4 October 2004

Fatigue risks too great

Following the release of accident investigation reports into two groundings in the Marlborough Sounds this year the Maritime Safety Authority has called for boat owners, operators and crew to pay more attention to the issue of fatigue.

The grounding of the Kathleen G in May and the Physalie in June both resulted from skippers falling asleep due to fatigue.

“Fortunately no-one was injured in these accidents but our research shows fifty percent of seafarers were fatigued on at least one of their last five trips and already this year there have been five accidents where fatigue has been a major contributing factor,” says MSA Manager Strategic Analysis and Planning Sharyn Forsyth.

“The fishing industry by nature has a highly demanding physical workload but not managing fatigue properly is clearly too great a risk to take.

“The personal and financial costs of accidents can be devastating so it’s clear that good safety practices make good business sense.”

Information on fatigue management will be included in a Health and Safety booklet MSA is publishing this year as well as in industry guidelines being produced early next year.

Fatigue management is also part of nationwide seminars being run for commercial operators.

ENDS

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