Recommendation Date
Recipient Name
MNZ
Text
On 12 December 2019 the Commission recommended to the Director of Maritime New Zealand that they ensure all operators working under Maritime Rules Part 82 have identified on each jet boat all systems that are critical to the safe operation of the boat, and to have a documented inspection and maintenance system in place that covers those critical systems and also ensures they meet manufacturers’ specifications. The inspection and maintenance system should complement rather than replace any existing system of daily checks.
Reply Text
I write in response to your letter of 12 December 2019 inviting Maritime New Zealand (Maritime NZ) to comment on final recommendation 10/19, which is contained in the report into jet boat Discovery 2 contact with Skippers Canyon wall. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the final recommendation.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (Commission) has recommended to the Director of Maritime NZ:
"That they ensure all operators working under Maritime Rules Part 82 have identified on each jet boat all systems that are critical to the safe operation of the boat, and have documented inspection and maintenance systems in place that cover those critical systems and also ensure they meet manufacturers' specifications . The inspection and maintenance system should complement rather than replace any existing system of daily checks."
The Commission has asked Maritime NZ to confirm whether these final recommendations will be implemented. The Commission has also asked, if practicable, the date by when these recommendations will be fully implemented and the likely actions taken to address the recommendations.
Maritime NZ's response to recommendation 10/19
Maritime NZ agrees with this recommendation. Maritime Rules Part 82 (Part 82) sets safe design and construction standards for jet boats, sets standards for safety equipment, and establishes safe operating procedures that must
be followed by commercial jet boat operators and drivers. Maritime NZ believe these provisions in Part 82 can ensure the safety issues identified in the recommendation are addressed.
Part 82 sets out that a commercial jet boat operator must have, and apply, a maintenance programme for every commercial jet boat and propulsion unit. This maintenance programme must be documented. Part 82 also outlines the types of hazards that must be managed by a commercial jet boat operator. This is not limited to only hazards relating to operating conditions or driver performance. Hazards relating to systems that are critical to the safe operation of the boat can be identified and managed by the operator.
Maritime NZ is currently developing a programme to extend areas within an operation that are audited under Part 82 requirements. The audits will be covering a wide range of topics but will specifically cover two key items:
The adequacy of the driver competency programmes required by the rule, and checking that they have been properly implemented by each operation .
The adequacy of the maintenance programmes required by the rule, and checking that they have been properly implemented by each operation.
As part of this programme of work Maritime NZ is also exploring working with commercial jet boat operators to develop critical systems maintenance guidance. From time to time Maritime NZ will issue Safety Updates to make operators aware of safety issues. There fore, in relation to this incident, Maritime NZ is developing a Safety Update to raise awareness of the potential risk of failure of studs which hold the steering nozzle housing in place and the requirements as part of their regular maintenance programme to check these parts. It is our intention to issue this Safety Update in 2020.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (Commission) has recommended to the Director of Maritime NZ:
"That they ensure all operators working under Maritime Rules Part 82 have identified on each jet boat all systems that are critical to the safe operation of the boat, and have documented inspection and maintenance systems in place that cover those critical systems and also ensure they meet manufacturers' specifications . The inspection and maintenance system should complement rather than replace any existing system of daily checks."
The Commission has asked Maritime NZ to confirm whether these final recommendations will be implemented. The Commission has also asked, if practicable, the date by when these recommendations will be fully implemented and the likely actions taken to address the recommendations.
Maritime NZ's response to recommendation 10/19
Maritime NZ agrees with this recommendation. Maritime Rules Part 82 (Part 82) sets safe design and construction standards for jet boats, sets standards for safety equipment, and establishes safe operating procedures that must
be followed by commercial jet boat operators and drivers. Maritime NZ believe these provisions in Part 82 can ensure the safety issues identified in the recommendation are addressed.
Part 82 sets out that a commercial jet boat operator must have, and apply, a maintenance programme for every commercial jet boat and propulsion unit. This maintenance programme must be documented. Part 82 also outlines the types of hazards that must be managed by a commercial jet boat operator. This is not limited to only hazards relating to operating conditions or driver performance. Hazards relating to systems that are critical to the safe operation of the boat can be identified and managed by the operator.
Maritime NZ is currently developing a programme to extend areas within an operation that are audited under Part 82 requirements. The audits will be covering a wide range of topics but will specifically cover two key items:
The adequacy of the driver competency programmes required by the rule, and checking that they have been properly implemented by each operation .
The adequacy of the maintenance programmes required by the rule, and checking that they have been properly implemented by each operation.
As part of this programme of work Maritime NZ is also exploring working with commercial jet boat operators to develop critical systems maintenance guidance. From time to time Maritime NZ will issue Safety Updates to make operators aware of safety issues. There fore, in relation to this incident, Maritime NZ is developing a Safety Update to raise awareness of the potential risk of failure of studs which hold the steering nozzle housing in place and the requirements as part of their regular maintenance programme to check these parts. It is our intention to issue this Safety Update in 2020.
Related Investigation(s)