Executive summary
On Friday 16 November 2001, at about 0445, the yacht "Toolka-T" fouled the towline between the tug "Wainui" and barge "Sea-Tow 11" and was carried along the towline until it collided with the bow of the barge. The "Toolka-T" passed under the barge and sank as a result of the collision.
The collision occurred off Takatu Point while the "Toolka-T" was southbound towards Gulf Harbour and the "Wainui" was northbound from Auckland to a sand excavation site north of Cape Rodney.
There were 4 people on board the "Toolka-T". The owner of the yacht was unable to get clear of the yacht and did not survive. The other 3 crew were rescued and suffered minor injuries only. There were 5 crew on the "Wainui", none of whom were injured. The "Sea-Tow 11" was not manned.
Safety issues identified included:
• the standard of training of watchkeepers on both vessels
• the legislative requirements for crewing and qualifications of both commercial and pleasure vessels.
Safety recommendations were made to the Director of Maritime Safety to address the issues.
Related Recommendations
in line with the recommendations made by the Pleasure Boat Safety Advisory Group in 1999, continue to monitor for the five-year period to December 2004, the impact of education initiatives introduced in New Zealand against set safety targets. Further, that the systems of compulsory boating safety education in the Canadian and other jurisdictions, continue to be monitored for success through the same period, with a view to implementation of such a system in New Zealand.
critically review the need to ensure that all bridge watchkeepers on New Zealand registered commercial vessels are appropriately qualified.