Executive summary
Shortly after 1415 on Saturday 13 May 2006, while travelling from Kaihuka, in the Breaksea Islands Group to Bluff, the fishing vessel Kotuku capsized and later sank. Six of the 9 persons on board perished.
The vessel was recovered for investigative purposes but was declared a constructive total loss by the insurance company.
Safety issues identified were:
the effectiveness of the safe ship management system to maintain vessel compliance
the operation of a commercial fishing vessel to transport passengers
the general condition and fitness for purpose of the Kotuku
the risk to maritime operations posed by performance impairing substances such as alcohol and drugs
Safety recommendations were made to the Director of Maritime New Zealand to address these issues.
Related Recommendations
Ensure that RFD, and other liferaft manufacturers: • provide painter securing instructions that reflect the use of a weak link as part of a float free system • issue clear and unequivocal installation instructions to accompany each liferaft • Maritime New Zealand to promote the use of manufacturers designed liferaft cradles where available.
Ensure that the current review of safe ship management, and, the amendments to Maritime Rules Part 21 and Part 46 results in: -Safe ship management companies discharging their responsibilities to ensure their client vessels comply fully with the required standards -Maritime New Zealand discharging its own responsibilities for the oversight of the maritime industry standards in accordance with the Maritime Transport Act 1994 -Owners of vessels discharging their responsibilities to ensure their vessels remain in compliance with the rules at all times.
Review the policy and procedures for issuing exemptions from compliance with the rules to ensure that safety critical standards are not compromised.
Require that where a secondary electrically driven submersible bilge pump is fitted, it meets the requirements as prescribed in Maritime Rule Part 40D 28(6).
In conjunction with the Ministry of Transport, critically review the maritime rule-making process to identify if there are areas where the timeliness of new and amended rules can be improved.