Failure to keep a proper watch
A company that hired a captain charged with failure to keep a proper watch after his vessel struck an anchored boat , says it's standing behind its employee.
Matthew Whalen was charged after the Marine Voyager - a southwestern Newfoundland ferry - struck a five metre open boat near Burgeo last fall.
Initially, Puddister's Trading placed Whalen on administrative leave, but managing director Art Puddister said Whalen is back to work after an internal review.
"We did a thorough investigation at that time and we have statements from the captain and the crewmembers. It's our position that the captain and the crew operated according to all the rules and regulations," said Puddister.
Jack Barter, the man in the anchored boat hit on Oct. 2, said the crew of the Marine Voyager wasn't doing everything it could have to avoid him.
"Definitely wasn't my fault. I was anchored there and they ran into me. Definitely they weren't on watch there," Barter said.
Barter wasn't hurt, but he would like to know who will pay to repair his damaged boat.
Puddister Trading is picking up the cost of Whalen's lawyer.
You can see the damage done to John Barter's boat caused by a collision with MV Marine Voyager Saturday afternoon off of Boar Island near Burgeo.