Rena vessel owner charged

Greece’s Daina Shipping Co, part of Costamare Inc, is the registered owner of Rena and has been charged under section 338 (1B) and 15 (B) of the Resource Management Act 1991 which relates to the “discharge of harmful substances from ships.”

The charge carries a maximum fine of NZ$600,000 and $10,000 for every day the offence continues – so this could mount up to a huge sum of money for the operator.

The prosecution follows the guilty pleas on 29 February by Rena’s Master and Second Officer following charges laid down by MNZ last year. The two men are scheduled to appear before the Tauranga District Court on 25 May.

MNZ has refused to make further comment whilst the matter is before the courts. Costamare Inc also refused to comment on the issue.

Meanwhile, salvage efforts continue and cleanup teams are still deployed at points along the Bay of Plenty coast to collect debris and assess how much continues to come ashore.