Two fishermen who had to jump for their lives as an unattended launch bore down on them in the Hauraki Gulf will receive $2000 each for the trauma.
The men were forced to leap into the water after the skipper of the fast-moving 11m vessel put it on autopilotso he could urinate off the back of his boat.
Denis Arthur Richardson last week admitted in the North Shore District Court that he had operated his launch Perfection 3 in a manner causing unnecessary risk or danger to other persons and to property.
In the Auckland District Court yesterday Judge Barbara Morris fined the Henderson real estate agent $2000 on each charge.
She directed that the total $4000 fine be shared by the fishermen for the trauma they had suffered.
Early on January 4 Richardson left Tiritiri Matangi Island bound for Little Barrier Island.
Shortly after he left the wheel his launch hit the 5m runabout Miss Snippy, anchored at Flat Rock.
The boat's radar had been set at too low a range to give a warning.
Judge Morris said that although Richardson had been confident there was no risk he should have got someone to take over the helm or stop the boat while he urinated.
"The risk could have been eliminated with ease."
If Richardson had remained at the helm he would have seen the two frantic men jumping up and down and yelling.
There had been a real chance of injury, if not death, to the men, she said.
"These men obviously have suffered a significant emotional trauma and one lost his boat."
Judge Morris accepted Richardson was remorseful and had a previously unblemished maritime record of 23 years.
A spokesman for the Maritime Safety Authority, Tony Legg, said he hoped the fine would help prevent similar incidents.
