STATESMAN

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Master of landing craft pleaded guilty to cause pain to cattle on board his ship

Dozens of cattle, including some that were crushed or dying of hypothermia, were left waiting for help from vets for more than six hours after a deadly Bass Strait crossing, a court has heard on Nov 21, 2022. The master John McGee pleaded guilty in a Tasmanian court to one count of using a method of management likely to result in unreasonable and unjustifiable pain and suffering over the 2016 voyage of the 'Statesman'. A total of 207 cattle were on board the landinc craft, which left Stanley in Tasmania's north-west in January 2016 for Port Welshpool in Victoria in bad weather. The court heard the weather conditions on the trip ended up being worse than forecast, with the cattle open to the elements, including thunderstorms and gale force winds during the voyage. Three large rogue waves, more than six metres high, smashed into the pens the cows were in. Ten of the cows died during the crossing and another 59 had to be euthanased at port. The Burnie Magistrates Court heard port authorities prevented the cattle from being unloaded until the situation was assessed by Victorian animal health authorities, which did not occur until more than six hours after the ship arrived. Crown prosecutor Madeleine Wilson said the delay "may have led to an increase in the number of cattle that had to be euthanased". The court was told the weather conditions made it too dangerous for crew to go onto the deck to help the animals. Some of the cattle were crushed to death beneath others, while others suffered from hypothermia. Ms Wilson said by making the decision to depart, the ship's master, Mr McGee, exposed the cattle to the impacts of the severe weather. The court heard Mr McGee was instructed to sail by the ship's owner Les Dick, who has since died, even though he raised concerns about the weather. Defence lawyer Peta Smith said she accepted Mr McGee had the final decision but there were "external pressures" from Mr Dick. The charge against Mr McGee is the only one left stemming from the incident, with charges dropped against several other co-accused. He will be sentenced in January.

Landing craft ran aground near Stanley

Crew and cattle have been rescued from the "Statesman" after she ran aground near Stanley in Tasmania's north-west in the morning of Sep 2, 2017, at 3 p.m. Authorities were called after receiving a report the "Statesman" had run aground on the North Point Reef off Stanley enroute from Tasmania to King Island. An electronic fault in her navigation gear meant that she veered off course. The landing craft was taking on water, but the damage seemed minimal. The Burnie-based tug left as soon as the call went out and refloated the vessel seven hours later. It arrived at Stanley around midnight. As the weather changed for the worse within 30 minutes after the rescue, the crew was lucky. There was some damage to the rudders and propellers. She was to get back in the water and repaired as soon as possible. EPA said DPIPWE biosecurity officers checked all cattle aboard. The animals seemed to be in good health. Another freighter connecting King Island, the "Investigator II", actually was in dock with engine trouble so repairs had to be carried out as fast as possible. Marine and Safety Tasmania was investigating the accident.