What Crew Members Say About Bosphorus-S

In a recent development at Port Taranaki, a $150,000 bond has been successfully posted, enabling the crew members of the 'Lake Triview' to set sail. The vessel's crew, including the master Rolando Legaspi, chief officer Romelito De Asis, and able seaman Mark Aldrin Galapo, were facing serious charges in connection with the vessel's grounding incident on May 25, which resulted in potential damage to the protected Waiwhakaiho Reef near New Plymouth. Authorities allege that the ship dragged its anchor, leading to a hole in its hull and disturbing the delicate marine environment. The charges were formally laid against the trio on June 18, citing potential adverse effects on the reef. Subsequently, the vessel's owner, Tri View Canada, and the operating company, Fairmont Shipping Ltd Canada, were charged on June 20 for breaching the Resource Management Act, allowing the grounding of their vessel, which is in violation of the region's coastal management plans. These offenses carry significant potential penalties, with maximum fines reaching $600,000 for the owner and operator, while the crew members face charges that could result in up to two years of imprisonment and fines of $300,000. During proceedings at the New Plymouth District Court on June 20, lawyer Andrew Laurenson, representing all parties, negotiated the terms under which the crew could be permitted to return to the vessel, scheduled to depart at 6 p.m. Following discussions with the Taranaki Regional Council, which did not oppose the crew's return to the ship, Judge Geoffrey Ellis remanded the men to reappear in court on August 7 for further proceedings. A plea from the defendants is anticipated at that time. Complicating matters, the judge indicated that he lacked the authority to rule on the surety application. However, a High Court judge, Justice Paul Heath, conducted a video hearing and ultimately approved the crew's departure on the condition that the bond of $150,000 be posted by 4 p.m. Meanwhile, the investigation into the grounding incident and its environmental impact on the Waiwhakaiho Reef is ongoing.

The captain and chief officer of the 'Lake Triview' are now confronting additional serious charges following a significant incident involving their vessel on Waiwhakaiho Reef that occurred on May 24. The maritime mishap resulted in 12 holes in the hull, leading to substantial water ingress. According to reports, Captain Rolando Legaspi, a 63-year-old Filipino national, was charged and has pleaded guilty to the failure of promptly notifying the Maritime Safety Authority in accordance with regulations. He was subsequently fined $2000, along with court fees. The incident attracted scrutiny from the Taranaki Regional Council, which led to an investigation that has now escalated into formal charges. Both Captain Legaspi and Chief Officer Romelito De Asis are facing four counts each under the Resource Management Act. These eight charges allege violations of section 12 and section 338, asserting that their actions led to the disturbance or damage of the seabed, potentially adversely affecting the protected Waiwhakaiho Reef ecosystem. The two are scheduled to appear in the New Plymouth District Court on June 20, where matters concerning bail will be considered. Meanwhile, the 'Lake Triview,' which was carrying a cargo of soya meal destined for Port Taranaki, remains detained at the port and will only be permitted to depart once all necessary repairs have been completed.

On June 10, 2014, Rolando Valmeo Legaspi, the 63-year-old Filipino master of the cargo vessel 'Lake Triview', faced legal repercussions in the New Plymouth District Court. He was fined a total of $2,130, which included a $2,000 penalty plus $130 in court fees, after admitting guilt to charges related to failing to notify Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) about a grounding incident that occurred on May 24, 2014. The charge, laid under Section 31 of the Maritime Transport Act, mandates that all maritime incidents be reported to MNZ as soon as possible. However, the agency was not made aware of the grounding until May 28, several days after the incident took place. This delay not only endangered the safety of the 21 crew members aboard but also posed a potential environmental risk. On the day of the incident, the 'Lake Triview', which was transporting a shipment of soybean meal, anchored roughly 2.1 nautical miles from the Port of New Plymouth. At around 5:30 p.m., the vessel's anchor began to drag, causing the ship to drift towards shore. The crew realized the issue by 8 p.m., at which point the captain attempted to raise the anchor. Unfortunately, a mechanical failure thwarted these efforts. While the Port of New Plymouth was urged to have two tugboats on standby, they were ultimately not deployed. Subsequently, at approximately 9:38 p.m., the 'Lake Triview' ran aground on a rocky reef, with the hull resting in about seven meters of water. Despite the vessel being grounded for approximately five minutes, it managed to free itself using its own engines. After the grounding incident, the harbor master informed MNZ, yet details regarding the grounding itself were not communicated until late on May 28. After the 'Lake Triview' docked on May 27, divers conducted an inspection and discovered about 12 breaches in the ballast tanks, a direct result of the grounding. Fortunately, no oil spill was reported, but the vessel remained detained at New Plymouth as arrangements for repairs were being made. This situation underscores the importance of timely incident reporting in the maritime industry.