ORIENT EXPLORER

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ORIENT EXPLORER 8409020

A boat skipper facing charges in relation to his protest action against Petrobas has had his case adjourned until later in May. The man from Opotiki faces charges of operating a vessel in an unsafe manner and resisting arrest. He had the matter administratively deferred in Tauranga District until May 27. The two-week adjournment was granted as he recently obtained new legal counsel. The captain of the "San Pietro" was arrested on April 23 amid protests against Petrobas on the East Cape. He allegedly breached section 65 of the Maritime Transport Act, namely that he operated the vessel in a manner which caused unnecessary risk to the oil-drilling survey ship "Orient Explorer" by breaching the exclusion zone around it.

ORIENT EXPLORER 8409020

Ōpōtiki: Petrobras’ announcement today that its oil survey ship has left the Raukūmara Basin has opponents satisfied that protests on land and at sea have sent a loud, clear message to the oil industry that New Zealanders do not want deep sea oil drilling. Navy ships with police have acted like private security for the Brazilian oil giant as they protected oil survey ship Orient Explorer from protests for over three weeks. Petrobras’ permit to survey was for 45 - 60 days – but only 32 days were used overall the including days that protests and bad weather prevented surveying during that time. Read more http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00110/petrobras-oil-survey-ship-leaves-raukumara-basin.htm

ORIENT EXPLORER 8409020

New Zealand Police can confirm a charge has been laid against a man in relation to yesterday's incident involving one of the protest boats off the East Cape. Four protest boats had positioned themselves in a line ahead of the survey ship Orient Explorer. After warnings from Police three of the boats moved away but a fourth remained. The boat deployed buoys and long line fishing lines in the path of the survey ship, causing grave safety concerns for its master. The boat continued to ignore further warnings and as a consequence was boarded by Police.The man is charged with operating a vessel in an unsafe manner under s65 of the Maritime Transport Act. He was released on bail last night and will appear in court in Tauranga on Friday. Police say they are still reviewing the evidence from yesterday's events and are not discounting laying further charges. Maximum penalty is term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months or fine not exceeding $10,000.