{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman{\*\falt Times New Roman};} {\f36\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f37\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f39\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek{\*\falt Times New Roman};} {\f40\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f41\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew){\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f42\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic){\*\falt Times New Roman};} {\f43\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f44\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese){\*\falt Times New Roman};}}{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green255\blue255; \red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0;\red128\green128\blue0; \red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 Normal;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\*\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\trcbpat1\trcfpat1\tblind0\tblindtype3\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid1005339\rsid3884629\rsid5454177\rsid5470094\rsid6898627 \rsid8138852\rsid10182463\rsid10233540\rsid10381244\rsid10564462}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6818;}{\info{\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE COOK ISLANDS}{\operator Teniau_D}{\creatim\yr2007\mo10\dy9\hr13\min21}{\revtim\yr2008\mo1\dy11\hr8\min22} {\version3}{\edmins39}{\nofpages2}{\nofwords544}{\nofchars3107}{\nofcharsws3644}{\vern16393}{\*\password 00000000}}{\*\xmlnstbl }\paperw11904\paperh16834\margl1440\margr1440\margt1440\margb1440\gutter0 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\subfontbysize\formshade\horzdoc\dghspace120\dgvspace120\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow0\dgvshow3 \jcompress\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\nolnhtadjtbl\rsidroot6898627 \fet0{\*\wgrffmtfilter 013f}\sectd \linex0\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2 \pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6 \pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3884629 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10233540 IN THE HIG}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10233540 H COURT OF THE COOK ISLANDS}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10233540 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10233540 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10233540 HELD AT RAROTONGA}{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10564462\charrsid10564462 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10381244 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10233540 (CRIMINAL DIVISION)}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10233540 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10381244 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10233540 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10381244 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10233540 CR NO. 288/97 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10182463 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10564462 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10381244 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10564462 VAITOTI}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10564462 TUPA \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10182463 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10564462 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10381244 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10564462\charrsid10564462 v}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10564462 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10182463 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10564462 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10381244 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10564462 WAISALE RAVUSO}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10564462 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10182463 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10564462 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10381244 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10233540 CR NO. 290/97 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10182463 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10233540 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10381244 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10564462 VAITOTI}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10564462 TUPA \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10182463 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10564462 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10381244 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10564462\charrsid10564462 v}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10564462 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10182463 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10233540 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10381244 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10564462 TAIO SHIPPING SERVICES LIMITED}{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10564462 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10182463 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10564462 \par Mrs M Tairea for Informant. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10233540 Mr}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10564462 T Arnold for Defendant. \par \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10233540 Date of Hearing:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10233540 21 August 1997 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10233540 Date of Judgment}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10233540 : 21 August 1997 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10564462 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10381244 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10564462 JUDGMENT OF QUI}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5454177 L}{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10564462 LIAM CJ \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10182463 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10381244\charrsid10564462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10564462 This is the first prosecution in this country concerning the escape of oil in territorial waters. As there have been no previous incidents of an offence of this nature in this country, it is necessary to say something for the guidan ce of future occasions. It must be said at once, that experience all around the world has demonstrated that there is a very heavy responsibility upon those who operate ships in territorial waters to ensure that there is no discharge of oil,}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5470094\charrsid10564462 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10564462 because of cour se, of the potentially very serious consequences which can follow. So it is, that in other jurisdictions, instances of this offence have been met with very heavy fines. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5470094\charrsid10564462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10564462 In the present case the legislation provides for a maximum fine of $200,000 in the cas e of a corporation and a continuing fine of $25,000 a day and in the case of an individual, a fine of $20,000 and a continuing fine of $250. That in itself demonstrates the }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5470094\charrsid10564462 seriousness }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10564462 of the matter. In the present case, because of the lack of experience i n such matters, it was thought appropriate to prosecute both the company which operates the ship and the engineer whose individual responsibility it was. I do not think that there is any good purpose to be served by there being two prosecutions for the si ngle incident, and this is now accepted on behalf of the informant and there is no difference between counsel upon it, and I think the proper course is that they should discharge the engineer, Ravuso without conviction. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5470094\charrsid10564462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10564462 The real question concerns the responsibility of the company which operates the shi}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1005339\charrsid10564462 p in territorial waters. In the }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10564462 present case there are some particular circumstances which I think must be taken into account: \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10564462\charrsid10564462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10564462 First, what was discharged was diesel which is a light oil and significantly diff erent from the heavy oil which has caused so much damage upon being discharged in other countries. Second, there is little doubt that, what happened was a matter of inadvertence with no appearance of gross negligence. The ship was new to the company and, w hat caused the discharge was something which arose out of a lack of adequate knowledge of the characteristics of the ship. That in itself is not a major factor because of course there was a real obligation on the company to make sure of what was necessary in any cases of this kind. It is not known whether there was any real damage to the environment arising out of this because the oil drifted out to sea, fortunately, very quickly. One cannot exclude the possibility that, there was some damage but it is to be hoped that this was not to any major extent. I think that it is possible in this case to impose a much lighter sentence than would normally be the case but in doing so, it is necessary to emphasize the very serious nature of a}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5470094\charrsid10564462 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10564462 matter such as this. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5470094\charrsid10564462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10182463\charrsid10564462 This case must serve as a warning to future users of the harbour here, and the level of the fine must not be taken as an indication that an incident of this sort can be lightly dismissed. I am not prepared to impose a token fine at all but I think that it must be an indication to people that there can be substantial penalties involved and in a worse case, the amount would be expected to increase significantly. Accordingly, the company will be convicted and fined $1,000 and ordered to pay Court costs of $50 . \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5470094 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5470094\charrsid10564462 CHIEF JUSTICE \par }}