The two men responsible for the grounding of the Rena cargo ship on Astrolabe Reef have been released from prison and deported back to the Philippines where they are likely to keep their jobs after serving half their sentence.
The ship's captain Mauro Balomaga, 44, and navigation officer Leonil Relon, 37, were released from Waikeria Prison this week serving three and a half months of the seven month sentenced for their part in the ship's grounding and subsequent oil spill.
SunLive asked residents what they thought about the release of the wrecked Rena's captain and navigation officer this week. Video by Tracy Hardy.
The captain's lawyer Paul Mabey QC says the men's families have been supported by their employer while they have been in jail and they both have jobs to return to.
In May the pair pleaded guilty to charges under the Resource Management Act, Maritime Transport Act and Crimes Act for operating a vessel in a manner likely to cause danger, discharging a contaminant and altering ship's documents.
They were sentenced to seven months jail.
As they were sentenced to less than two years jail time they were eligible for release after serving half their sentence.
The two were deported back to Manila on Thursday.
As the one year anniversary of the ship's grounding on October 5, 2011 nears SunLive asked Tauranga residents how they felt about the release of the wrecked ship's master and officer and the fact they may return to their jobs.
This is what residents had to say:
3 comments
Banned from NZ
Posted on 09-09-2012 12:22 | By SonnyJim
No passage EVER threw NZ waters whether as captain or crew.
PHILIPPINES
Posted on 09-09-2012 13:36 | By TERMITE
But it does not look at all like the Bangkok Hilton at all, one could say the boss did ok, the claims all settled with the NZ Government by the insurers, the ship was paid out on, and business as usual from now on. Certainly many in NZ got paid plenty while the gravy train was running, the figures on the pengins was a real shocker indeed, endless staff meals and drinks 24/7, no expense spared there for sure.
Rena Pair
Posted on 09-09-2012 16:37 | By J C Wilson
It is highly unlikely that Captain or Navigating Officer will ever command another vessel due to the fact that any company employing them would have massive insurance premiums to pay on any vessel they commanded
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