The Asl-Rose: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

A significant settlement of $175,000 stemming from the collision between the 'Rose Harmony' and the fishing vessel 'Leila Jo', which took place in Lyttelton on January 12, 2022, is set to be allocated towards improved watchkeeping training. This unfortunate incident resulted in injuries among several crew members. Chris Anderson, the helmsman of the 'Leila Jo', faced penalties for leaving the bridge of his vessel unattended. Although charges were initially brought against Pegasus Fishing and its director, Antony Threadwell, they were dismissed following the settlement with Maritime New Zealand. The funds from this settlement will specifically support watchkeeping training at the Westport deep sea fishing school, as well as online training resources. In addition to the settlement, Pegasus Fishing has made further financial commitments, including $15,000 in reparations for the crew of the 'Leila Jo', and a total of $24,000 to enhance training for some of its crew members and skippers. The company has also invested $8,000 in new communication systems and $18,300 in updated radar equipment for their fleet. Furthermore, Pegasus Fishing plans to contribute vessels and crew for rescue helicopter training exercises and will donate $30,000 to the Sumner Coastguard for new operational equipment. According to an earlier report by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission, both crews share responsibility for the collision, as both helmsmen were aware of each other yet failed to alter their courses to prevent the accident, demonstrating low situational awareness. Distractions on the 'Rose Harmony's bridge also contributed to the incident. As a consequence, the master of the 'Rose Harmony' received a $2,600 fine. The commission has made recommendations for Pegasus Fishing to enhance its training programs for deckhands, as well as for Maritime New Zealand to re-evaluate the effectiveness of existing watchkeeping training courses in their audits of fishing vessel safety systems.

Chris Anderson, helmsman of the fishing vessel 'Leila Jo', faced the Christchurch District Court on June 9, 2022, after a collision with the 'Rose Harmony' on January 12, 2022. The incident, which occurred in Lyttelton Harbour, resulted in significant consequences, including a $175,000 enforcement undertaking and injuries to crew members involved. The operator of 'Leila Jo', Pegasus Fishing Ltd., entered into the enforcement undertaking, with its director Antony Threadwell assuming responsibility, leading to charges being dropped against the company. However, due to his limited financial means, Anderson was unable to engage in a similar agreement. Judge Kevin Phillips ultimately imposed a fine of $1,500 on Anderson and mandated an additional payment of $2,000 to compensate for the emotional distress caused to the injured crew members. Anderson had previously admitted guilt for abandoning the ship's bridge at a critical time when a collision with another vessel was imminent and failing to recognize the 'Rose Harmony' as a nearby threat. Instead of utilizing the intercom system to alert the skipper, he physically woke him in the cabin, even taking a moment to visit the kitchen. By the time he returned to the bridge, the situation had escalated to the point of imminent collision. The bulk carrier, bound for Dunedin with charterer passengers on board, was on a collision course with the 'Leila Jo', which was returning to Lyttelton after a two-day fishing excursion. Reports from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission revealed both vessels were aware of each other's positions but failed to take evasive action. The skipper of 'Leila Jo' heard the bulk carrier's horn just before impact, suffering bruises and rib pain as a result of the incident. Emotional distress impacted some of the crew, notably one individual who had lost a family member in a prior boating accident, leading to heightened anxiety. Another crew member sustained physical injuries when he was thrown against the side of the vessel while climbing a ladder during the collision. Maritime New Zealand noted that Anderson bore the greatest responsibility among the crew of both vessels for the incident.

A significant incident occurred involving the New Zealand-flagged fishing vessel 'Leila Jo' (MMSI: 512448000) when a crew member was charged for neglecting to maintain proper watch on the bridge prior to a collision with the bulk carrier 'Rose Harmony' near Lyttelton Heads. Christopher Anderson, who has dedicated 12 years to the fishing company, has accepted responsibility for breaching the Maritime Transport Act by causing unnecessary danger to both vessels involved in the incident on January 12, 2020. In a recent session at the Christchurch District Court, presided over by Judge Quentin Hix, Anderson was remanded for sentencing, scheduled for March 2, without the necessity for additional reports. The defence attorney, Jeff McCall, alongside representatives from Maritime New Zealand, reached a consensus that a monetary fine would suffice for the infraction. Meanwhile, other individuals implicated in the collision are also facing legal repercussions, though they have yet to enter pleas. Their cases are slated for a review hearing in February. It is worth noting that while these individuals do not have name suppression, Judge Hix has mandated their identities remain undisclosed in this report. The 'Leila Jo' was in the process of returning to Lyttelton after a two-day fishing expedition when the incident unfolded. Conditions on the night of the collision were clear, with minimal winds and calm seas. The bulk carrier, departing from port, detected the 'Leila Jo' on radar at a distance of three nautical miles and executed two course changes as the vessels drew closer. Unfortunately, during this time, the 'Leila Jo' failed to take any evasive action. Just 0.07 nautical miles from collision, the bulk carrier sounded its horn to alert the fishing vessel, but the manoeuvre came too late to avert the crash.