Inquiries & Recommendations

Ngā ketuketutanga me ngā tūtohunga

On 25 September 2024, the Commission recommended that KiwiRail review the trigger settings of its rainfall-monitoring equipment and weather risk matrix to ensure they can identify and respond to moderate or heavy rainfall that occurs within a short time period.

There is a perception out in the commercial and recreational boating sectors that rigid inflatable craft are so robust that they have no limits to how hard they can be driven. This perception has contributed to the failure of the inflatable pontoons on least 3 other rigid inflatable boats, 4 if this accident is included, leaving 3 people dead as a result. There might be other occurrences that the Commission is not aware of.

Introduce the following directions into the harbour bylaws covering their ports, to emphasise the intent and principles of STCW and SOLAS: • all vessels, whether under pilotage or pilot exempt, shall have an agreed passage plan for transits within harbour limits • the number of crew members on the bridge shall be sufficient to safely carry out the agreed passage plan

The Commission recommends that the Secretary for Transport review and revise Civil Aviation Rule Parts 105, 115 and 149 for parachuting operations, in conjunction with the Part 149 organisations’ operating procedures and standards, to define flotation devices that are suitable for use by parachutists.

in co-ordination with the Department of Conservation, investigate the most effective way of reducing the risk to aviation safety posed by spur-winged plover either by: • changing their protection status under the Wildlife Act 1953, or • amending the guidelines relating to permits giving authority to disturb or kill protected birds at aerodromes, and to determine a timetable for the implementation of the changes or amendments.

Ensure that the pilot who will do the landing takes over in sufficient time to accustom himself to the prevailing conditions.

In conjunction with the Ministry of Transport, critically review the maritime rule-making process to identify if there are areas where the timeliness of new and amended rules can be improved.

The Commission has made 2 recommendations to the Chief Executive of KiwiRail, that he: 1. Install some form of protection that will automatically stop a train that has overrun Signal 38 in the Wellington station area, and that he review other signalling arrangements in busy, high-risk metro passenger areas to ensure that the same arrangements are in place to minimise the risk of train collisions for the same or similar reasons.

Allocate the taxiway to the "Skycare" apron an identification letter to enable ready reference to it for aircraft, air traffic control and rescue service guidance.

Waist belt or similar ready access lifejackets be provided for each occupant of any air transport flight operation from Milford Aerodrome.

Research the most appropriate location for the sensors for a system of remote reading anemometer to provide an accurate comparison of wind conditions at either end of runway 05/23 and install such a system as soon as practicable.

On 30 July 20152 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.