Lookout! – Issue 15
21 December 2009
Guidance notice – Issue 17:
Long-range identification and tracking (LRIT) equipment testing
21 December 2009
Maritime New Zealand's current online services.
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The first stage of the Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) review of qualifications and operational limits (QOL Review) is underway.
The QOL Review aims to develop a clear and logical framework for qualifications, and the operational limits linked to them, to meet the needs of New Zealand’s commercial maritime sector – now and in the future.
MNZ Principal Maritime Advisor John Mansell (right)
and Jeremy Ward of Wellington’s East By West Ferries
discuss the QOL Review.
QOL Review Project Manager Bridget Carter and Principal Maritime Advisor John Mansell are visiting 12 regions in New Zealand to interview more than 150 representatives of the maritime community, including commercial operators, port companies and training organisations.
The interviews are the start of a comprehensive engagement and consultation programme to involve the industry in shaping a new qualifications and operational limits framework.
“We want to know what works and doesn’t work with the current system, and what people would like to see in the new framework,” says Bridget. “This is a clean slate review – so we want to capture fresh thinking and we welcome ideas for improvements.
“We’re talking to a range of people from industry groups through to individuals, including skippers and deckhands, so we get a broad cross-section of views,” she says.
Interviews have already been held in Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, Hawke’s Bay and East Coast. Next stops are Canterbury, West Coast, Northland, Otago and Southland. The QOL Review community engagement programme will be completed by November.
“So far, we’ve spoken to a really good range of people,” says Bridget. “They’ve been very helpful in pinpointing concerns with the present framework, drawing on their own experiences. They’re giving us a much better understanding of day-to-day practicalities, and the impacts that certification and operational limits have on their business.”
The key findings from the interviews will be released to the industry for comment early next year. This feedback will direct the development of a proposed, high-level framework, which the maritime community will be consulted on.
Although MNZ is unable to interview every member of the maritime community, everyone has the opportunity to take part in the QOL Review Maritime Community Engagement Programme by completing a questionnaire.
QOL Review frequently asked questions