Greater safety measures follow Aratere incidents

“The level of safety across Cook Strait has improved considerably since these two incidents. Safety measures were put in place immediately following the incidents, significant measures have been put in place since, and more will follow,” he said.

In the first incident, Aratere narrowly missed grounding on a rock off Arapawa Island. In the second incident, Aratere cut in front of Kent when turning into Wellington Harbour.

The findings of these two incidents point to poor bridge management and navigational practices, neglect for collision regulations, and an over reliance on electronic navigation aids.

The reports also highlight a number of systemic failures by the management of Interislander, including a lack of thorough documented procedures and formal contingency plans, crew training, and procedures to monitor navigation practices.

Immediately following the first incident, MSA imposed a condition that Aratere be manually steered through Tory Channel and in Wellington Harbour and other pilotage waters. This condition is still in place.

MSA required a safety audit of navigational practices on board Interislander ferries to be carried out shortly after the incidents, which led to a further series of improvements.

Other measures have been carried out in the last eight months, including a technical risk assessment of Aratere from which further actions were taken, and in May MSA required extra crew on the bridge and in the engine room of all Cook Strait ferries operating in pilotage waters.

The investigation reports released today contain a substantial number of further actions for the Interislander. They also recommend actions for MSA, including a review of external auditing procedures for the ferries.

The MSA has also censured the Master of Aratere who was involved in the close quarters incident.

In addition to these actions, MSA has begun an in-depth review of Cook Strait ferry safety, which will include a thorough assessment of all vessel movements within the Marlborough Sounds, including Tory Channel.