferry Quickcat.

Mrs Newman died three weeks later in hospital.

The collision, in the Motuihe Channel, was investigated by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission.

In the Auckland District Court yesterday, Wayne Williams (skipper of the Quickcat) and Bruce Newbury (skipper of Doctor Hook) each faced four charges in common.

These included operating a vessel in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk to other persons or property, failure to keep a proper lookout and failure to use all appropriate means to determine if the risk of a collision existed.

Newbury was also charged with failure to take appropriate action to avoid a collision and Williams was charged with failure to keep out of the way of a vessel he was overtaking.

Newbury pleaded not guilty and elected trial by jury and Williams entered no plea.

Both cases were adjourned until next month.