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. SPOT ON KEITH! Dear Sir Spot on Keith! I have just read your editorial in your latest issue of Skipper and have to say that apart from Maritime NZ, I do not think you will be hearing any argument from the commercial and boating sectors. This decision is just outrageous. How can they make such decisions when the facts are as clear as their noses on their faceless faces? This would not have happened in the days of MSA when we had Tony Legge and Mike Eno in charge of investigations. Sadly it sounds like we have a cosy retirement slot for ex-coppers who have no understanding of the sea and its laws. Sack the lot I say. Craig Anderson, Auckland ROYAL COMMISSIONS – SCARY STUFF Dear Sir With a sense of trepidation we ship, yacht and boat designers are watching carefully the outcome of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the collapse of the CTV building and others in Christchurch CBD following the March 14, 2011 earthquake. Its investigation into the failure of the CTV building includes evidence gathered from a range of sources, including building owners, engineers and tenants, as well as eye witnesses to the collapse of the building. Night after night we observe on television the pressure under which the building designers and engineers are put by both the Royal Commissioners and the lawyers of family members tragically lost. Did they know that the building had been re-entered after someone said it was safe? What authority did any safety inspector have to determine the final grading for the building? Was his or her assessment of the visible cracks valid? Etcetera, etcetera. I recently visited HMNZS Canterbury tied up alongside in Wellington. This is a ship that has been the subject of numerous design and post-build investigations, especially in the area of seaboat storage. Tragically, a sailor Byron Solomon, lost his life during the routine launching of a seaboat from that ship. Launching and recovering seaboats is an operation that Navy ships carry out almost every day. On that day in October 2007 a combination of occurrences, related to equipment and events, resulted in a fatal accident. In August 2011, four years after this tragedy, Coroner Brandt Shortland found that his wider family's long-held view that the loss of life was foreseeable and avoidable, had resulted in part from the Navy's "make-it-work" culture. He linked the tragedy to the haste with which the $177 million ship was rushed into service. By highlighting the ramifications and similarities of a Royal Commission into land-based building design and engineers responsibilities, I feel a sense of déjà vu. On September 10, 2008 an eminent naval architect, John Coles, reported on the safety and functionality of HMNZS Canterbury. In his report, page 21, he said he had considerable concern about its sea boats being located in open alcoves port and starboard, some three metres above the waterline. He went on to highlight that the loss and damage to the ship's RHIBs on a routine passage in Sea State 5/6 was not surprising and had already been the subject of a naval court of inquiry in July the previous year. The Coles report then went on to say, "we understand a design solution is being developed to provide protection to the sea boats in their alcoves." Following my reminding the Minister for Defence, Hon Dr Wayne Mapp, of these assurances some years later, he responded; "I can therefore assure you that the recommendations of the Coles review in relation to Canterbury are indeed being expedited." Two further years downstream and the configuration for storing and launching seaboats off HMNZS Canterbury remain the same, with the same inherent risk of losing capital equipment overboard in relatively benign sea states. Or heaven forbid, we may witness more tragic loss of lives due to government and ship operators' procrastination. I've kept copies of related correspondence, because just like the CTV building collapse, when push comes to shove, the 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 November/December 2012 Professional Skipper 3