THE skipper of a power boat accused of menacing and "actively harassing" a 102-year-old passenger ferry that was hosting a Labor party fundraiser as part of a protest against the party's support of the Hunter Offshore Wind Project has pleaded not guilty.
Fisherman Jared Luke Banek, 47, of Belmont North, who is represented by solicitor James Janke, will face a two-day hearing in Raymond Terrace Local Court in June after he pleaded not guilty to recklessly operating a recreational vessel and menacing navigation.
Labor senator Deborah O'Neill, Port Stephens MP Kate Washington and about 45 Labor party supporters were aboard the Wangi Queen in waters off Lemon Tree Passage on August 11 this year to raise money for then mayoral candidate Leah Anderson when Mr Banek is accused of conducting three close passes, his boat creating large waves that pounded the ferry and terrified those onboard.
Mr Banek's vessel, Reel Issues, a 17.5m long motor cruiser, "seized an opportunity to deliberately interfere with the safe navigation" of the passenger ferry when water police monitoring the protest and fundraiser backed off, according to court documents.
It was about 11.35am when water police say Reel Issues approached from behind the Wangi Queen and caused waves estimated to between 1 and 1.5 metres high.
The "close and dangerous manoeuvre" caused the crew of the ferry to take "emergency action" with a hard 90-degree turn to "avoid calamity" and limit violent rocking of the 100-year-old craft, water police said in court documents.
As well as those high-profile Labor party members, there was also elderly people, a pregnant passenger and a five-year-old child on board the ferry.
Police allege Reel Issues navigated past the Wangi Queen, turned and came towards the ferry again. This time it allegedly passed within about five to 10 metres of the ferry, causing more large waves and forcing the master to again take evasive action while staff told passengers to sit down for their safety.
Water police say Reel Issues conducted a total of three closes passes of the ferry, at one point creating a "head on situation".
Earlier, those who boarded the ferry claim a group who had gathered at the Lemon Tree Passage jetty to protest proposed wind farms in the waters off Port Stephens had told them "they should expect rough wash", according to court documents.
Water police said they were about 800 metres away from the Wangi Queen but witnessed the alleged menacing navigating and moved in to stop Reel Issues.
When spoken to by police, Mr Banek denied he had come into close quarters of the ferry or made heavy wash and was later adamant that at no time did his boat come within 60 metres of the ferry.
Port Stephens game fishers believe the Hunter Offshore Wind zone will destroy one of Australia's top marlin fishing grounds.
