The captain and navigation officer of container ship Rena have each been jailed for seven months.
Mauro Balomaga, the captain of the container ship, and Leonil Relon also lost their name suppression when they appeared in the Tauranga District Court today for sentencing.
They appeared muted and solemn when sentenced. Female supporters were seen to leave the court in tears.
Both the captain and navigation officer pleaded guilty to a number of charges, including operating a ship in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk to persons or property.
Rena owners Costamare has acknowledged the sentence and said it would continue to meet its responsibilities, as their employer, to ensure their welfare and that of their families
"The Rena owners and our insurers continue to be closely involved in managing the response to the grounding, especially through the activities of our salvage and recovery teams. There are many complex legal, environmental and community issues still to be resolved from the grounding and we are committed to working with all affected parties to achieve a satisfactory conclusion."
Tauranga District Court heard a summary of facts this morning. Crown solicitor Rob Ronayne said the crew made a catalogue of errors while racing to the Port of Tauranga.
He said the ship cut corners and sailed hazardously close to other landmarks such as Bull Rocks and Arial Rocks and the captain and navigational officer tried to cover up their faults.
Crown solicitor Rob Ronayne said there were "substantial deviations'' from the approved passage plan without just cause.
Most seriously, he also said that Balomaga instructed Relon to later plot a false chart position at 2am on October 5 - 15 minutes before the Rena ran aground - so that it gave the appearance of the Rena passing clear of the Astrolabe Reef.
When interviewed on October 11, neither man mentioned falsifying the charts.
Balomaga also admitted a charge under the Resource Management Act of being the master of a ship from which harmful substances or contaminants were discharged into the coastal marine area, and also pleaded guilty to four charges under the Crimes Act of wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Relon also pleaded guilty to three similar charges, which relate to altering ship documents after the grounding, and a charge under the Resource Management Act relating to the discharge of harmful substances and/or contaminants.
The seven month sentences related to the Crimes Act and Maritime Transport Act charges. There was no imprisonment over the RMA charges.
