Inquiries & Recommendations

Ngā ketuketutanga me ngā tūtohunga

On 25 October 2017 the Commission recommended that the Director of Maritime New Zealand, provide a common official website where responsible harbour authorities can make their passage plans available for download by shipping companies and vessel masters to access prior to planning their voyages.

Set guidelines for Train Control Officers to advise Locomotive Engineers by radio of unusual movements or circumstances which may be significantly different from the expectancy of the Locomotive Engineer.

A survey of the Te Onetea Road level crossing was carried out to the ALCAM standards on 20 March 2012. The sighting distances in both directions did not allow sufficient time for long vehicles to drive safely over the level crossing without being struck by a train. Therefore, a fully road-compliant long vehicle could not use the level crossing with the recommended margins for safety.

Undertake an immediate inspection of all wagons utilizing this type of handgrip and remove from service those showing evidence of straightening and welding which could adversely effect the integrity of the handgrip and its fitness for purpose.

ensure all controllers have ready access to a telephone independent from the main system.

Ensures, when an aerodrome such as Timaru or Hokitika is being used as a destination or alternative, that current weather and other operational information on the aerodrome is available to the crew throughout the flight, by the company agent either passing the information to ATC, or ensuring radio communications are available with the aircraft.

When undertaking recommendation 037/07, incorporating the details of the maritime limits boundaries for both vessels and competence certificates into the Ministry of Fisheries (Mfish) geospatial data management (GIS) tool "National Aquatic Biodiversity Information System" (NABIS) so as to provide an accurate illustration of the relationship between the Mfish and Maritime NZ regulations.

review Toll Rail’s safety case procedures for the procurement, installation, examination and passing out of auto brake valves and handles and other safety related equipment destined for installation on SD driving trailers to ensure such equipment was fit for purpose.

On 25 February 2016 the Commission recommended to the Chief Executive Officer of Garden City Helicopters that he amend company policies, procedures and practices relating to the management of pilot competency. These amendments should include annual recurrent training and regular proficiency checks for all pilots on all aircraft types flown. For pilots who lack recent experience on an aircraft type, the amendments should introduce increased supervision, additional training and the use of written checklists.

On 22 August 2023, the Commission recommended that Maritime New Zealand works with industry stakeholders to improve safety standards for stevedoring operations through: • implementing an Approved Code of Practice for managing health and safety risks associated with stevedoring activity • establishing minimum training standards for stevedores • establishing a programme to facilitate continuous improvement of stevedoring safety standards, including the sharing of safety information amongst industry stakeholders.

For operations in Milford Sound, either implement maximum meteorological parameters, or require operators to include maximum meteorological parameters in their safety management documentation.

On 30 July 2015 the Commission recommends that the Chief Executive of the NZ Transport Agency liaise with the relevant road control authorities in Auckland and Wellington, and KiwiRail, to review all pedestrian rail crossings and ensure that they address the safety issue whereby they have a level of protection commensurate with the level of risk currently and in the immediate future.