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New Zealand Maritime Safety Authority News

25 Feb 2004

NZ MSA Orders Vessel Tests

The New Zealand Maritime Safety Authority has instructed the owners of the Japanese iron sands carrier Taharoa Express to carry out engine and maneuvering trials with the vessel to ensure that it can berth safely at the Taharoa offshore loading terminal, near Raglan. As a precautionary measure in the event of a further engine failure, the MSA will also require a harbour tug to be on station during the trials and while the Taharoa Express ties up to the terminal. The Taharoa Express was approaching the Taharoa offshore terminal mooring buoy, two nautical miles offshore, at 7.20pm on Sunday night when it suffered a total loss of main engine power. The pilot and crew were carrying out emergency anchoring procedures when engine power was restored.

30 Mar 2004

Wind Gust Proves Fatal

The New Zealand Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) issued a Media Release stating that its investigation into the accident that resulted in the death of a stevedore working on board the container vessel Pacific Quest revealed that the incident was the result of high and unexpected wind gusts that caused a container base to swing out of control. As a result of this incident, the maximum operating wind speed for container cranes at the Thorndon CentrePort have been decreased and additional wind speed indicators have been installed. (HK Law)

20 May 2004

IMO Bans Large Ships from NE Coast of NZ North Island

The New Zealand Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) issued a Media Release stating that the IMO approved a decision to ban ships greater than 45 meters in length from an area off the northeast coast of the North Island. This area extends five miles from land between Bream Head and Cape Brett. The ban will come into effect on 1 December 2004. Source: HK Law

18 Dec 2001

New Zealand Proposes to Standardize Pilotage Licensure

The New Zealand Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) has promulgated a Proposed Rule that would, if implemented, replace the local pilotage licenses issued by local harbour authorities with a standard State license issued by the MSA on the basis of local assessments. Source: HK Law

09 Sep 2004

Wake Up Call for Fatigued Seafarers

Recent research by the New Zealand Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) has shown fatigue at sea to be of concern, with half of those seafarers surveyed reporting being fatigued on at least on one of their last five trips. Fatigue has also been a causal factor in several recent vessel groundings. An MSA-led working group is now working with the industry to provide guidelines and policy for owners, operators and employees to better manage fatigue. Each commercial maritime sector is being tackled one-by-one, and the fishing industry is first up. The guidelines will include practical methods for managing fatigue, and will be used as a basis for fatigue management training and education.

11 Oct 2004

Asleep at the Wheel

On the morning of June 29, 2003, the general cargo vessel JAMBO grounded off the Summer Islands on the west coast of Scotland. The primary cause of the grounding and subsequent total loss of the ship was that the chief officer on watch fell asleep and missed his intended change of course. He was awakened by the grounding. The root cause of the casualty was extreme fatigue - the result of a long period of standing six-on, six-off watches combined with cargo loading/unloading duties when the ship was in port. Unfortunately, this type casualty is not rare. Marine casualties in U.S. a) Grounding of the passenger car-ferry A. b) Collision between the USS RICHARD L. e) Grounding of the passenger ship STAR PRINCESS on Poundstone Rock, Lynn Canal, Alaska on June 23, 1995.

09 Oct 2002

Vessel Aground in New Zealand

According to the New Zealand Maritime Safety Authority (MSA), the Hong Kong motor vessel Tai Ping is aground at the entrance to Bluff harbor (located at the south end of South Island). The vessel is carrying 9,535 tons of urea and 350 tons of heavy fuel oil and diesel. While there are no reports of an oil discharge, the MSA has declared a Tier 3 emergency response. Follow-up reports state the response efforts and discussed response planning.

16 Oct 2002

TAI PING Refloat Soon

The New Zealand Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) issued a press release stating that the first attempt to refloat the TAI PING is scheduled for October 17. Cargo has been discharged almost every day since the vessel grounded in Bluff Harbour and additional tugs have arrived in preparation for further salvage operations. No pollution has been reported. Source: HK Law

03 Apr 2003

Bulker Being Towed Away from New Zealand

The New Zealand Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) has stated that the bulker Taharoa Express is being towed away from the Northland coastline, after being at anchor off the coast of Dargaville for the past two days as a result of engine problems. The towage passage plan calls for the ship to be towed 200 miles offshore where it will be met by a larger tug for towage to Japan.

08 Apr 2003

MSA Cites Weather as Cause of NZ Casualty

The New Zealand Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) sites weather as the major cause of the February 7, 2002 casualty involving the Jody F Millennium, according to an accident report released today. The investigation also revealed serious deficiencies in the management and operation of Port Gisborne and the conduct of the master and pilot.

22 Oct 2002

Repairs Underway on TAI PING

The New Zealand Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) has stated that a full damage assessment has been completed on the M/V TAI PING and that work has begun on temporary repairs to the hull. Source: HK Law