ROLL OF DISHONOUR

Vessel Detained

2 NOV 2006

The Auckland Yacht Classique has been detained by Maritime NZ in Auckland for suspected illegal charter work involving live aboard voyages

UPDATE Nov 2008

it has been drawn to my attention that there is a posting  regarding  Classique on your Pirates site. Not only is your information incorrect , there was never any  detention  re chartering illegally, but the restraint by Maritime NZ regarding a Cat 1 requirement was removed Sept '08 having to do with a Cat 1 inspection of a yacht older than 10 years - drawing of a keel bolt & internal inspection of steel keel plating comprising an effluent tank.

A 12 mile limit was imposed, East Cape to Nth Cape until a subsequent haulout this year. Replacement of the keel was regarded as the best remedy. Attached is the letter notifying  of  Maritime NZ’s   release/compliance .

Signed - Mel Bolton

-o0o-

Skipper didn't have a licence

15 MAY 2006

The skipper of a Havelock-based water taxi that ran aground in October has been fined thousands of dollars for operating without a licence.

Clayton Lloyd Douglas carried out 27 commercial trips into the Marlborough Sounds in September and October last year without holding any maritime qualifications.

Douglas was fined $2800 and ordered to pay $1680 in costs by Judge Denys Barry in the Blenheim District Court on Friday for operating the water taxi business without holding a current Local Launch Operator's certificate (LLO).

Maritime New Zealand also charged him with causing unnecessary risk or danger to his five passengers when he ran aground on a small beach in Paradise Bay in the Sounds on October 19 last year.

Douglas ran aground after following the wrong global positioning system track on that night and ran into the beach. Nobody was seriously injured in the accident, although one passenger did suffer a bruised cheek.

Douglas claimed he lost his way in the darkness shortly before the accident.

He did not hold a current LLO certificate at that time, although he had unsuccessfully tried to obtain one earlier that month.

A person must have six months sea service and pass an examination to obtain a LLO certificate.

In November Douglas re-sat and passed the examination.

Maritime New Zealand director Russell Kilvington said Judge Barry's decision sent a "clear reminder" to all commercial operators about the need to comply with maritime rules.

"Holding an LLO certificate is equivalent to holding a motor vehicle licence - you don't jump behind the wheel of a car unless you have a licence and it's not different for commercial seafarers."

12 May 2006

We've been advised by our Blenheim agents that Mr Douglas was sentenced as follows by Judge Barry in Blenheim District Court this morning:

1. Section 65 MTA (persons) - Fine $650, Court costs $130, Solicitor costs $150

2. Section 65 MTA (property) - Fine $650, Court costs $130, Solicitor costs $150

3. On each of the four section 68 MTA charges - Fine $375 (ie $1,500 in total), Court costs $130 (ie $520 in total), Solicitor costs $150 (ie $600 in total)

Total fines and costs: Section 65 $1,860

Section 68 $2,620

$4,480

No additional penalty was imposed in relation to commercial gain, despite MNZ request that such a penalty be imposed.