Cruise company fined for ‘careless’ grounding in Antarctic waters
French small ship expedition line Ponant has been hit with a six-figure fine in New Zealand after a ship grounded on rocks in protected sub-Antarctic waters.
The L’Austral ship, carrying 356 passengers, hit the submerged rock near the Snares Islands south of New Zealand after it ventured too close to the islands.
It violated its permit to sail there after coming within 300 metres of the islands.
Both the company and captain pleaded guilty under the Resource Management Act.
Ponant was fined $70,000 and captain Regis Daumesnil must pay $30,000.
Daumesnil has been with the company for 23 years.
Environment Court judge Craig Thompson said there was little damage caused to the vessel and no major environmental impact beyond hitting the rock.
However the crew’s actions were described as careless.
"It is a highly sensitive environment with protections in place."
The judge said the ship and its occupants were not in any actual danger but it took unnecessary risks.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season