Inquiries & Recommendations

Ngā ketuketutanga me ngā tūtohunga

Implement a requirement for Recognised Surveyors to record in their survey report the servicing and expiry details for life-saving appliances onboard the vessel, to reduce the risk of appliances that are not fit for purpose remaining in service.

Direct the Tasman District Police to work with RCCNZ, other emergency response agencies and local authorities to develop a maritime rescue plan that includes the Kaikōura region.

Direct the Rescue Coordination Centre and New Zealand Police to work together to ensure that effective processes are in place that allow the Rescue Coordination Centre to coordinate maritime and/or aviation assets on behalf of Police when requested or deemed beneficial, fully utilising the strengths of both SAR coordinating authorities for efficient and well-coordinated search and rescue operations.

On 26 February 2025, the Commission recommended to the Director of Civil Aviation at the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand that they promote, through the appropriate International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) forum, consideration for the requirement and implementation for Vortex Ring State alerting systems to be installed in new helicopters.

Adjust the level of oversight and monitoring of the survey system to ensure it is sufficient to give MNZ confidence that the system is fit for purpose, providing for the safety of the vessel and its occupants.

On 26 February 2025, the Commission recommended that the Chief Executive of Standards New Zealand submit papers to the ISO to amend standard ISO 12402 so that it requires manufacturers to attach the following information on lifejackets: • doffing procedures • deflation procedures for inflatable lifejackets • the potential hazard of inflating a lifejacket when obstructed overhead.

Further explore whether Rescue Coordination Centre should be responsible for tasking and coordinating all SAR aviation assets, as is done overseas.

Work with lifejacket industry stakeholders and commercial operators to identify and implement appropriate safety measures that mitigate the potential risks associated with: • inflating a lifejacket while obstructed overhead or in a confined space, limiting a wearer’s ability to escape to a safer area • the lack of guidance and procedures relating to the doffing and deflation of inflatable lifejackets, to increase a wearer’s ability to remove an inflated lifejacket if needed.

Amend Police Standard Operating Procedures to include early engagement of the Police dive squad in maritime responses, when appropriate, to take advantage of their expertise and knowledge in water rescue.

Support the submission of papers to the IMO through an appropriate IMO forum for their consideration to raise awareness about the importance of: • doffing and deflation procedures • the potential hazard of inflating when obstructed overhead.

On 26 February 2025, the Commission recommended that Next Generation Critical Communications lead the establishment of a common communication platform for emergency services, to support the sharing of inter-agency communications to remove delays and improve the flow of information during an emergency response.

Conduct a review, in consultation with RCCNZ, to ensure that maritime rescue plans are in place and put into practice where appropriate, for areas of increased water-based activity nationwide.