The captain and navigation officer of container ship Rena will this morning be sentenced for their role in New Zealand's worst environmental maritime disaster.
The ship struck the Astrolabe Reef in the Bay of Plenty last October, spewing cargo and oil along the coastline.
Both the captain and navigation officer have pleaded guilty to a charge under section 65 of the Maritime Transport Act in relation to operating a ship in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk to persons or property.
The captain has also admitted a charge under the Resource Management Act of being the master of a ship from which harmful substances or contaminants were discharged into the coastal marine area, and also to four charges under the Crimes Act of wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The navigation officer has also pleaded guilty to three similar charges, which relate to altering ship documents after the grounding.
He is yet to answer a charge under the Resource Management Act relating to the discharge of harmful substances and/or contaminants. His lawyer has confirmed the officer intends to plead guilty.
Both men would appear in Tauranga District Court this morning.
Each charge under the Crimes Act carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison, the Maritime Transport Act charges have a maximum fine of $10,000 or 12 months in prison and the Resource Management Act charges carry a maximum $300,000 fine or two years in prison and $10,000 for every day the offending continues.
Bad weather and stormy seas have gradually smashed Rena to pieces since it ran aground on October 5 last year.
