Sealord must pay $195,000 to family

The family of a man who died after getting trapped in a machine on a Sealord fishing boat have praised the company for its support and quick work rectifying safety faults.

Sealord has been ordered to pay $195,000 to the family of Hugh Hope, who died on September 6 when he was trapped in the blades of a fishmeal cooking machine he was cleaning.

Yesterday, Mr Hope's 29-year-old son, Hugh Hope Jnr, welcomed the penalty, but had nothing but praise for Sealord for its support and quick work rectifying the deficiencies.

Sealord chief executive Doug McKay said supporting the family was "the least" the company could do. "We accept the judge's decision and accept our responsibility."

Sealord pleaded guilty at Nelson District Court yesterday on two health and safety charges arising from the death of the 58-year-old Nelson man.

The accident occurred as Sealord fishing boat Aoraki was operating 550km south of Bluff.

The company was ordered to pay $195,000 reparation to the family, and was fined $10,000.

A Maritime Safety Authority investigation found Sealord had not taken all reasonable steps to prevent the accident occurring, and had not provided adequate supervision.

The company should have erected a steel platform for crew to stand on while cleaning the cooker and installed emergency stop buttons.

Authority deputy director Bruce Maroc said the accident needed to send a message to other employers that they must provide a safe environment for their employees.

Sealord was convicted of failing to take all practicable steps to ensure safety, and for failing to ensure employees were adequately trained or supervised, under the Health and Safety in Employment Act.

- NZPA