The only person who survived the sinking of the Easy Rider in Foveaux Strait has told a court the boat was loaded with equipment, but didn't have enough lifejackets.
Dallas Reedy clung to a petrol can for 18 hours while eight others died when the fishing boat was swamped by a rogue wave in March 2012.
Gloria Davis, the wife of skipper Rewai Karetai who died, is facing charges in the Invercargill District Court that she, as the sole director of the company that owned the boat, did not ensure the safety of those on board.
Mr Reedy on Tuesday described the Easy Rider as being full to capacity with equipment, but felt it was not his place to question the judgement of Mr Karetai as to the stability of the load.
He says there were six lifejackets on board, and he gave his own lifejacket to one of the passengers.
The court was told the rogue wave sounded like a jet engine as it approached and engulfed the boat in seconds. Mr Reedy said he could hear screaming as it tipped over, then silence.
