Covid 19 coronavirus: German crew that illegally entered New Zealand has flown home

The crew of a German yacht that sailed to New Zealand in breach of the country’s Covid-19 border restrictions left the country on a flight yesterday afternoon.

His departure was confirmed in a short statement from Immigration New Zealand. No other details were provided.

The crew was in police custody after an Order of Compromise hearing was held on Tuesday and the court granted INZ permission to detain the crew until Friday.

READ MORE:
• Coronavirus Covid-19: Three German citizens detained in Bay of Islands after breaking Covid-19 border controls
• Covid 19 coronavirus: German border intruders in police custody before hearing
• Covid 19 coronavirus: German protesters from the confinement perform ‘haka’
• German dog owners are required to walk dogs twice a day, under controversial new law

The crew, aged between 20 and 30, were intercepted by New Zealand Customs on Friday last week as they headed for Opua.

New Zealand Customs had been alerted that the ship was still planning to violate New Zealand’s border restrictions after the Ministry of Health denied it waiver visas.

INZ National Visa and Border Operations Manager Peter Elms previously said that the German citizens were taken to Auckland, where they were detained in police custody while awaiting a flight out of New Zealand.

The 16-meter vessel named Anita was transferred Friday from the quarantine pier to another pier at Opua Marina, where it remains while New Zealand Customs conducts an investigation.

A spokesperson for New Zealand Customs said the vessel was responsible for the seizure and duty to pay taxes under the Customs and Excise Act and was under the control of Customs pending further investigation and evaluation. At this time the term of the investigation is unknown.

The arrival of the yacht caused a stir in the sleepy town of Bay of Islands.

Residents of the houses overlooking the bay saw the yacht arrive Friday afternoon with a yellow flag on the mast indicating that it was from abroad.

An Opua resident, who did not want to be identified, was at the marina when the yacht, named Anita, arrived around 3 p.m. escorted by patrol boat Hawk V.

The crew did not hide the arrival of the yacht, which was flying its yellow maritime flag, he said. The flag was used to indicate that a ship was free from quarantine disease and to request boarding and inspection.

A large crowd gathered at the marina, including customs officers, three police cars, and a pop-up Covid testing station.

“There were a lot of police and customs in the marina. There were definitely a lot more people there than there usually are.”

The resident said that when the borders were open, Opua received many yachts from abroad as it was their first stop, but this year very few boats had arrived, especially with the yellow flag. Usually they went through customs and then headed towards Whangarei and further south.

Another local said that everything happened quite quickly and that they did not see the three crew members on the yacht at the marina.

While no charges have been brought against the crew, Immigration NZ has said that refusal to enter New Zealand could have long-term consequences. Your visa exemption status could be suspended and it could affect your ability to travel to other countries.

The Health Ministry confirmed over the weekend that all three had tested negative for Covid-19 and had been isolated on the ship for more than 14 days.

Under current rules, foreign fishing or cargo boats can enter New Zealand.

Any other vessel must enjoy an exemption from the director general of health. The reason had to be compelling, such as refueling or refueling, or handing over to a company for repair or overhaul.

Waivers could also be granted for humanitarian reasons, but are unlikely to be granted solely for financial losses or for vessels wishing to dock during the Pacific cyclone season.

– Additional reports Nikki Preston