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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LETTERS Letters to the editor are encouraged from readers who wish to say nice things, raise an industry concern or even get something off their chest. Letters are published in good faith and may be abridged if too verbose or on the edge of being libellous. In fact, in 15 years we have only refused to publish two letters. For this reason, while we will protect an author's identity if requested by "name withheld on request", letters must be clearly marked by name and address, signed or emailed as verification of authenticity. Letters not clearly signed may not see the light of day. NO FRIGATE Dear Sir My first copy of Professional Skipper arrived, and as an ex Navy guy 58/68, I was surprised to read that we had two frigates called Endeavour and Canterbury. I served on the Endeavour II and did four trips to the ice. Endeavour III ain't no frigate, she is a Korean built merchant designed tanker. The Canterbury is a military version of a North Sea ferry built in Holland. Perhaps you need an ex-navy person to proofread the Navy News. I enjoy your magazine, and used to get it from our library, now I subscribe. Larry Grooby, Wairoa Larry, first a big welcome as a valued subscriber. Now as an old salt you will by now know just how hard it is to get good labour with a maritime knowledge. Yes, sadly some stuff slips through the cracks but when it happens I am always confident that we will have old salts such as yourself who will straighten up the game. By the way I too served on HMNZS Endeavour II and yes, the latest HMS Endeavour III has been one of the most successful ships of the RNZN. My thanks. Ed… SINBIN LOONIES Dear Sir I am still chuckling at your latest editorial. Which reminded me that "never a truer word said in jest" only I do not believe you were speaking in jest. One of the problems is that for recreational boaties we have no rules, no licence, no registration and no need for training, so why do you expect them to understand? They won't and don't! As long as people can buy expensive boats and turn the key and go with no knowledge of the rules, the problem will remain. So commercial operators will need to get used to it. Your concerns about the deteriorating standards of professional mariners is valid; something that will continue as long as IMO continue to recognise the qualifications from nations of convenience. Sadly it all comes down to cost or companies trimming the costs to a level where safety is now at risk. Pay peanuts and get monkeys. A challenge for Maritime New Zealand maybe! Maybe not. I am not even sure they still employ professional mariners these days. Sir you publish an excellent publication, one that is much needed and long may it continue. Captain David Jensen, Marlborough Sounds LAST STRAW Dear Sir Since receiving the letter from Maritime New Zealand concerning the introduction of fees I have been considering my position as an Authorised Person for Maritime NZ. The Safe Operating Plan system was sold to this industry by Maritime NZ as a simple set of rules which included minimum safety standards which must be met by all commercial vessels, and that this would be checked by local experienced and responsible industry representatives. This was because there had been loss of life in this sector of industry and it had largely ignored safety standards of any kind. These objectives have been met. There have been no incidences of harm in this sector of the industry for several years. Unfortunately the auditing and checking of these vessels has devolved mainly to the large commercial surveying companies with only a couple of industry representatives nationally. The fees charged by those survey companies are huge, for what is, after all, a warrant of fitness for a fishing boat. Now Maritime NZ wants to add further fees. These fees are greater than that whicah I charge for the inspection of the vessel, checking of the safety equipment, and production of a Safe Operational Plan for the client. This, for a few simple computer strokes. The necessity of a Safe Operational Plan for this sector of the fishing industry is to my mind, and I'm not alone, surplus to requirements. In my experience the SOP is filed away and never used. Of all the operators I have rechecked, only two or three have ever filled out those parts of the SOP they are meant SUBSCRIBE NOW! ■ $65.00 1 year – includes NZ Workboat Review 2013 Be sure to get your copy of Professional Skipper direct by mail Please include NZ Workboat Review for 2007 @ $10.50 available now Please include NZ Workboat Review for 2006 @ $5.00 available now ■ $125.00 2 year – includes NZ Workboat Review 2013 & 2014 ($105 Australia + Asia, $145 Rest of World) $65.00 1 year – includes NZ Workboat Review 2009 ($98 Australia + Asia, $135 Rest of World) $125 2 years – includes NZ Workboat Review 2009 & 2010 Please include NZ Workboat Review 2008 @ $10.50 available now Please include NZ Workboat Review 2007 @ $5.00 available now Name _______________________________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Postal code ________ Email _______________________________________________________________________ ENCLOSED IS A CHEQUE FOR ______________________________________________________ ■ Please include NZ Workboat Review 2012 @ $11.50 available now ■ Please include NZ Workboat Review 2010 & 2011 @ $5.00 each ■ Please include NZ Workboat Review 2008 & 2009 @ $2.50 each Visa/Mastercard (other cards not accepted) Card Number _______________________________________ Card Name ___________________________________________________________________ Signature _________________________________________________ Expiry date _____/_____ GST No: 68-684-757 Be in the draw for a fine oil painting of the NZ barque Louisa Craig by marine artist Paul Deacon. Valued at $1000. www.marineartgallery.net.nz May/June 2012 Professional Skipper 3