Recommendation Date
Recipient Name
MNZ
Text
The Commission is of the view that for commercial operations in exposed open waters, particularly when vessels are approved to operate out of bar harbours, the minimum requirement should be a type 401 lifejacket, and it should be required to have a crotch strap fitted. For the same reasons, Maritime New Zealand should place some emphasis in its safety campaigns on recommending that recreational users adopt a similar standard when intending to cross bar harbours or venture into exposed coastal waters.
On 23 May 2018 the Commission recommended that the Director of Maritime New Zealand review the current requirements for the carriage of lifejackets on commercial restricted-limit vessels, and use an appropriate mechanism to ensure that the required lifejackets are of an appropriate type for the type and place of operation.
On 23 May 2018 the Commission recommended that the Director of Maritime New Zealand review the current requirements for the carriage of lifejackets on commercial restricted-limit vessels, and use an appropriate mechanism to ensure that the required lifejackets are of an appropriate type for the type and place of operation.
Reply Text
I can confirm that Maritime NZ is prepared to undertake a review of the current requirements for the carriage of lifejackets on commercial restricted-limit vessels, to ensure that these produce the best safety outcomes. This work will need to be prioritised against other work streams underway to improve boating safety, including ongoing efforts to promote the wearing of lifejackets of an appropriate size and type by recreational and commercial boat users. This will continue to be a focus of Maritime NZ’s work.
I am in the process of assigning responsibility for the review to an appropriate Maritime NZ work programme. Once this has been done, the first step will be a scoping exercise for the review, which I anticipate will take about a year to complete.
I am in the process of assigning responsibility for the review to an appropriate Maritime NZ work programme. Once this has been done, the first step will be a scoping exercise for the review, which I anticipate will take about a year to complete.
Related Investigation(s)