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Iron Maiden report released
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25 May 2005
The Maritime Safety Authority has passed several safety recommendations to the Department of Conservation following an investigation into the grounding of its workboat, Southern Winds, with 11 people on board in Fiordland on 9 October.
The grounding happened in high winds late at night in Charles Sounds, when the skipper was trying to find better shelter because the vessel had repeatedly dragged its anchor. As Southern Winds passed by Catherine Island it struck a submerged rock and began taking on water.
DoC staff onboard stabilised the vessel, and a helicopter met the vessel in the morning to make temporary repairs enabling it to return to Bluff. |
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Among the investigation findings, the MSA found the anchor and cable were unsuited to the vessel, and there was no readily available locking mechanism on the winch that pulls in the anchor.
MSA chief accident investigator Mike Eno says eight recommendations have been passed to DoC.
“Among these, DoC is required to implement nationwide vessel operating procedures, use an appropriate anchor, cable and winch, and carry out risk evaluation of the vessel.
“DoC hasn’t used its nationwide approach for the management of Southern Winds. It has an excellent management and risk-analysis system for its 18-metre vessel based in the Hauraki Gulf.
“One of the key learnings to come out of this unfortunate grounding is that there’s always a need to comprehensively plan a passage, that, should the need arise, will take you clear of obstructions and out into safe water,” he said.
Mr Eno says DoC has carried out some excellent initial remedial work on the Southern Winds since the accident, at MSA’s request.
For further information contact:
RCCNZ Media Line
Phone 04 499 7318
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