Navigation Safety Review raises big issues for the Government

“Maritime New Zealand’s Coastal Navigation Safety Review Report is an important snapshot of the safety of large ships (SOLAS) around the New Zealand coast. It deals with the safety of people as well as the safety of the environment and even touches on the significance of the financial well-being of ship operators.” said Annabel Young, Executive Director, NZ Shipping Federation

The Federation believes that the report shows that the SOLAS ships operated from and in New Zealand, known as coastal shipping, are operating in a safe way and no change is needed in respect of their operation.

“The reports makes it clear that the ratification of the Maritime Labour convention (MLC) is long overdue. Only when the MLC is ratified will Maritime NZ be able to inspect and enforce the labour conditions on international ships visiting our ports. These standards are set by the International Labour Organisation and it is the government’s role to ensure compliance in our waters. The report paints a picture of exhausted workers on international voyages making mistakes as they move around the New Zealand coast, going from port to port” said Ms Young

“For the sake of safety, New Zealand needs to have a tough reputation when it comes to Port State Control (PSC) inspections but the Federation believes that we are not doing enough inspections. Too many ships that arrive into New Zealand ports are not even inspected for safety breaches.”

“The report strengthens the case for a greater focus on PSC inspections of foreign ships to ensure that the ship and its equipment are safe in our waters. PSC inspections are done under the mandate of the International Maritime Organisation. People tend to think of equipment in terms of rudders, pumps and cranes but the report makes it clear that these foreign ships may not even have working radios, an accurate compass, up-to date charts or up to date navigational information.”

ENDS

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