The safety of Southland’s and New Zealand’s commercial fishing fleet is under scrutiny as Maritime New Zealand said it is implementing changes to its safe ship management system following the release yesterday of a Transport Accident Investigation Commission report into the tragedy that claimed six lives on May 13, 2006. According to the report the Kotuku was subject to safety inspections for its role as a commercial fishing boat for all but the first three years of its 43-year life but problems were not picked up.
The report also indicates that the commercial pressures and a culture that excuses shortcomings appeared to have permeated both the inspection system and the under-24m fishing fleet at the expense of good seamanship, safety and lives. Bluff Fisherman’s Shore Station operator Meri Leask said the findings had caused ripples across the industry.
Based on the report Maritime New Zealand had adopted had made several changes immediately after the tragedy. Maritime New Zealand was continuing to work closely with the Bluff fishing community to raise awareness of safety issues before the muttonbird season.
