Maritime NZ

New Zealand approves Oil Pollution Levy for 2019-22

New Zealand’s Cabinet has approved the mid-point review of the Oil Pollution Levy (OPL) to reflect updated risk and to ensure Maritime NZ can deliver on the current Marine Oil Spill Readiness and Response Strategy. The OPL funds New Zealand’s maritime oil pollution preparedness and response system.

Maritime NZ consulted with the maritime, oil and gas industries, on three options as part of the recent OPL mid-point review.

Maritime NZ Director, Keith Manch, says the majority of submissions...

https://safety4sea.com/new-zealand-approves-oil-pollution-levy-for-2019-22/

Cold water reduces survival times, warns Maritime NZ

In view of the upcoming Easter holidays, Maritime New Zealand reiterated the need for boaties to plan ahead and factor in the dangers posed by cold water and air temperatures.

Recreational Boating Lead for Maritime NZ, Baz Kirk, said survival times are reduced in the cold and boaties need to know the marine weather conditions before they hit the water.

In water, the body loses heat 20 to 30 times faster than it does in air. Some life-jackets provide a little bit of insulation, but you don’t want...

https://safety4sea.com/cold-water-reduces-survival-times-warns-maritime-nz/

New Zealand: High Court interprets rules on maritime pilots licences

Maritime NZ welcomed the outcome of the High Court Declaratory Judgment that clarifies the requirements for pilot licences under the Maritime Rules. The New Zealand Maritime Pilots Association and the New Zealand Merchant Service Guild sought the declaratory judgment after Maritime NZ indicated an experienced mariner who did not hold a Master certificate could enter a training programme to become a Marine Pilot.

Master certificates are issued in New Zealand and overseas in accordance with the...

https://safety4sea.com/new-zealand-high-court-interprets-rules-on-maritime-pilots-licences/

New Zealand: Four recreational boating fatalities so far in 2018

Maritime NZ, New Zealand’s shipping safety agency, released drowning statistics related to recreational boating, noting a significant progress with only four boating fatalities in 2018 compared to previous years. The agency provided simple advice for boaties to help keep that number down.

Maritime NZ Director, Keith Manch, said each year about 19 or 20 recreational boaties die on the water, with there being a sudden spike in fatal accidents at the end of the year.

What we think happens is boaties...

https://safety4sea.com/new-zealand-four-recreational-boating-fatalities-so-far-in-2018/

New Zealand: Captain fined and removed from position after found drunk

The Captain of the Panama-registered oil and chemical tanker ‘Pegasus’ was fined $1,000 and removed from his position for exceeding the alcohol limit in New Zealand waters, prior departing New Plymouth on the evening of December 11.

According to data provided by Maritime NZ, New Plymouth pilots became concerned at Mr Saurabh Kumar Singh’s behaviour when they boarded SG Pegasus to help guide the tanker out of New Plymouth Harbour. The pilots contacted Maritime NZ’s local Maritime Officer who...

https://safety4sea.com/new-zealand-captain-fined-and-removed-from-position-after-found-drunk/

New Zealand: Medical and eyesight requirements for seafarers

Maritime NZ, New Zealand’s shipping regulatory agency informed seafarers who are applying for or renewing a certificate of competency or proficiency, or for those they want to use a ring-fenced certificate, that they need to prove that medical fitness and eyesight meet the required standards.

Requirements for ring-fenced certificates

If you’re one of the seafarers who ring-fenced their ticket(s), you will also need a medical certificate to keep working. The medical certificate will be due two...

https://safety4sea.com/new-zealand-medical-and-eyesight-requirements-for-seafarers/

Maritime NZ seeks $800,000 compensation for family of killed seafarer

Maritime NZ, New Zealand’s maritime safety agency, is seeking a compensation of $812,500 for the family of a Filipino seafarer who lost his life from a gas cylinder explosion onboard the cruise ship ‘Emerald Princess’ in February 2017.

The Princess Cruise Lines Limited is facing charges for the death of Allan Navales that occurred on February 2017. Maritime New Zealand demands the Cruise Line to pay the amount of $800.000 for the family of the deceased, citing loss of income as his wages were a...

https://safety4sea.com/maritime-nz-seeks-800000-compensation-for-family-of-killed-seafarer/

Skipper fined over ferry grounding in Wellington

A skipper has been fined $1,688 after speeding and grounding the passenger ferry ‘City Cat’, according to data provided by Maritime New Zealand. The ferry grounded at 17 knots, in a 5 knot area (31 km/h in a 9 km/h area), on a rock at Karaka Bay on 16 April 2017. Maritime NZ Central Region Compliance Manager, Michael-Paul Abbott, said the skipper did not have the correct navigational charts, did not maintain proper look-out and had repeatedly traveled at excessive speed prior to the grounding.

Th...

https://safety4sea.com/skipper-fined-over-ferry-grounding-in-wellington/

Maritime NZ considers changing seafarer certification fees

Maritime NZ, New Zealand’s shipping safety agency, announced the opening of a consultation on 6 November, on changes to the maritime levy and fees. Among others, the agency is considering changing seafarer certification fees that currently range from $372 to $1105 to a single fee of $368, with the balance from the Maritime Levy. The review seeks to ensure that the appropriate funding is in place for the next six years.

Maritime NZ is primarily looking for feedback on four key things in this...

https://safety4sea.com/maritime-nz-considers-changing-seafarer-certification-fees/

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