Executive summary
At about 0826 on Monday, 16 March 1998, "Condor 10" was proceeding out of Wellington Harbour into a moderate southerly swell, when the vessel encountered two short steep waves of approximately 4.5 m in height. The master reduced speed as "Condor 10" rose over the first wave, and the vessel dipped onto the face of the second wave. The resultant slamming displaced the bow visor and caused substantial damage to the surrounding hull structure. None of the 231 passengers and 22 crew were injured in the incident.
Safety issues identified included:
• the level of type-rating training for the crew of high speed craft,
• the quality of route assessment
• the adequacy of route information provided for the master
• the interpretation of the "worst expected conditions"
Safety Recommendations were made to the Managing Director of Tranz Rail, the Director of Maritime Safety, the Wellington Regional Council Harbourmaster and the Area Manager for Det Norske Veritas to address the safety issues.
Related Recommendations
Includes in the Route Operation Manual for Condor 10, or any other high speed craft operated by it, relevant information to assist masters in passing through the Wellington Harbour entrance in safety.
Reviews Tranz Rail's high speed craft operation, and that of other operators of high speed craft in New Zealand, to ensure that they are complying with the relevant codes before a Permit to Operate is issued.
Reviews its rules for assigning limiting speed/wave height criteria for high speed craft, ensuring that due regard is given to the effect of different wave periods on such craft, and ensuring that for each craft, its speed/wave height table is accompanied by a clear and concise statement as to any other factors an operator must take account of when using the table.
Ensures that, before MSA passes its responsibilities under the DSC and HSC Codes to an operator, MSA conducts an audit on that operator to ensure they have a system in place that meets the requirements of the code.