The only specialised marine publication in Oceania that focuses on the maritime industry, from super yachts to small craft to large commercial ships, including coastal shipping, tugs, tow boats, barges, ferries, tourist, sport-fishing craft
Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/131029
WATERFRONT BUSINESS In brief… Quota ignored Central South Island Fish and Game field officer Graeme Hughes says that since December last year 18 offence notices have been given to anglers on the Tekapo and Pukaki canals. The Mt Cook Alpine Salmon hatchery at Ohau released 36,000 salmon smolt in 2011, resulting in the Waitaki hydro canals becoming a hot spot for easy fishing. Anglers abiding by the recreational fishing laws have confronted rule-breakers fishing the same stretch using illegal methods, or ignoring the two-salmon quota. Some confrontations have turned into shouting matches, prompting the presence of Fish and Game rangers patrolling the canals. Lazilas Group The financial worries plaguing Navimo are over, with the tender of European manufacturer and distributor, Lazilas Group, accepted in November last year. Navimo is the parent company of Max Power (bow thrusters) and Lofrans (winches and windlasses). As the New Zealand distributor for Max Power and Lofrans, CEO Mike Harris of Lighthouse Marine Equipment says they are excited about the future under the experienced ownership of the Lalizas Group. Fiordland's new wonders Scientists from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric research and the Department of Conservation have located and sampled specimens of sea pen previously unknown to science, hidden in the depths of remote Fiordland. The sea pens, so called because of their resemblance to old-fashioned quill pens made from bird's feathers, were discovered last month at a depth of about 80 metres in Acheron Passage, near Dusky Sound. "We found two specimens of two different species," says NIWA Marine Biologist and remote operated vehicle operator Dr Sean Handley, "one of which is completely new to us." Only Doubtful and Dusky Sounds have been explored so far, says Handley. "It is an important area to study, because it is geologically unique and largely undisturbed by human activity." Sea pens are coral-like organisms that colonise the seabed and ledges by burying themselves in soft sediment. At night, sea pens are luminous, which helps to attract the phytoplankton they feed on. Handley says sea pen colonies generally indicate an unpolluted, undisturbed environment. 40 Professional Skipper May/June 2013 Beacon misuse wastes time A 60-YEAR-OLD male tramper in south Westland activated his personal locator beacon because he was running late – wasting time, money and potentially placing others at risk. The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand called the Solid energy helicopter from Greymouth and located the man around 4.30pm on February 7, only to discover he was unhurt. Maritime New Zealand's General Manager of Rescue and Response Services, Nigel Clifford, said the incident tied up a helicopter at a cost of around $10,000 to taxpayers and more importantly meant that the aircraft was unavailable for genuine emergencies. Penalties for the misuse of beacons range from a formal warning to an infringement notice penalty of $250, and prosecution, which carries a maximum fine of $30,000. Radio regulations are administered by Radio Spectrum Management, part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Regulations permit the use of emergency distress beacons by general users, but are clear that beacons should only be used in emergency situations. Maritime New Zealand is considering what action to take with regard to this specific incident. "We recommend everyone going tramping carry a beacon – and that they register their beacon," Clifford said. "While the decision to activate a beacon is one that only the person carrying it can make, it is not a decision that should be taken lightly. It is certainly not a taxi service." Beacon registration is a legal requirement and Personal Locator Beacons should be registered, without charge, at www.beacons.org.nz SHIPPING LANES A NO GO THE GOVERNMENT HAS no plans for compulsory shipping lanes in New Zealand waters, despite a number of near misses since last year's MV Rena disaster. 13 incidents involving ships were reported to the authorities in documents obtained under the Official Information Act in August 2012. The most serious case reported was 193m cargo ship AAL Brisbane found to be 600m off course and headed for the Pencarrow Rocks in Wellington Harbour. The harbour pilot came onboard, noticed the error and averted disaster, but the incident instigated an emergency meeting held by Maritime New Zealand. Among the number of reported near misses since October last year, in four separate incidents the Interislander ferry Kaitaki has been forced to alter course to avoid other vessels, including a gas tanker that failed to give way in the Cook Strait. According to John Riding, senior partner of Marico Marine, ships are cutting too close to land and it is Interislander ferry Kaitaki only a matter of time before another ship is grounded, unless the Government introduces a system where authorities plot GPS guided routes. The president of Shipping New Zealand, Captain John Robinson said that New Zealand has a low number of incidents compared to the amount of shipping, and that for compulsory shipping lanes to improve safety then they would need to be accepted by most lines. Greg Steed, chairman of New Zealand Shipper's Council, says the council would support a new system but would look into the costs involved, due to concerns that these could be passed on to skippers. "There needs to be good justification for that to happen," he said. If shipping lane regulations are reviewed The Ministry of Transport will analyse issues and evidence with Maritime New Zealand before making a decision.