The review was benchmarked on international standards and overseen by a Steering Committee comprising of the five key agencies responsible for safety. (Toll, Strait Shipping Ltd, Marlborough and Wellington harbourmasters and Maritime NZ).
In his report, Captain Plant makes 24 specific recommendations across the board.
The Steering Committee’s independent Chairman, William Falconer, said today the Cook Strait Review report highlighted a united approach between New Zealand’s two ferries companies, Toll (Interislander) and Strait Shipping Ltd (Bluebridge), together with harbour authorities and safety regulator Maritime New Zealand toward maintaining optimal levels of navigational and operational safety.
Captain Plant’s brief was to look at whether past incidents and accidents had common contributing factors and if additional measures could be taken to improve safety. It encompassed the operational policies of the operators and the regulatory practices of the harbour authorities and Maritime New Zealand.
“I think all involved would agree that this process has served as a platform for a greater degree of collaboration and cooperation amongst the parties on safety issues, and given traction to their interactive roles in achieving ongoing best practice,” said Mr Falconer.
“Although the incidence of reported accidents and incidents during the period 2002 to 2005 was unacceptably high, the Cook Strait Review report showed that operators and the regulators had moved rapidly to rectify deficiencies as they became apparent.
“All of Captain Plant’s recommendations have been implemented or are under action, and of course many were implemented well before the review had even commenced because we’re talking about the review of Cook Strait ferry operations over a five year period,” he said.
Mr Falconer said the purpose of the Cook Strait Review was solely for participants to collectively review their practices and procedures and identify areas for improvement. While the report did not have to be made public, the Steering Committee believed transparency was important.
Maritime NZ Director Russell Kilvington today welcomed the report.
“I am confident that we have a safer Cook Strait not only due to the many initiatives which all the parties have undertaken in the last 18 months, but also due to the new environment of more open, trusting and collaborative working that it has brought about.”
Toll NZ CEO David Jackson says, "It is essential that the public has full confidence in all aspects of safety relating to travelling across the Cook Strait and this report will give people that confidence that safety is everyone's number one priority."
Strait Shipping managing director Sheryl Ellison says the company was happy to participate in the review of the Cook Strait ferry environment.
“The safety of our passengers, staff and freight is, and has always been, of utmost importance to Strait Shipping and it has been a beneficial exercise to work collaboratively with other Cook Strait service providers and relevant agencies to ensure best possible practice is achieved,” she says.
For further information contact:
RCCNZ Media Line
Phone 04 499 7318
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