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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MTA PRESIDENT REPORTS POSITIVE PROGRESS L et me first thank Alan Moore of Marine Business Systems for his services to the MTA over the years and I'm sure we will continue to see him represented and involved in the future with not only the MTA, but the marine industry as a whole. I'd also like to thank Margaret Wind for taking on the role of Executive Officer for the MTA. It is going to take some time to get all the changes that Marg and the Executive Committee have identified, instigated and running effectively. The Committee will be supporting Marg in this role and by this time next year we expect to be able to report on continued significant changes. Our revamped website www.marinetransport.co.nz is now up and running. Do please have a good look around the site and give us your feedback with recommendations. It is envisaged that our website is very much a "live" document which will be updated regularly and that further, it will be a portal for both our regular members to utilise for information and communication, and at the same time a place where potential members can contact us. The website, along with our email newsletters, will be our main point of contact with members, so it is vital you as members use and value the facility. One significant benefit we will have up and running shortly is a 24/7 helpline hotline for members. With upcoming changes with regard to MOSS and QOLs and the possible consequence of less or no support from your previous SSM company, such a service may prove invaluable for some of our smaller members. The Association will be on call to provide professional advice and assistance when you need it. More will be posted on our website in due course and in our newsletters as this is developed. The changes to MOSS and QOL's, scheduled to take effect next year, are probably the most far-reaching and significant changes we have experienced in industry for the last decade. We all need to be well prepared for them. This has obviously taken up a lot of time for the Association as we have lobbied, and will continue to, for sensible changes to the new legislation and regulations on your behalf. We are well aware that some of these changes are complicated but it is vitally important you know how these changes will affect your organisation. The changes to the professional qualifications will affect all organisations at all levels, and for those smaller operators out there it is important you know where your qualifications will stand you once the new qualifications take effect. It is somewhat confusing without a doubt, but the end result once the process and all competencies have been approved, will make for a far more improved, simplified and fair system. To date, only four competencies for entry level qualifications have been approved by the Director, namely: Skipper Restricted, Qualified Deck Crew, Marine Engineer Class 6, and Master Yacht < 24m Coastal. If you are in any confusion over how these changes affect you do get in touch with us. Also, last year I alluded to the MTA's involvement in the Sector Reference Group for Maritime New Zealand in their Funding Review. The SRG is comprised of all the different sectors representing the marine industry in New Zealand, and the MTA is recognised as significant player in this group. This review considered in depth how Maritime NZ presently funds its services, the cost of delivering those services and includes recommended changes to ensure its budget is accurate. Further, that it delivers within that new budget. The SRG involvement with the review finished in June of this year and the full report JEREMY WARD, PRESIDENT, NEW ZEALAND MARINE TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION should be out for public consultation imminently. It is fair to say however, the SRG did not always agree between themselves in respect of division of some of the fees, charges and levies, let alone with the direction Maritime NZ wished to take. From this review we will undoubtedly and unfortunately see increased marine charges in the future, but you can rest assured if MTA was not represented in this group, our fees would be considerably more than where they may now end up. One of the ancillary upsides to our involvement with this SRG group has been the formation of a new over arching industry lobby group representing all sectors of the marine industry. In essence, the SRG members have decided to form their own terms of reference and a new organisation, called the New Zealand Maritime Forum, so that it may represent the Marine Industry as a whole. We have representation on this new Group, with myself representing the MTA and restricted limits vessels, Keith Ingram representing commercial operators and Michael Fitchett of Fullers Auckland, representing commercial passenger operators restricted limits. With While not designed to take over from any sector's organisation, rather to be a forum in which the larger collective issues facing our maritime industry the involvement of all other marine sectors including International, Container Shipping, Fishing, Coastal, Interisland, NZ Marine, Port Authorities, and Adventure Tourism, with all bases covered, this new group could well be one of the most powerful lobby groups in New Zealand and most beneficial for the bigger issues that may face our industry as a whole. This group met for the first time in September and agreed to a new terms of reference. It is not designed to take over from any sector's organisation, rather to be a forum in which the larger collective issues facing our maritime industry maybe addressed. It also invited the Associate Minister of Transport to attend a presentation together with other MoT officials and Maritime NZ management officials. manufacturers of marine aluminium windows and doors Specialist Ph 09 438 6884, Fax 09 438 6852, Email sales@seamac.co.nz 11 Finlayson St, Whangarei. November/December 2012 Professional Skipper 73 VIP.S77