3 Sep 2009

Company admits part in ocean pipeline deaths

10:27 pm on 3 September 2009

The company that employed two men who drowned while working on a wastewater ocean pipeline in Christchurch has pleaded guilty to failing to ensure their safety.

Jody Campbell and Tony Utteridge were returning to shore in a small boat in stormy conditions in October last year when they drowned.

Maritime New Zealand brought charges against the men's employer, Heron Construction, and the project's main contractor, McConnell Dowell.

Heron Construction on Thursday pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the safety of its employees and operating the boat without a safe ship management certificate.

Heron Construction will be sentenced on 14 December.

McConnell Dowell pleaded guilty in August to failing to ensure the safety of its employees and acting without a necessary maritime document.

The company will be sentenced on 14 October.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of $250,000 and $100,000, respectively.