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“The aim of the meetings has been to encourage a good safety culture when travelling to and from the Muttonbird islands, and to advise vessel owners and operators of the requirements if they are ferrying cargo and/or passengers back and forth.”
Mr Pollard said the muttonbird season often required significant quantities of cargo to be transported, and it was important that this was stowed safely.
“It is critical that cargo must be properly stowed in the vessel’s hold before considering whether it is safe to stow any extra load on deck. Although it may mean extra work, stowing any cargo or gear correctly is essential to maintaining the stability of the vessel. It is especially important that a vessel’s freeing ports, which allow any water shipped onto the deck to drain away, are not obstructed by cargo on the deck.”
It was also important that a vessels’ safety and communications equipment was accessible and in good working order, Mr Pollard said.
“This includes ensuring that there are enough lifejackets of the correct size for all on board – including any children – as well as carrying at least two forms of reliable communications, such as a marine VHF radio, emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), and flares etcetera. Setting up a regular radio schedule is also good idea so that anyone waiting at home knows that all on board are okay.
“Skippers should also check the weather to see that conditions are favourable prior to going out, but if in doubt, the message is ‘don’t go out’.”
Mr Pollard said owners and operators of vessels using them for private muttonbirding trips or to carry passengers and/or gear to and from the islands were also not allowed to charge or receive any kind of payment for their services.
“In addition to not charging or receiving any payment for services they may provide, commercial vessel skippers and owners are required to advise Maritime New Zealand of the dates they will be using their vessel privately, as well as inform their safe ship management company and keep a record of the trip in their logs.
“While I admire the skills, knowledge, and in many cases the courage of vessel owners and operators, these rules are in place to ensure everyone’s safety,” Mr Pollard said.
For further information contact:
RCCNZ Media Line
Phone 04 499 7318
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