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Issue 88
April 2022
SeaChange brings you news you can use to stay safe on the water, plus updates from Maritime NZ and the maritime sector. Remember to 'view in browser' to see all the images below.
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Kia ora. Were already over quarter of the way through what has been an eventful year so far. I hope you made the most of the Anzac/Easter break to refresh and unwind.
I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the port workers who died in recent incidents at Auckland and Lyttelton ports. Our investigators are looking into both incidents, and we will also be working in partnership with Unions, Port and Stevedoring Companies and WorkSafe through the Port Health and Safety Leadership Group to respond to the Ministers request for actions to address some of the critical stevedoring risk areas on Ports.
As New Zealand reconnects with the global community, our teams are working hard to ensure the maritime sector keeps pace with these changes. From a COVID-19 perspective, work is continuing on the maritime border reopening while vaccination efforts on ports continues with a new service starting up soon where maritime businesses receive a list of workers due for vaccination or booster.
Meanwhile, in the international space, our team has been joining international forums to stay involved with global efforts to stop plastic ending up in our oceans.
This month, were reminding boaties lending water craft to friends to ensure the borrower knows the ins and outs of operating your boat, kayak, stand up paddle board etc. Boating takes skills and knowledge that new water users will need help with. In this issue, we give some pointers to ensure everyone makes it home safely.
With the colder months approaching, make sure you remember the cold water survival basics, which we also cover in this issue.
This months SeaChange articles:
- COVID-19 update
- Lending someone your boat or jet ski? Make sure theyre competent first.
- Meet our crew Ian Lancaster, Principal Advisor Technical (International)
- Certification process changes
- Environmental priorities for the International Maritime Organization
- Combatting the growth of global marine plastic
- Prepare for winter boating
- Knowing the risks can avoid dangerous accidents
- Commercial operators: reminder to update details
Ng mihi
Kirstie Hewlett
Director and Chief Executive
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With the change to the Orange setting of the Covid Protection Framework across New Zealand, many other Covid-19 related systems are being reviewed to ensure they align. The next big piece of work will address the maritime border and how to better align it with the air border and community settings.
Other important developments over April include:
- Changes to MIQ we have communicated with stakeholders to prepare them for changes in the MBO where it will no longer be a requirement for most maritime crew arriving in New Zealand through the Maritime Border to enter MIQ. This will mean crew can enter NZ via the air border as normal and be treated like any other arrival.
- Vaccination update - maritime related businesses will soon receive a list of workers who are due for vaccination or a booster to ensure sector vaccinations remain on track. This approach will be trialled for a few weeks and businesses will be surveyed to see if it helps lift vaccination rates.
- Seafarer Vaccination - work is continuing to look at how visiting seafarers could be vaccinated when they arrive in New Zealand. International seafarer vaccination rates are increasing and in some cases, vaccinations have already been administered to seafarers on Pacific Island vessels in NZ.
Stay up to date with the latest information
Remember, you'll find regularly updated COVID-19 information on our website, including the Maritime Industry Update. If you have any questions, please contact us at MNZCovid-19@maritimenz.govt.nz.
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Lending someone your boat or jet ski? Make sure theyre competent first.
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Maritime NZ is reminding recreational boaties to think carefully before lending water craft to friends or family, after investigating a number of collisions involving borrowed vessels.
Is the person experienced? Do they know the rules of the water? These are important questions to ask before letting anyone borrow your boat, jet ski or any other type of water craft. In one recent incident, a youth was seriously injured and hospitalised following a collision with a mate. Both were using jet skis belonging to their parents.
Be sure to remind anyone who borrows your water craft of the 5 knot rule, and that it needs to be followed at all times, even between mates.
The speed of all vessels must be no more than 5 knots when the vessel is:
- within 50m of any other vessel
- within 50m of any person in the water
- within 200m of the shore, any structure or vessel flying a dive flag.
Get more boating safety information
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Ian Lancaster, Principal Advisor Technical (International), taking a break from IMO meetings to raise money for Mission to Seafarers via 'Nightrider London 2019'
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I can see the light at the end of the tunnel for the safety of ships cranes work Ive been involved in since New Zealand initiated the project with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2007. This will plug a significant gap and improve the safety of stevedores and seafarers globally.
The safety of ships cranes is one of many projects Ian Lancaster, Principal Advisor Technical (International), has turned his hand to since he joined our crew almost 21 years ago. Engaging with the international shipping industry remains his main focus, and he rates his appointment, as New Zealand alternative permanent representative to the IMO as his proudest moment.
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Environmental priorities for the International Maritime Organization
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The International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) Sub-Committee meeting was hosted in London recently, with a virtual New Zealand delegation that included Maritime NZ staff.
The team discussed technical details of key environmental issues, and how to improve the way we regulate the global marine environment to protect it from the impacts of ships.
The topics discussed included:
- marine plastic litter from ships, including garbage record books on ships 100-400 GT, transportation of plastic pellets (nurdles), marking of fishing gear
- air emissions, including discharges from exhaust gas cleaning systems, ship board incineration, development of NOx code, and more
- carriage of heavy fuel oil as bunkers and black carbon emissions in the Arctic
- changes to requirements around carriage of chemicals in bulk
- ballast water management topics
- biofouling guidelines review, and implementation of Antifoul Systems ban on use of cybutryne.
Read more about the IMO PPR 9 meeting
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Combatting the growth of global marine plastic
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The recent International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) Sub-Committee meeting (mentioned above) included in-depth discussions on marine plastic litter.
Maritime NZ's team were involved in the conversation looking at ways to reduce the industrys contribution to plastic pollution, which some scientists believe could outweigh the oceans fish population by 2050. Specific topics covered included the use of garbage record books on ships weighing between 100-400 GT, the transportation of plastic pellets (nurdles), the marking of fishing gear, and recording losses.
All those matters, and more will be discussed further and could be adopted in the coming years at IMO meetings. Maritime NZ will soon turn to New Zealand's industry for comment and guidance on the IMOs plan, and how it can contribute to reducing marine plastic litter from ships.
Find out more about the IMOs marine plastic litter strategy and action plan
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Prepare for winter boating
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Were reminding recreational watercraft users that winter boating has unique challenges.
The days are shorter, temperatures cooler and the weather can be more unpredictable. Senior Adviser Recreational Boating and Common Compliance, Matt Wood says.
With the shorter days, you should plan your trip accordingly. Daylight is always the safest time to be on the water, and at this time of year there are fewer hours than the height of summer.
Lower temperatures also increase the hypothermia risk, so having the correct safety equipment, including warm clothing, is important.
"Poor visibility adds to the risks out on the water after dark," he says.
If in doubt dont go out, there is nothing wrong with cancelling due to potentially risky conditions, says Matt.
Matt says knowing the following five rules will keep people safe on the water.
Wear a life jacket at all times, leave the beers behind while on the water, take two waterproof ways to call for help, be a responsible skipper and check the marine forecast.
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Knowing the risks can avoid dangerous accidents
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Maritime NZ says an incident on Lake Wakatipu last year shows how a planned day of fun can go horribly wrong, in an instant.
A Queenstown man was sentenced following the incident in February last year when a child was seriously injured during a day out on his boat.
Maritime NZs Southern Compliance Manager, Domonic Venz says the incident highlights the impact of incorrect decision-making.
In high pressure situations it is critical skippers understand how to avoid situations that can put themselves, their passengers or others at risk, he says.
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Commercial operators: reminder to update details
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Wed like to ensure we have your correct contact and vessel details.
If you've recently sold or purchased a vessel and haven't advised us, please fill out a Change of Vessel Status form and email it to operators@maritimenz.govt.nz. Alternatively, you can call 0508 672 378 and well help update your vessel details.
If your contact details have changed, please let us know by emailing accounts.receivable@maritimenz.govt.nz or calling 0508 22 55 22.
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Are there any particular topics or safety issues you'd like us to explore? We want to make sure our content is as relevant and interesting as possible, so if there's something you'd like to read about, we'd love to know.
Please email us at MaritimeCSE@maritimenz.govt.nz with ' SeaChange suggestions' as the subject line. |
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