19 Oct 2011

Protest flotilla case adjourned again

8:51 pm on 19 October 2011

The skipper of a vessel used to protest against deep sea oil exploration off the east coast of the North Island has reappeared in court.

Elvis Teddy is charged with operating a vessel in an unsafe manner in April this year after his boat San Pedro took part in a protest flotilla.

Police say the charges were laid under the Maritime Act after Mr Teddy repeatedly ignored safety instructions while sailing near a survey vessel working for Brazilian oil company Petrobras.

In the Tauranga District Court on Wednesday, Mr Teddy's lawyer sought a further adjournment to allow the team to get more information from police.

Mr Teddy was remanded on bail until December.

About 100 protesters held a rally outside the court in support of Mr Teddy and in opposition to deep sea oil drilling.