Executive summary
On Sunday 19 August 2001 at about 0710, the fishing vessel "Hans" ran aground on West Head at the entrance to Tory Channel while on passage from the fishing grounds in Cook Strait to Picton. The skipper was able to transmit a mayday call before he and the 5 crew boarded the life raft. They were rescued uninjured shortly after by another vessel before the "Hans" sank.
Safety issues identified included:
• the inadequate watchkeeping arrangements aboard the Hans
• the manning level of the "Hans" for the operation undertaken
• the operator, skipper and crew not implementing Maritime Rule Part 31C [Crewing and Watchkeeping - Fishing Vessels]
• the lack of procedures and guidelines regarding fitness for duty and fatigue in the Safe Ship Management manual
• the lack of a watchkeeper monitor alarm for a single-handed wheelhouse operation.
Safety recommendations were made to the managing director of Pegasus Bay Fishing Limited, the principal surveyor of Lloyd’s Register of Shipping and the general manager, trade and education, of the Seafood Industry Council to address the safety issues.
Related Recommendations
Implement the requirements of Maritime Rule Part 31C [Crewing and Watchkeeping - Fishing Vessels] for all vessels under its safe ship management system.
Include an article in the Seafood New Zealand magazine featuring this report, the intent of Maritime Rule Part 31C [Crewing and Watchkeeping - Fishing Vessels] together with its advisory circular and the work of the Maritime Safety Authority convened Fishing Industry Safety and Health Advisory Group (FISHgroup).
Ensure that the manning of fishing vessels operated by his company is adequate to enable at least one crew member capable of watchkeeping to be sufficiently rested at all times.
Fit watchkeeping alarms to the wheelhouse of all vessels operated by his company.
Implement the requirements of Maritime Rule 31C [Crewing and Watchkeeping - Fishing Vessels] for all vessels operated by his company and update the Safe Ship Management manuals as necessary.