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Port Nelson Fine Highlights Maritime Safety Issues

Port Nelson Fine Highlights Maritime Safety Issues

Scoop07-05-2025
The Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) says the $110,000 fine imposed on Port Nelson, following a stevedore's terrifying 12-metre fall from a container ship, shows the urgent need for stronger health and safety enforcement in New Zealand ports, and a crackdown on substandard foreign-flagged vessels.
The company was sentenced on 6 May at the Nelson District Court after earlier pleading guilty under the Health and Safety at Work Act to breaching its duty of care to ensure the health and safety of workers.
The incident, which occurred during the night of 16 January 2023 when a faulty guard rail gave way on the container ship Maersk Nansha, left an RMTU member with physical injuries and serious emotional trauma after plunging into the sea at night.
RMTU General Secretary Todd Valster says while the fine acknowledges a breach of duty by Port Nelson, the issue is a systemic one.
"This was a horrifying ordeal for our member that could have easily been fatal. It highlights a dangerous confluence of lax health and safety standards in ports and the unacceptable condition of some overseas ships," Mr. Valster says.
"The fact that known issues with the ship's guard rails were not adequately addressed is a serious indictment. Our members, and all port workers, have the right to go to work knowing they are safe. This incident demonstrates a clear failure in that fundamental duty of care."
Mr. Valster says the spotlight needs to go on the seaworthiness and safety of international vessels calling at New Zealand ports.
"For too long, we've seen a race to the bottom with some international shipping lines operating rust buckets with little regard for the safety of their own crews or port workers who work on these vessels. This incident, involving a major international shipping line, shows even well-known operators are not immune to serious safety failings on their ships."
Mr Valster says port companies and shipping operators must be held fully accountable for ensuring a safe working environment. This includes rigorous checks on the seaworthiness and safety compliance of all visiting vessels, proper training, and safe staffing levels.
"The RMTU will continue to advocate for the safety and wellbeing of all rail and port workers.'
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Christchurch man Shane Bell sentenced for years of sexual abuse and exploitation
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'I am angry with him, with what he did to me.' He said Bell's actions had made him feel insecure. 'I could not trust other men, I thought they would do the same. I think he should go to jail for a long time - other teenagers should not have to go through this.' Bell, 49, sat expressionless in the Christchurch District Court as the teen and his father, flanked by supporters, struggled to contain their emotions at times during the sentencing hearing. The boy's father said he had a lot of trust in Bell being around his son. 'I don't have any trust in him now after what he has done to my son. I don't even like talking about him, as it makes me angry, what [he did] to my son. 'It has made me mindful of who I allow around my other kids, as I don't want this to happen to any of them. It has become a very traumatic experience.' He added that the experience 'has made me closer to my son, which I am grateful for'. The boy's father said the abuse had taken a toll on his family as they had to deal with residual trauma. The court heard the victim was extremely vulnerable, with a head injury, and Bell had taken advantage of him. A pre-sentence report indicated Bell was at high risk of reoffending, with distorted thinking and no display of remorse. Alongside charges of sexual connection with a young person and indecent acts with a young person, Bell faced charges of possessing hundreds of objectionable publications and making an objectionable publication that involved the victim. He would look after the victim, who would often spend time at Bell's house and stay overnight. Over 18 months, he performed sex acts on the boy and told him not to tell anyone. The victim was too scared to reveal what was happening. The boy told Bell it was illegal and tried to get away from him once, but Bell held him down. The victim believed Bell had committed the sex acts on him about 50 times. Bell also supplied the boy with cannabis and alcohol. Bell came to the attention of Polish authorities via a cellphone that had received child exploitation material, and in early 2023 the information was passed on to New Zealand police, who executed a search warrant on his home, seizing several devices. More than 1000 files were found on his laptop and cellphone, images involving young boys in a variety of sexual acts and a large array of animals being sexually violated. Bell's web history showed more than 100 searches for child exploitation material and bestiality. Also on his phone were photographs and videos of Bell and the victim. Bell was jailed for six years and three months at the Christchurch District Court. Photo / George Heard Judge Gerard Lynch described the offending as deplorable, vile and degrading. The judge said Bell had told authorities that if the victim had been unhappy with the offending, he would not have visited his home. Bell's main concern while in custody was with the wellbeing of his cats, Judge Lynch said. Bell was at high risk without treatment, and it had been noted that an intensive sexual treatment programme would be vital. Judge Lynch did not accept Bell's apology and sentenced him to six years and three months' jail. Bell was also placed on the Child Sex Offenders Register as part of his sentencing. Al Williams is an Open Justice reporter for the New Zealand Herald, based in Christchurch. He has worked in daily and community titles in New Zealand and overseas for the past 16 years. Most recently, he was editor of the Hauraki-Coromandel Post, based in Whangamatā. He was previously deputy editor of the Cook Islands News.

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