Tag: Maritime NZ

Maritime NZ, New Zealand's maritime safety agency, is seeking a compensation of $812,500 for the family of a Filipino seafarer who lost his life from a gas cylinder explosion onboard the cruise ship 'Emerald Princess' in February 2017.

A skipper has been fined $1,688 after speeding and grounding the passenger ferry 'City Cat' in New Zealand. The ferry grounded at 17 knots, in a 5 knot area, on a rock at Karaka Bay on 16 April 2017. Maritime NZ informed the skipper did not have the correct navigational charts, did not maintain proper look-out and had repeatedly traveled at excessive speed prior to the grounding.

Maritime NZ, New Zealand's shipping safety agency, announced the opening of a consultation on 6 November, on changes to the maritime levy and fees. Among others, the agency is considering changing seafarer certification fees that currently range from $372 to $1105 to a fee of $368, with the balance from the Maritime Levy.

The grounding of the Liberian-flagged container ship ‘Rena’ on the Astrolabe Reef resulted in a 200 tonnes HFO discharge into the water, while it is acclaimed as the second most expensive salvage operation in maritime history.

On the occasion of the conclusion of New Zealand’s national Safer Boating Week on 19 October, Maritime NZ reiterated to skippers the importance of always ensuring that there is the right size of lifejackets for everyone onboard. Last year, 19 people died in recreational boating accidents on NZ waters.

Maritime NZ, New Zealand's marine safety regulatory agency, 13 councils and the Lake Taupo Harbourmaster announced beginning of an extended 'No Excuses' campaign for recreational boaties not carrying or wearing lifejackets and those who speed on the water.

The UK P&I Club drew attention to cargo fire risks associated with the lighting system in a vessel hold. The Club was notified by New Zealand TAIC of such incident and advised that alternative LED lighting should be considered, to reduce the risk posed by lights that radiate high levels of heat.

Maritime NZ is reminding boaties heading out on the water this Labour Weekend that checking the marine weather forecast could save their lives. 58% percent of Kiwi boaties said they check the marine forecast ‘every time’ prior to heading out, according to Ipsos research released earlier this week.

Maritime New Zealand issued its Ipsos 2018 Recreational Boating Survey, revealing that recreational boaties seem to behaving more safely, with a steady lifejacket wearing behaviour, more weather checking, taking two ways to call for help, and avoiding alcohol when going out on the water. 

Ahead of New Zealand’s national Safer Boating Week (October 12-19), shipping regulatory agency Maritime NZ advised boaties to always check their lifejackets, because old lifejackets can fail. Manufacturers say lifejackets should be replaced after up to 10 years.