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Serious collision on Waikato River

Author
Lesley Deverall,
Publish Date
Tue, 23 Dec 2014, 12:11PM
A serious collision on the Waikato River has seen a waka ama crew skipper issued a formal warning (Photo: NZ Herald)
A serious collision on the Waikato River has seen a waka ama crew skipper issued a formal warning (Photo: NZ Herald)

Serious collision on Waikato River

Author
Lesley Deverall,
Publish Date
Tue, 23 Dec 2014, 12:11PM

A serious collision on the Waikato River has seen a waka ama crew skipper issued a formal warning.

The waka was travelling on the wrong side of the river when it collided with a two-person rowing skiff near Hamilton's Fairfield Bridge in July.

The crew had to rescue the two rowers from the water - one is still recovering from serious injuries sustained in the accident.

Maritime services manager Nicole Botherway says the investigation found the accident happened because the waka was on the wrong side of the river.

"They said that they didn't know that they should be on the right hand side. They thought it was like the road, which is actually quite alarming, because he's been in involved in wakarama for about 20 years."

Ms Botherway says the consequences for such an incident vary depending on the seriousness.

"If they were prosecuted under the Maritime Transport Act under Section 65 then it would be a maximum penalty of $10,000 or 12 months in prison."

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