Maritime New Zealand moved swiftly to ensure a tragedy similar to the capsize of the Easy Rider, in which eight people died, could never happen again, a court has been told.
The fishing vessel was on a mutton birding trip in March 2012 when it sank. Only one person survived.
A defended hearing for the boat's owner, Gloria Davis, is underway in the Invercargill District Court. The Southland woman is representing herself on three charges under the Maritime and Health and Safety in Employment Acts.
The prosecution says Ms Davis knew that the boat was operating with an uncertified skipper in the lead-up to the sinking in Foveaux Strait.
Crown prosecutor Brent Stanaway told the court that Ms Davis was the sole director of the company and allowed the Easy Rider to be operated in a dangerous manner.
He said there were too many passengers on board and her inaction led to the deaths, including that of her husband, William Karetai, who was the skipper.
On Tuesday, Gloria Davis began her cross-examination of Maritime New Zealand commercial operations manager Arthur Jobard asking what the agency had done following the sinking of the Easy Rider.
Mr Jobard told the court it had followed up with a campaign to ensure that vessel owners were aware of stability and loading issues. The agency also made sure skippers were aware of the qualifications they needed to be in charge of such vessels.
The hearing continues on Wednesday.
