Inquiries & Recommendations

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On Thursday, 10 September 1998, an on-track maintenance group had just finished packing up their two hi-rail vehicles for off-tracking when they noticed Train GR7, the EM80 track evaluation car, approaching from the north and approximately 2.7 km distant. The ganger managed to contact the locomotive engineer using the train control radio and the train was brought to a stop well clear of the hi-rail vehicles. The cause of the near collision was the drawing of a maintenance occupation on the train control diagram approximately 10 km south of its actual location.

At about 1710 on Saturday, 5 September 1998, the passenger sailing vessel "Phantom of the Straits" was engaged on a short sailing trip on Wellington Harbour when fire broke out near the engine enclosure. The fire was eventually extinguished, but not before the vessel had suffered extensive fire and smoke damage below decks. The skipper suffered from minor smoke inhalation; otherwise none of the four passengers or deck-hand were injured in the fire. Factors contributing to the fire included substandard features in the electrical and machinery installations on board the yacht.

[A preliminary investigation showed that the circumstances were not likely to have significant implications for transport safety. Consistent with section 13 of the TAIC Act the Commission discontinued the investigation and no report was published.]

On Wednesday, 25 August 1998 a number of 3.7 m long logs fell from the last wagon of a rake of loaded log wagons in Mount Maunganui railway yard. The loss of load occurred because the logs were not adequately restrained by the cradle supports at either end. A safety issue identified was the adequacy of the code covering the securing of 3.7 m logs on standard log wagons. The Commission investigated this incident because of the potential for displaced logs to endanger other trains and third parties adjacent to the track.

On Wednesday 19 August 1998, Cessna 402C aeroplane ZK-VAC was on a scheduled flight from Stewart Island to Invercargill when both engines failed. After the successful ditching in Foveaux Strait five passengers were rescued, but three passengers and the pilot, who were without lifejackets, did not survive. One passenger is missing presumed dead. The cause of the double engine failure was not conclusively established but may have been associated with systemic fuel management. Safety issues identified included:

On Tuesday, 18 August 1998 at about 1845 the passenger cargo vessel "Stella" had an apparent loss of steering in heavy weather when attempting to turn around and head out of Omaha Bay. The vessel was on passage from Tryphena to Auckland with three persons on board. Due to a navigational error the "Stella" approached Omaha Bay although intending to approach the Auckland main channel. The "Stella" was held approximately in position under tow by the vessel Great Barrier Express. "Stella" was towed to the shelter of Bon Accord Harbour by HMNZS Kahu.

At about 1525 hours on 17 August 1998 a group of secondary school students were crossing the Henderson rail yard at the south end. A cyclist in the group dismounted to cross the rails, and while pushing his bicycle fell in front of train 2125, a southbound diesel multiple unit passenger train. The youth received serious injuries requiring amputation of one leg.

On Thursday, 13 August 1998, at about 0120, the fishing vessel "San Rakaia" grounded on Ninepin Rock at the entrance to Pelorus Sound. The vessel had been on passage from Nelson to the Cook Strait fishery with seven persons on board. There were no injuries. With assistance of other vessels the "San Rakaia" was refloated on the next high tide. Safety issues identified included: • inadequate management of the crew working routine, leading to fatigue • under utilisation of available navigation aids • lack of a watchkeeper monitor alarm for single-handed bridge operation

At 1249 on Wednesday 29 July 1998, the Ro-Ro cargo vessel "Union Rotoma" had encountered heavy weather in the Great Australian Bight while on passage from Sydney to Adelaide. Four containers stacked two-high on the weather deck toppled, and while this event was being investigated, three larger waves caused the ship to roll heavily, resulting in a more substantial shift of cargo above and below deck. Three containers were lost overboard in the shift.

[A preliminary investigation showed that the circumstances were not likely to have significant implications for transport safety. Consistent with section 13 of the TAIC Act the Commission discontinued the investigation and no report was published.]

On Sunday 28 June 1998, at approximately 1650 hours, Train 902, the northbound Southerner express passenger, derailed at Islington at slow speed. The rear of the train was routed to the down main when motorised points moved under the train. There were no injuries. Causal factors were non-compliances with intended procedures for points operation. Safety issues identified were the suitability of those procedures and the effectiveness of compliance monitoring. A number of safety actions were taken by the operator and 5 safety recommendations were made to address the safety issues.

On Tuesday, 2 June 1998, Train 482 was running from Putaruru to Kinleith with a rake of six empty wagons. At approximately 0510 hours the train was stopped by a member of the public waving a torch just ahead of a main line blockage caused by wagons in the Tokoroa timber siding which had run away and derailed fouling the main line.