It is a safety issue that the system for tasking a Coastguard rescue vessel does not always ensure that the people responsible for tasking or operating the vessel are in possession of sufficient information to make a prudent decision on whether the task should be undertaken. Further, a person independent of the crew should always involved in the decision process.
It is recommended that the Chief Executive of The Royal New Zealand Coastguard Inc. develops a nationwide standard that supports measured decisions based on the maximum available information when tasking coastguard vessels.
