Book of evidence served on master of German trawler that was tied up at Cork docks

A €425,000 court lodgement was required to secure the release of a German-registered factory super-trawler that was tied up at Tivoli docks in Cork this week as a book of evidence was served on the master of the vessel.

Garda Dermot Broughton formally arrested and charged 44-year-old Willem Van Der Boon, the Dutch master of the German-registered 'Helen Mary' with seven counts today.

State solicitor for Cork city, Frank Nyhan, said at Cork District Court that the Director of Public Prosecutions directed trial by indictment on six of the charges, the seventh count being a summary district court charge.

A book of evidence was served on Willem Van Der Boon. 

On the application of Mr Nyhan, Judge Mary Dorgan sent the case forward to the next sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court commencing on April 28.

The first count states that he did on February 16 within the exclusive fishery limits of the state being the master of the sea-fishing boat, 'Helen Mary', being a Union fishing vessel, did fail to provide a boarding ladder to facilitate safe and convenient access to the boat, which is required to be in good order and be efficient for the purpose of enabling inspectors to embark and disembark safely at sea, contrary to the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006.

The second and third counts refer to the positioning and securing of a ladder, and failure to meet step measurement requirements.

The fourth count in the book of evidence states that he carried onboard equipment capable of automatically grading Horse Mackerel by size where no derogation was provided for this.

The fifth count states that being a pelagic fishing vessel and a Union vessel, there was a failure to have onboard a discharge capablilty drawing certified by the competent authorities.

Count six refers to a failure to have onboard a drawing which related to the catch handling capability.

Mr Nyhan said there was no objection to the defendant being released on bail stating that there was a very significant bond for the release of the vessel.

Judge Dorgan released the master of the 'Helen Mary' on his own bond of €10,000 with no cash lodgement required.

Defence solicitor Dermot Conway confirmed that a cash bond of €425,000 would be lodged in court by agreement to secure the release of the vessel.