Whale Watch Kaikōura Fined for Safety Violations
Whale Watch Kaikōura Fined Following Worker Injuries
whale Watch Kaikōura has been fined $246,500 and ordered to pay emotional harm payments to two employees following separate incidents in late 2023 and early 2024. Both incidents involved falls resulting in injury, highlighting significant safety concerns aboard the vessel.
In December 2023, a crew member fell two meters into the engine room while hosing down the deck, sustaining injuries to her head and arm. The worker reported feeling scared and alone, and continues to experience anxiety related to entering confined spaces over a year later, despite no longer working for the company.
Separately, in march 2024, another worker fell into the water through a gap between the vessel and a gangway while refueling. She suffered a concussion and experienced shock, blurry vision, and ongoing vivid dreams and flashbacks related to the near-drowning experience.
The company pleaded guilty to two charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act for failing to adequately protect its workers from the risk of serious injury or death. Judge Gerard lynch imposed the fine and ordered $5,000 in emotional harm payments to each injured worker.
Maritime New Zealand emphasized that the prosecution stemmed from the company’s awareness of fall risks and its reliance on administrative controls – such as staff awareness and communication – instead of implementing practical, low-cost physical safety improvements. The organization stressed the importance of providing safe workplaces and implementing reasonably practicable safety measures to prevent worker harm.