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
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MARITIME NEW ZEALAND SKIPPER IGNORED SAFETY RULES An experienced Auckland skipper was convicted and fined more than $5000 on August 29 for deliberately ignoring basic maritime safety rules. Melville John Bolton, aged 73, of Mt Roskill, was convicted and fined $4000 and ordered to pay court costs of $1356 following his conviction on January 13 of operating a vessel in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk under section 65 of the Maritime Transport Act. The conviction followed an investigation by Maritime New Zealand into an incident on the Hauraki Gulf on March 14, 2009, in which the ferry Seaway II had to take emergency evasive action on a scheduled service from Waiheke Island to Auckland to avoid a collision with the yacht Classique, skippered by Bolton. (See the March/April issue of Professional Skipper.) Bolton had ignored repeated blasts on the ship's whistle by the master of the Seaway II, Mike Pignéguy, who was attempting to warn Bolton the Classique was about to cut dangerously close across the ferry's path. Alarmed that a collision was imminent, Pignéguy was forced to slow rapidly and put the Seaway II into reverse to allow the Classique to pass close across his bow and down the starboard side. Bolton admitted he had deliberately ignored the maritime collision prevention rules, as he had assumed the ferry would alter course to port. He argued at the hearing that a customary body of law existed that enabled him to use his own experience and judgment to assess the risk of a collision, despite the existence of the Maritime Rules. The District Court judge rejected his argument. Maritime NZ's manager of maritime investigations, Steve van der Splinter, said the incident illustrated the danger of skippers ignoring international safety rules and assuming other skippers would take the right course of action when confronted with a potentially dangerous collision situation. "It's only down to the quick thinking and skill of the master of the Seaway II that this incident did not result in far more serious consequences," van der Splinter said. The large fine reflected the seriousness of the offence. NEW CHIEF CHOSEN FOR MARITIME NZ A senior government public servant, Keith Manch, is to succeed Catherine Taylor as chief executive and director of Maritime New Zealand. He will take up the position in early December. Manch, a former deputy secretary at the Department of Internal Affairs, is currently chief executive and registrar of the Real Estate Agents Authority. He managed the independent to New Zealand's gambling regulations and the ministry's performance and productivity programme. "I am delighted the authority has been able to find an outstanding replacement for Catherine Taylor," said the chairman of the Maritime NZ Authority, David Ledson. He said Taylor had achieved a great deal during her five-year tenure. "We are confident Keith has the enthusiasm, energy and skills to build on these foundations." Manch is an alumni of the New Zealand Government Advanced Leadership Programme and has attended advanced management programmes at the Wharton School and Harvard University in the United States. KEEP EPIRB BEACONS ON People using an emergency locator beacon must leave it on once it's activated, says the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand. This applies whether the emergency occurs at sea or on land. EPRIB batteries are designed for prolonged use and should work for several days unless they are faulty, says Keith Allen, a senior search officer with the centre. Some beacons also require at least two passes by orbiting satellites to get an accurate positional fix, he says. "If the beacon is turned off after activation, it may be missed by the second satellite pass. This makes it much more difficult for rescuers to pinpoint the exact location of the beacon and home in on the signal. "The key message is, if you need to use your beacon in an emergency, switch it on and leave it on until someone tells you to turn if off. Once the beacon is activated it could take from a few hours to several days for help to arrive. So you need to be prepared to survive until help comes." LIAISON ADVISOR HAS TOURISM BACKGROUND After years working in the passenger sector, Mark Thompson has taken on the role of Maritime New Zealand's industry liaison advisor for the North Island. He will provide education, training and support to operators and maintain a key link between the regulator and the industry. Keith Manch regulation of the real estate sector and lead its programme to increase public confidence in the industry, improve professional standards and provide consumer protection. He is currently leading the government's Compliance Common Capability Programme, which includes developing a guide to effective compliance organisation design. Manch has over 20 years experience in public service, including driving transformational change programmes and working effectively in a complex regulatory environment. During his time with Internal Affairs, he implemented major changes 66 Professional Skipper November/December 2011 Thompson says his background balances his South Island counterpart Darren Guard's expertise. "Darren's been a really good mentor and great at helping me get up to speed. We complement each other, as I have a passenger vessel background and Darren has a fishing vessel background. It works well." In his previous role, Thompson was firstly a skipper with Black Cat Cruises in Lyttelton and Akaroa, then had a three-year gap before returning to the company as engineering and safe ship management manager. During his "gap" years he headed for Europe and joined the crew of a 45m superyacht for six months as chief engineer. Then came 18 months with a 138m superyacht, skippering three 12m tenders. Mark Thompson During his first few months with Maritime NZ he has given presentations to the industry, helped formulate guidelines for thrill rides and dolphin swimming operations, and helped operators understand the SSM system. A key part of his role is supporting operators to improve their