Maritime Company to Pay $260,000 in Fines in Fatal Boat Accidents
A New Zealand company will pay fines amounting to more than $260,000 for a fishing boat accident that killed two workers.
On June 20, 2008, a six-meter fishing vessel, Shikari, was traveling at 23 knots. The speed limit in the area was 5 knots. The boat crashed into a Navy inshore patrol vessel. The skipper of the Shikari, Anton Perano, was killed in the boat accident along with fellow worker, Troy Climo. Other passengers in the Salmon boat were badly injured. One worker suffered multiple broken ribs, a torn aorta, and tendon injuries; and was in a coma for seven days. Another worker suffered fractured ribs and broken teeth.
According to a New Zealand maritime lawyer, Perano appeared to be texting just before the accident. He seems to have failed to see the other vessel that was moored in the bay, until it was too late to avoid a collision.
According to lawyers for New Zealand King Salmon, Perano was an experienced skipper who had traveled that particular route at least 5 times a week and thousands of times over the past 12 years. His normal route involved docking at the eastern side of the bay, but on the day of the tragedy, the boat was on its way to drop passengers on the western side.
New Zealand King Salmon faced four charges, including failure to take steps to ensure the safety of its workers. It was fined $60,000 for that violation and another $6,000 for being six days overdue on its Safe Ship Management Certificate. The company was also fined $3,000 for the fact that Perano had a Local Launch Operator Certificate that was 12 days overdue. Reparations of $60,000 each will be paid to the families of the deceased, while $20,000 will be paid to each of the survivors.
Jones Act Seamen
In the U.S., a Jones Act seaman who suffers injuries because of another maritime worker's negligence may be eligible for compensation from his employer. The maritime lawyers at Arnold & Itkin LLP represent victims injured in accidents involving cargo ships, cruise liners, towboats, commercial fishing vessels, offshore drilling platforms, and other Jones Act vessels.
