Media Release

28 April 2006

Search and Rescue Council Releases Independent Review

The Search and Rescue Council (SAR) today released an independent review into the search and rescue operation for ZK-HTF, the EC-120 helicopter in which Michael Erceg and his passenger Guus Klatte died in November 2005.

Dr Robin Dunlop, Chair of the SAR Council and Secretary for Transport, said the Council commissioned the review in December 2005.

“This independent review, into what was one of New Zealand’s largest and most complex search and rescue operations, provides the sector with the opportunity to learn from this operation and for further development of search and rescue activities in New Zealand.”

Dr Dunlop said the Council was determined that the sector would benefit from improvements made as a result of this review.

“The purpose of the review was not to allocate fault or to pre-empt or duplicate any other inquiry into this incident. Rather, this review was commissioned to look at this particular search and rescue operation and make recommendations on how improvements could be made within the search and rescue sector.

“The Search and Rescue Council has directed that a working group with appropriate search and rescue expertise examines the review and its recommendations with a view to implementing them as soon as is practicable “ Dr Dunlop said.

The Council would monitor progress, he added.

The full review is available for download from the following links:

- www.nzsar.org.nz/reports.html
- www.maritimenz.govt.nz
- www.transport.govt.nz/current/issues/

ENDS

© Scoop Media