Executive summary
At about 0810 on Friday, 6 March 1998, the harbour tug "Purau" and the Diamond Harbour ferry Ngatiki, with eight passengers on board, were in collision in the Port of Lyttelton. The ferry was severely damaged and all except one passenger received minor injuries.
Safety issues identified included the failure to keep a proper lookout, improper interpretation of collision avoidance regulations, incomplete communication requirements for vessels moving within the port and speeds in excess of harbour restrictions. Safety recommendations were made to the Operations Manager of Lyttelton Harbour Cruises and to the Marine Operations Manager of the Lyttelton Port Company to address the above safety issues.
Related Recommendations
He ensures that all vessels using the Port of Lyttelton are aware of, and adhere to, the 5 knot speed restriction in the inner harbour.
He remind skippers of ferries that when operating in any area with other vessels, they are to adhere to the provisions of the Shipping (Distress and Prevention of Collision) Regulations 1988 as per the Canterbury Regional Council Harbour Bylaws.
He ensure that skippers of ferries adhere to the 5 knot speed restriction when within the inner harbour. In the absence of a speed indicator he should specify the engine rpm that corresponds to the required speed.
He extend the requirement to notify the Lyttelton Signal Tower of vessel movements into, out of or within the port to include all commercial vessels regardless of their size or nature of operation.
Regardless of any legislative requirement to do so, he instruct the skippers of ferries to report their arrivals and departures to the Lyttelton Signal Tower on VHF channel 12.