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Previous 2011 newsletters of the NZMS Nautical website are archived here. Please scroll down to see previous issues. For the latest newsletter, click here latest newsletters. The newsletters of 2010 have now been deleted.

This newsletter will be prepared every two months and features news, views and interviews related to the nautical activity in New Zealand. If you have suggestions for content or story ideas, please email them to us, and we will develop the items into newsletter topics. Meantime we hope you enjoy reading this. Check back every two months for the updated version. Archive newsletters are also held on this website under their own heading.

Newsletter: October - December, 2011

DIARY YOUR DATES NOW FOR NZMS GRADUATION 2011

The New Zealand Maritime School Foreign Going graduation is to be held on Friday 25 November at 7pm at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Westhaven, Auckland. No details of the guest speaker have been confirmed yet, but students, familes and friends who maybe interested in attending this event are invited to contact the school for more details.

 Above: Disney’s Dream, launched in January year, has interior staterooms with “magic portholes” that show a live feed view of the ship’s real view outside.

BEST AMAZING CRUISE SHIPS

By Joanna Hall, The Age.

As demand for new ships, innovative facilities, and more exotic places to cruise continues to grow, the cruise industry remains in a constant state of change. As a result, each year sees additions to the list of new records and high seas “firsts”, from ships with revolutionary accommodation choices, to ships with unusual godmothers.

Here are seven record breakers and some curious world-firsts, which reinforce why cruising so fascinating. It all began in 2006 when cruising industry innovator, Royal Caribbean, placed an order for two mega-cruise ships with a Finnish shipyard. Called Project Genesis, these ships would launch a revolutionary new class for the line.

Costing a staggering $1.4 billion to build, Oasis of the Seas was first out of the blocks on December 5, 2009. Weighing 225,282 tons, she is 360 metres long, 64 metres wide, 65 metres high from the water line, and can whisk 5400-plus guests off to the Caribbean each week.

Innovations include a dramatic aqua theatre at the rear, which can accommodate 735 guests, a dining room which can seat over 3000 in one sitting, and a collection of neighbourhoods including Central Park, an open air space in the heart of the ship complete with live plants and trees.

Exactly a year after the launch of Oasis, however, she was joined by her twin sister, Allure of the Seas. Although both ships have identical superstructures, Allure turned out to be 50 millimetres longer, making her the world’s largest cruise ship.

2. World’s fastest cruise ship: Cunard’s Queen Mary 2

When she left Southampton on her maiden voyage on January 12, 2004, the Queen Mary 2 turned heads everywhere, and continues to do so wherever she cruises. In almost every detail, this “grand dame” of the high seas pays tribute to a golden age of ocean travel.

Spacious and elegant, she combines classic British heritage with nostalgia, opulence and style by way of her sweeping staircases, her grand ballroom, and her wrap around promenade deck. While her grandeur captured the imagination of cruise fans, however, and her list of “firsts” is impressive - the first Veuve Cliquot Champagne Bar and first planetarium at sea among them - the QM2 is a very modern ship.

Although her normal cruising speed is between 24 and 26 knots (48 km/h), this behemoth is capable of speeds of up to 30 knots (56 km/h), making her the fastest cruise ship in the world, thanks to an environmentally friendly plant with electricity generated by four huge diesel engines and two gas turbines.

3. World’s first residential cruise ship: The World

Launched in 2002, The World was the brainchild of Knut Kloster Junior, a legend in the cruise ship industry, and today it’s a privately owned residential community which literally floats around the globe.

Lavish from stern to bow, the ship comprises 165 residences from stylish studios to expansive three-bedroom apartments, and a palatial six-bedroom penthouse suite which can accommodate up to 12 people. And there’s plenty to keep the homeowners occupied in between exotic locales, with facilities including a spa by Banyan Tree, four primary restaurants, several cocktail lounges and bars, two swimming pools, and a full-size tennis court.

In the last nine years, The World has visited over 800 ports in around 140 countries. Such an indulgent lifestyle, however, comes at a price. In 2010, the ship sold 18 apartments and generated US $41 million in gross sales; four of them were valued at over US $5 million each.

4. World’s most luxurious ships: Seabourn Cruise Line’s Odyssey Class.

Seabourn Cruise Lines is another industry pioneer, and a company which has become accustomed to accolades. It has been judged the world’s best small ship cruise line three years in a row at Travel + Leisure’s annual awards, the last occasion two months ago, and best small ship cruise line in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice Awards in 2010.

The story began in 1998 with the launch of Seabourn’s first 208-guest all-suite ship, Seabourn Pride, described by one cruising expert as being “in a class by itself”. Then in 2009, the ante was upped in the luxury sector yet again with the introduction of the first of three new multi-million-dollar Odyssey class ships.

Larger than their older sisters, the yacht-like Odyssey, Sojourn and the new Quest, which launched in July, each carry 450 guests and have one of the highest ratios of space per guest in the cruise industry. That’s not all.

Pampered patrons are spoiled with a wealth of amenities, from ocean views and silver service, to a two-level spa with private villas and high end cuisine in collaboration with the legendary chef, Charlie Palmer. So much so that Odyssey and Sojourn were Cruise Critic Editors’ Top Pick for best in luxury in 2010.

5. World’s “greenest” cruise ships: Compagnie du Ponant’s Le Boréal and L’Austral

These stylish identical twins belong to a boutique fleet which hails from France. Established in 1988, the line’s yacht-like vessels cruise off-the-beaten-path destinations from Greenland and Antarctica, to the Maldives and the Middle East.

A key area of Ponant’s philosophy, however, is raising awareness while discovering more about our world. One way they achieve this is through enrichment programs, and inviting esteemed experts to speak on board such as the UNESCO spokesperson, Maud Fontenoy, who’s passion is safeguarding oceans and coastlines.

With the launch of two new ships in the past two years, however, Ponant has also increased its effort to reduce the company’seaffect the environment. Le Boréal and sister ship, L’Austral, are holders of the international Green Ship label, with a host of eco-friendly features including dynamic positioning, which protects the seabed through not dropping anchor, using electronic propulsion systems which are quiet and economic, and operating diesel engines which use marine diesel oil which is less polluting.

6. World’s busiest cruise port: Miami, Florida

As a tourist destination, Miami has many alluring attractions. From the glamorous art deco district of South Beach to the expansive watery wilderness of the Everglades National Park, it’s a city with multiple personalities coupled with the promise of year-round hot weather.

The city’s appeal, and its proximity to the islands of the Caribbean, Mexico and the eastern seaboard, however, are also reasons why Miami is the cruising capital of the world. Located just five minutes from downtown on Dodge Island, the Port of Miami is the eleventh largest cargo container port in the United States, handling many ships daily.

For many people taking Caribbean cruises, it is also often a start and/or end point for their trip. Over four million passengers pass through the port’s cruise terminals each year, and the newest two, D and E, boast some of the most modern facilities in the world, including high-tech security, VIP lounges, and airport-style conveyor belts for baggage.

7. World’s longest cruise: CruiseWest’s Spirit of Oceanus

In March 2010, CruiseWest’s flagship, the 120-guest Spirit of Oceanus, departed from Singapore on an epic 335 night cruise. Dubbed the longest voyage since Magellan in the sixteenth century, the petite 4,500 ton ship was set to circumnavigate the globe through to February 2011, visiting 24 ports of call in 59 countries.

Sadly the record breaking cruise was never completed. Six months into the voyage, having cruised through Asia, the Middle East and Europe, dumbfounded guests, a few of whom had paid up to $US233,995 ($A222,000) for the entire trip, were put ashore on September 9 after the ship arrived in Newfoundland, Canada.

CruiseWest was on the verge of financial ruin and thought to be undergoing a major restructure, possibly under new ownership. Just nine days later, however, the Seattle-based cruise line, which had been in operation for 60 years, closed its doors for good, and the Spirit of Oceanus was sold.

Curious cruising firsts

The first all suite-all balcony ship: Regent’s luxurious Seven Seas Mariner was launched in 2001 carrying just 700 guests. Two years later, the fleet welcomed Seven Seas Voyager; they are still the only cruise ships offering all-suite, all-balcony accommodation.

First real grass on a cruise ship: Celebrity Solstice was the first of five ships in a new class for Celebrity Cruises, introducing a number of “firsts” including a half acre of real grass on its upper deck. The fourth ship in the class, Silhouette, launched last month in Europe.

First real-time view portholes: Disney’s Dream, the line’s first new build in 13 years which launched in January year, has interior staterooms with “magic” portholes, showing a live feed view of the ship’s real view outside.

First female ship’s captain: Karin Stahre Janson, a mariner and self-described “tomboy” hailing from Sweden, took the helm of Royal Caribbean’s Monarch of the Seas back in 2007.

First ship within a ship: MSC’s Yacht Club, which is tucked away at the front of two of its ships, MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida, was introduced in 2008. It has superior suites with perks including a private concierge, private lift access, butler service and an exclusive pool and solarium complex.

First cruise to sell out in less than 30 minutes:The maiden voyage of the Queen Elizabeth 2, at right, from Southampton to Spain in October 2010, went on worldwide sale in April of the same year and sold out in 29 minutes and 14 seconds. It narrowly beat the QE2’s final voyage, another record breaker, which sold out in 36 minutes in June 2007.

First ship with a non-human godmother: Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, the world’s biggest cruise ship, has a unique godmother in the 3-D star of the popular Shrek movies, Princess Fiona.

Cruise with the most guests: It was inevitable that one of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class ships would set this record, and the honour goes to Oasis of the Seas, which left Port Everglades last April for a one-week Caribbean cruise with 6168 guests on board.
Story courtesy of ‘The Age’, Melbourne.

NEW CEO FOR MARITIME NEW ZEALAND

The Chairman of the Maritime New Zealand Authority, David Ledson, has announced the appointment of Keith Manch to the position of Chief Executive and Director of Maritime New Zealand (MNZ).

Mr Manch is currently the Chief Executive and Registrar of the Real Estate Agents Authority, a position he has held since January this year. In this role he has been responsible for managing the independent regulation of the real estate sector and leading its programme to increase public confidence in the industry, improve professional standards and provide consumer protection.

Concurrently, he is leading the whole of government Compliance Common Capability Programme which consists of the National Compliance Qualifications Project and a project to develop a guide to effective compliance organisation design.

He has extensive leadership experience and held a number of senior leadership positions in regulation, compliance and enforcement functions. Before his current role, he was Deputy Secretary, Regulation and Compliance at the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). While he was with DIA he played a leading role in a number of significant change initiatives, including, implementing major changes to the regulatory framework that governs gambling in New Zealand, and the DIA’s Performance and Productivity Programme.

Mr Manch will bring over 20 years experience in public service to this role as leader of a modern safety regulator, including considerable experience in regulation and compliance. He has demonstrated the ability to successfully drive through transformational change programmes and to work effectively in a complex regulatory environment.

“I am delighted the authority has been able to find an outstanding replacement for Catherine Taylor. She has achieved a great deal during her five-year tenure, leading a significant change programme inside MNZ and driving regulatory transformation outside it. We are confident that Keith has the enthusiasm, energy and skills required to build on these foundations and lead MNZ in working with the maritime sector to ensure that appropriate safety outcomes can be delivered,” Mr Ledson said.

Mr Manch is an alumni of the New Zealand Government Advanced Leadership Programme, has attended an advanced management programme at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and a number of programmes at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is a graduate of Victoria University.

He will take up the position of Chief Executive and Director of MNZ in early December.

TIME TO ACT NOW FOR AUCKLAND’S WHALES

The death of another Brydes whale due to a ship colliding with it in the Hauraki Gulf last month has caused outrage amongst users of the Gulf. AUT University Professor of Marine Tourism Mark Orams has had enough:

“We have been aware of this problem for over a decade now, and we know the solution, we must have ships slow down in the Hauraki Gulf” he said.

William Goodfellow, director of one of Auckland’s leading marine tourism companies, Explore NZ that runs Auckland’s Whale and Dolphin Safari, agrees and has serious concerns about the longer term viability of whale watching in the Hauraki Gulf.

“Our business takes thousands of visitors and local Aucklanders out into the Hauraki Gulf to see these whales each year, they are an absolute highlight of our trip and we are lucky enough to sight them regularly. However, we know, through the research we have supported onboard our vessel, that there are not many of these whales left, I am really concerned about this” he said.

Byrdes whales are the only great whale that is not migratory and they are semi-resident in the outer Hauraki Gulf. They grow to around 13 metres in length. Research conducted by university based scientists and supported by Explore NZ has confirmed that there are probably less than 50 individual Brydes whales that visit the Gulf and seldom more than a dozen or so in the area at a time. They forage relatively close to the surface and, unfortunately, are seldom able to detect or react to fast moving large ships approaching and departing from the Ports of Auckland.

“Research on ship strikes on whales from other parts of the world show that the incidence of ships hitting whales and the injuries and fatalities caused drop dramatically when ships are slowed to less than 10 knots” states Professor Orams. “It’s an easy thing to implement, the Auckland Harbour Master can change the speeds permitted for vessel travel in the Gulf, if the ships travel slower, there will be less dead whales, it’s that simple” he says.

Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf is a marine park popular with tens of thousands of boaties, and the sighting of Brydes whales is an exciting experience.

 Yachting New Zealand CEO David Abercrombie, who cruises the Hauraki Gulf himself, said that protecting the Brydes whales and the wildlife of the Gulf is a high priority for Auckland’s large sailing community. “Auckland is the City of Sails and the Hauraki Gulf has a reputation as one of the world’s greatest cruising grounds, it’s a favoured destination for many international blue-water yachts arriving here from overseas and there are hundreds of local yachts sailing the waters of the outer Gulf every summer weekend. For these sailors the opportunity to see whales in their own backyard is huge. It would be a tragedy if future generations of yachties did not have this privilege” he said.

Professor Orams is adamant that the time for talk is over, “action is needed now, the loss of even one more whale will continue to push this small local population towards extinction. As Aucklanders we should all want our kids and grand-kids to have the chance to experience Auckland’s own whales, unless the ships are slowed down we may not have that privilege”. 

Green light for next stage of Clifford Bay

The option of using Clifford Bay in Marlborough, shown at right, as base for ferry terminal operations will be further investigated, Transport Minister Steven Joyce has announced. 

“An independent report commissioned by the Ministry of Transport found that there is a financial and economic case for progressing Clifford Bay,” said Mr Joyce. “However, there is potential for cost variations that may yet undermine the economic and financial cases for the development. Before we make any final decisions about Clifford Bay we need a detailed evaluation and a full business case.”

The evaluation will look at the business case for Clifford Bay from a national perspective and will further investigate the engineering viability of the proposal. This work is required regardless of which development options may be considered to progress a terminal at Clifford Bay.

The business case must support the government’s goals of economic growth, productivity and value for money before the project would be confirmed as a viable development.

If the development goes ahead it would cut 30 minutes off the ferry trip between the North and South Islands; 50 minutes off the road trip from Wellington to Christchurch; and 80 minutes off the same rail journey.

“I have asked the Ministry of Transport to lead the further analysis and I expect that all key stakeholders will be involved,” says Mr Joyce.

MOSS Programme Manager appointed

MNZ has appointed a Programme manager to lead the maritime operator safety system (MOSS) team through the final stages of rule development and into planning for implementation.

John Oldroyd, shown at left, comes to MNZ with a strong background in transport regulation, having worked for the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) as National Manager Vehicles and, before that, National Manager Rail Regulation.

“Other previous roles have also given me extensive experience in programme management, including as director of a major regulatory transformation programme at NZTA,” said John.

He’s no stranger to implementing major legislative changes, having managed the implementation of two land transport rules, as well as overseeing Building Act changes at the Department of Building and Housing, and helping bring the changes into the business-as-usual work for the department.

John came to New Zealand from the UK in the mid-nineties, having specialised there in performance audit and evaluation - both at the National Audit Office, then in assessing advertising activity for a media auditing consultancy.

He continued his performance evaluation work in New Zealand at the Office of the Auditor-General and in Australia, at the Australian National Audit office, before returning to New Zealand for a range of high-level consulting roles.

MOSS holds particular attraction for John because of its emphasis on improving safety. “The MOSS role is about managing a programme of work with the outcome of lifting standards,” he says. “I have always had a passion for working to help improve safety and this links back to my work in rail and vehicles - and why I joined NZTA in the first place.”

John started his MOSS role at the beginning of August.

ASHIKA CONVICTION APPEAL SUCCESSFUL

Former Christchurch businessman John Jonesse, jailed for his role in the fatal sinking of a Tongan ferry, has returned home to New Zealand. After six months behind bars, Mr Jonesse left prison a free man last week having successfully appealed against his conviction.

Mr Jonesse, shown at left, was head of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia, which owned the Princess Ashika. The vessel sank during an overnight voyage from the Tongan capital Nuku’alofa to an outlying island in August 2009, killing 74 people.

Mr Jonesse was convicted on eight charges, including one count of manslaughter by negligence and five of sending an unseaworthy ship to sea, and sentenced to five years in jail. He lodged an appeal in April.

The Court of Appeal in Nuku’alofa has suspended the remainder of his prison term, saying the original sentence was manifestly excessive, the Matangi Tonga newspaper reported.

The Ashika’s captain and first mate are also appealing against their convictions, while Tonga’s solicitor-general was appealing against the “light” sentences they were given.

 THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT 

We continue to get good “traffic statistics” from NZMS Alumni members. Consistently, since May last year we have been receiving over 20,000 hits per month, and for September 2011, the latest stats are no different at 23,894 hits. Our record month of traffic is stiill June 2010, when we achieved 30,000 hits but traffic of over 20,000 hits shows good use and support. We watch those “stats” closely.  Google Analytics gives us very good data about site patronage, and this helps us plan the website to the best benefit of members.

The support shown by students and graduates from the NZMS courses give us a lot of confidence in building the Alumni, and we are delighted with the positive feedback we have received.  We are still pushing ahead to build membership too, so please keep telling your friends and colleagues about the NZMS Alumni website, and encourage them to join up…..And keep the feedback coming in. We appreciate each and every email we receive from members. We hope this newsletter keeps you up with the play….

Newsletter: August - October, 2011

 WOMEN TAKE CHARGE OF THE SHIP!

By James Wheeler

Zoltina-J Medwick-Daley (left), Martina Damonte and Jane Herron with Captain Sarah Breton (right) on the Pacific Pearl (at right). Photo / Sarah Ivey

The women running the Pacific Pearl superliner say they are rapidly changing an industry dominated by men. Captain Sarah Breton has been appointed Australasia’s first female cruise-ship skipper, one of only three women with such a role on major cruise ships anywhere in the world. She is joined by three other senior female officers - hotel manager Jane Herron, cruise director Zoltina-J Medwick-Daley and administration and revenue director Martina Damonte. After a brief handover period, Captain Breton officially took over the ship’s helm on July 12. She said she was ready to accept the challenge after previously spending two years with the ship. “I was on this ship when it was the Ocean Village for two years so I’m coming back on tour in a different guise, which is exciting,” said Captain Breton. “Growing up near the water, I always loved boats and the ocean, so it really does fulfil a lifelong ambition of mine to be a captain.”

Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises Australia, said the new captain has earned her position.

“It takes time to build up the necessary experience so rising to this position takes many years - there are no shortcuts.”

Ms Herron, who has been in the industry for 23 years, said it was great that four senior female officers could be found on one cruise ship.

“I’ve always said I’m a woman in a man’s world. Now it’s kind of become more of a woman’s world it’s amazing. Travelling to different ports every day and meeting so many people from around the world …Every morning you wake up and maybe you’re in a different country. “You never know what you’re going to expect from one day to the next - there are no mundane days.”

Ms Medwick-Daley was proud to be part of the rare group.

“It’s always been a boys’ club and to an extent it still is,” she said. “So when you have this many women in senior ranks on the ship, it really is a big coup for women in general and all over the world. It’s not a man’s world any more and this proves it.”

The 63,500-tonne Pacific Pearl was relaunched in Auckland in December after a $100 million renovation.

NAVY COULD BE PART OF PIRACY FIGHT

New Zealand navy ships could be deployed to help fight the “growing issue” of piracy in the Indian Ocean.

Prime Minister John Key concluded talks with his Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh, (shown at right), in New Delhi this week, saying that naval co-operation with India was “always possible” as part of a closer defence relationship with the nuclear-armed superpower. 

“It’s a growing issue that is of concern to everyone. If the waterways of the world aren’t safe, then that leads to a lot of different issues,” Mr Key said. “We have a lot of goods that we want to send around the world by ship. It [piracy] increases the insurance costs for our companies and it’s a serious issue for all of us, so it is a place where we can be more vigilant and we can work together.”

Dr Singh said the time had come for the two countries “to intensify co-operation and consultations on issues relating to the Asia Pacific region”.

New Zealand and India had a stake in ensuring the safety of sea lanes, of communications, and in combating piracy. Both countries had agreed to “explore possibilities for greater co-operation in these areas”, Dr Singh said.

A joint statement issued after the meeting said the two prime ministers had agreed to strengthen bilateral defence co-operation. Ship visits and staff college exchanges had already deepened bilateral defence co-operation to the benefit of both sides.

New Zealand has previously declined a request to send a navy frigate to fight piracy in international waters.

Mr Key said that, although it was possible a New Zealand ship could be sent at the request of India, initial steps would be more around the sharing of information.

MARITIME QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK REVISED

Maritime New Zealand has now completed the clean slate review of commercial qualifications and operational limits that it began in April 2009.

The outcome is a relevant qualifications and appropriate operational limits framework (QOLF) meets industry needs while ensuring the safety of vessels, their crew, passengers and cargo, and protection of the marine environment. The final framework is now available.

The implementation programme for the QOLF also includes implementation of the amendments to the maritime STCW Convention agreed in Manila in June 2010. The STCW Convention sets international standards for seafarer certification, training and fitness for duty of watchkeepers.

Maritime New Zealand’s QOL/Manila programme will now:

• amend existing Maritime Rules to take account of key changes - initially to give effect to the initial Manila agreements and later to reflect th e new QOLF
• carry out further consultation on the redrafted rules
• develop new syllabuses
• develop and implement new systems, processes (including on-line application processes) and documentation to support the new framework
• ensure Maritime New Zealand staff are ready to support the new framework.

Download the Qualifications and Operational Limits (QOL) framework [PDF: 1.39Mb, 86 pages]

QOL framework update — summary of changes (June 2011) [PDF: 164Kb, 2 pages]

Further informaton is available on this topic at industry topic three: Maritime Qualifications Revised.

WELLINGTON FERRIES SEEN AS POLLUTION PROBLEM

By Andrea Vance, business writer

Cook Strait ferries are burning toxic fuel, banned in many harbours around the world, and Interislander is considering switching to an even more polluting oil.

NIWA claims a single ferry visit to Wellington may pollute the air as much as all Wellington’s cars for a month.

The fuel oil pumped through the ships, which cruise through the waters of the Marlborough Sounds, produces high sulphur emissions known to cause acid rain and linked to cancer. ..and marine scientists say an oil spill could cause an environmental disaster, coating sea birds and animals in the sticky substance.

Experts have questioned why New Zealand has not ratified Marpol VI, an international agreement that would ban the use of high-sulphur fuel.

One oil industry expert, who did not want to be named, said he believed the ferries were responsible for 80 per cent of sulphurous gases over Wellington.

“We pay for sulphur to be removed from the fuel we use in our cars. The ferries sitting along Aotea Quay, the stuff that they are belching out would be illegal to put in a vehicle on the road that runs alongside it. There are regulations that govern vehicles on the road and there are no regulations whatsoever governing what they burn in the harbour.”

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, which uses low-sulphur diesel in its boats, said it had concerns about the use of high-sulphur fuels.

NIWA general manager of vessel operations Greg Foothead said: “Potentially, the ferries, every time they come in and out of the harbour, they probably pollute as much as all of the cars in Wellington for the whole of the month.

“The irony is we have reasonably strict emissions on vehicles but when it comes to shipping and other forms of transport we tend to turn a blind eye to it.”

He said fuel-oil spills are more difficult to clean up. “Unlike diesel fuel … heavy fuel doesn’t spread out, it just turns into globules. Some of the accidents overseas with major oil spills, it just ends up forming these big gloopy messes which wash up on beaches and cover animals.”

State-owned Interislander confirmed it was considering alternative fuels, including using unblended heavy fuel, biofuels and gas. Unblended heavy fuel is cheaper, but requires new facilities to be built.

“Interislander is a coastal shipping company in New Zealand, so we’re not directly affected by the rules in other countries. Of course, we do buy our ships and other equipment from overseas, and do take note of what’s happening offshore,” Interislander general manager Thomas Davis said. 

Newsletter: May-July 2011

TERRITORIAL WATERS OF LIBYA DECLARED WARLIKE OPERATIONS AREA

The Warlike Operations Area Committee, comprising the UK Chamber of Shipping, Nautilus International and RMT, has agreed that the territorial waters of Libya should be designated as a warlike operations area. This is in recognition of developments in Libya since the adoption of UN Resolution 1973 and, in particular, the participation of the UK in military activity in several coastal locations in Libya. The Agreement has been backdated to be effective as from Friday 18 March 2011.

Accordingly, the Chamber is making the following WOAC recommendations to members:

•         that they advise seafarers before they board a vessel if it is known that the vessel will proceed to the Warlike Operations Area
•         that seafarers already on board a vessel proceeding, or scheduled to proceed, to the Warlike Operations Area be given the opportunity to terminate their engagement at a scheduled port of call on the vessel’s itinerary if facilities for repatriation are available
•         that they ensure that any seafarer who declines to proceed into the Warlike Operations Area does not suffer a detriment by reason of their decision
•         that they pay compensation of 100% of basic pay, in addition to earnings that are otherwise due, to seafarers remaining on board in respect of any day on which the vessel is in the Warlike Operations Area
•         that they pay compensation to any seafarer who is injured as a result of warlike activity or detained by parties hostile to the UK, or to the next of kin of any seafarer who is killed as a result of warlike activity, whilst they are in the Warlike Operations Area, in accordance with the scale of uprated National Maritime Board payments agreed by WOAC
•         that they underwrite seafarers’ personal insurance policies in the event that these are rendered void by reason of a vessel proceeding into the Warlike Operations Area.

The parties to WOAC have agreed to review the position jointly, on a month by month basis.

 Whereas the standard international designation for territorial waters is 12 nautical miles from shore, the Government of Libya claims territorial waters up to 24 nautical miles from its shore. In view of the possible hazards to shipping, the Warlike Operations Area should be treated as extending 24 nautical miles from the shore of Libya.

ASSOC.MINISTER REVIEWS 2010 YEAR OF ACTIVITY FOR MNZ

The Associate Minister of Transport, Mr Nathan Guy, shown below, was guest speaker at the annual staff conference of Maritime New Zealand. Speaking to delegates, he gave a round up of New Zealand’s maritime scene. Here are some excerpts from his speech…..

“Last year when I spoke to your conference I mentioned how important the maritime sector is to New Zealand, and our economy. It’s worth reminding ourselves again. As an island nation, around 99 percent of our exports and imports are carried by ship.

“Our biggest export earner is tourism, of which a major part is visiting cruise ships and adventure tourism. Economically, we are dependent on the sea. We rely on competitive shipping services, sea ports and their connections with land transport to make a living in the world.

“The point I’m making is that much of New Zealand’s prosperity now and in the future depends on the maritime sector and the work you do at Maritime New Zealand… And of course, there is the impact on society. Recreational boating is a national pastime, and the work you are doing on reducing accidents and improving safety is hugely important.”

Changes at MNZ

“Maritime New Zealand is a relatively small organisation with a broad range of functions.  You’ve undergone some major changes in the past three years, focussed on addressing areas of major risk. There has been an increasing focus on the need to operate within your mandate and roles, improving service delivery, while at the same time delivering major changes to important maritime rules and regulations.”

QOL and MOSS Reviews

“Two major programmes of work have been the reviews of the Qualifications and Operational Limits framework (QOL), and the Maritime Operator Safety System (MOSS). Both reviews are wide-ranging with major implications for both industry and for Maritime New Zealand.  Good progress has been made and I’m pleased we are on track to deliver on both projects.

“The QOL review is one of the most significant projects ever undertaken by Maritime New Zealand. This will reduce barriers to entry and provide logical career pathways, removing some of the frustrations currently faced by those working in the commercial maritime industry. At the same time it will maintain quality and qualifications, which is the priority. The framework has been built on comprehensive information gathered from in-depth discussions with community and industry representatives. 

“Working in partnership with industry will be the key to this new system. It will mean good safety standards for vessels and their crews while meeting the needs of New Zealand’s commercial maritime industry, now and into the future. I’m looking forward to see the draft QOL framework later this year.”

MOSS

“Meanwhile, the other big priority for Maritime New Zealand is the proposed changes to the Safe Ship Management System. I’m aware there is broad support for change.  The new rules will see a greater emphasis on industry support and make it easier for operators and Maritime New Zealand staff to support safe vessels and safe operating practices.

“I understand the Maritime Operator Safety System (MOSS) project is working towards having the new rules in place late this year. I’m sure there will be some busy months ahead preparing, and working to make this a success.  This is a valuable project with the important goals of improving safety outcomes, cutting red tape, and reducing compliance costs for the industry.”

Funding Review

“Finally, value for money in delivering government services has been a major priority for this Government. You’ve probably heard the figure of $300 million, which is what the Government borrows every week just to pay the bills. Clearly, the Christchurch earthquake is also going to have a major affect on the public finances.

“It’s more important than ever that we deliver good value on behalf of taxpayers and industry groups. Regular reviews of public sector agencies are an important part of the process of ensuring services are delivered efficiently and cost effectively.

“Last year’s Value for Money Review found that Maritime New Zealand is meeting the government’s expectation of providing value for money. It also identified opportunities to ensure that the right services continue to be delivered in the right place at the right cost.

“The Funding Review of Maritime New Zealand currently underway was a key recommendation of last year’s Value for Money Review. Following the data gathering process a discussion document will be released for public and sector consultation toward the end of this year. While it is too early to say what changes might result, the review will ensure Maritime New Zealand is properly funded for everything it does.”

A NEW COASTAL POLICY: BEWARE THE GHOST OF COMPETITION PAST!

The Australian Government has commissioned a discussion paper on reforming Australian coastal shipping in terms of its objectives and the financial issues.

Llew Russell, CEO of Shipping Australia (at right) said that SAL welcomed the discussuion but there were proposals that gave cause for serious concern such as those applying to coastal shipping.

“The 100 year old coastal permit system was itself a compromise between the competing interests of the shipowners and the shippers of coastal cargo. A two year temporary licence as proposed is only available if in the long-term interests of a sustainable and competitive Australian shipping industry. This will not meet the interests of Australian shippers of coastal cargo.” Mr Russell said.

“Under the current system, if a licensed Australian flag vessel is available on the coast a permit cannot be issued. Why change a system if it ain’t broke?” he asked.

Mr Russell said the result was likely to be higher costs which in turn will mean more cargo on the rail system and/or import substitution.

The Minister has correctly suggested that increased shipping will reduce Australia’s carbon footprint but the new coastal shipping policy will have the opposite effect.

“The Minister mentioned the proposals arose from the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee that inquired into coastal shipping policy as well as an industry advisory group. SAL was not represented on that group, despite being an organisation of members heavily involved in the carriage of Australia’s international trade and providing services to many Australian companies shipping cargo around our coast.” Mr Russell said.

Shipping Australia is a vigorous professional body which works within the shipping and transport sector. SAL will be making a detailed submission on these proposals.

BEAUFORT SCALE AND MARINE WEATHER FORECASTING

Popular MetService broadcaster and meterologist Bob McDavitt at right, has explained new terminology and detail behind the MetService weather forecasts for mariners.

“Metservice wind forecasters for mariners are issued in 5 knot increments. This gives a finer scale that the Beaufort scale,” he said.

“A strong wind advisory is the new term for what was called a strong wind warning as used in Auckland recreational areas. The change was made so that the word ‘warning’ is now reserved for winds that need heeding. A strong wind advisory advises of strong winds.”

His full article appeared recently in ProSkipper magazine and abbreviated in Boating NZ in Dec 2010. For more info read http://blog.metservice.com/2010/12/wind-warnings-for-recreational-marine-areas/ 

New technology raises questions over role of bridge teams

New Zealand Master Mariner John Brown, shown at left, has raised some recommendations that shipping should learn from the aviation industry for bridge layout and navigator training.

Commenting on an article by Craig Eason writing in Lloyds List in February, Mr Brown said that last year, he had spent 5 weeks on a car carrier. The bridge design was not good for harbour work with pilots hanging out of bridge wing windows to see the side of the ship.

“Last month I was on a recently arrived drive through ro-ro ferry,” he said “The bridge design was not good especially when berthing stern first as all the engine controls on the bridge wings were designed to berth bow first. Twenty five years ago I wrote and article for the Nautical Institute on the need for standardised bridge design and equipment but sadly nothing has changed. As for bridge teams I wonder if the cabin class steward was ever considered to make up the cockpit team on an aircraft as happens on ships with seamen?.The Lloyd’s List article which Mr Brown refers to is as follows:-

 “There are training and operational issues that have to be addressed as e-navigation continues to develop. Last month’s meeting of the International Maritime Organization sub-committee on training and watchkeeping expressed clear concern about a perceived lack of basic seamanship on board today’s vessels, and the subsequent decline in navigation skills across the world’s fleet.

“That was mirrored by concern at the recent e-navigation conference on the Crown of Scandinavia over the role of bridge teams, whether they are monitors of equipment and situations, or whether they will remain as navigators in a more traditional sense.

Reference was made, both at the STCW meeting and in the e-navigation conference, to the aviation industry and its experiences. Aviation was also a point of reference with regard to bridge designs, with a desire for seamanship skills without an over-reliance on technology. As bridge systems have become more integrated and complex, there have been discussions over standardisation of bridge designs, although it remains unclear how this could be achieved.

Also, equipment makers would be reluctant to have too much prescription, as this could hinder technological development. Participants at the STCW meeting agreed that there ought to be some level of standardisation, but it is not clear how this could be achieved.

There has been a focus on the development of electronic chart display and information systems, but there is a growing perception that other displays may have to be developed as e-navigation leads to other information becoming available on the bridge.

This is one of the areas that the discussions and development of e-navigation test beds will reveal in the coming years. A further issue that also needs to be addressed is that of the training schools. As the concept of enhanced, or electronic, navigation develops, there will be a need to ensure bridge teams have the relevant competence on board, and this can only be done through proper training and education.

There have already been concerns raised over some of the training courses that have appeared on the market to help shipowners meet their stipulated requirements for Ecdis training, and the fear is that without proper controls, the training providers may seriously lag behind these technological developments.” 

MINISTER TURNS DOWN PIRACY PATROL REQUEST

New Zealand has turned down a United Nations request to provide a warship for piracy patrols, probably off the coast of Africa. Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said the navy had too much on currently to send one of its two Anzac frigates.

“We have decided to defer any contribution until next year,” Dr Mapp said. “At the moment there are too many commitments in our own country and in the region.”

Earlier this year Dr Mapp’s office confirmed the Government was considering a request from the UN to send a warship. New Zealand has been asked several times in the past by the UN to supply a warship for piracy patrols but said it did not have a craft available.

Piracy was estimated to cost $21 billion around the world each year, particularly in the waters between the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, off the Somali coast, and also in the Strait of Malacca between Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

A surge in piracy off the Somali coast has led to an international bid to patrol the waters near the Horn of Africa. Modern pirates often used small boats and carry small arms such as AK47 assault rifles and rocket propelled grenades to stop large cargo ships, including oil tankers, and hold them for ransom.

ARATERE OFF TO SINGAPORE FOR REFIT

Interislander’s busiest ferry, Aratere, has gone to Sembawang ship yard in Singapore to have a new 30-metre long mid-body and a new bow inserted as part of a refit. The project is making good progress, with the mid-body currently being fabricated.

Aratere will be away for about five months. To view the latest pictures go to Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/interislander

PROSECUTION FOR DRAMATIC GREY RIVER BAR CROSSING

Maritime New Zealand is looking into whether it can prosecute two fishing boat skippers who crossed the treacherous Grey River bar while the river was in flood. 

Maritime NZ was “gathering information” on the skippers’ decision to cross the bar on January 19 when a warning light was on and whether they could be prosecuted, Maritime New Zealand spokeswoman Sian Routledge said.

Buller District councillor and Westport harbourmaster David Barnes has called for the two skippers to be prosecuted. Both fishing trawlers were rocked by the vicious cross seas and one seaman dashed for the safety of the wheelhouse as one giant wave crashed down. Many boats have come to grief on the bar crossing and a memorial in town remembers fishermen lost.

 THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT 

We continue to get good “traffic statistics” from NZMS Alumni members. Consistently, since May last year we have been receiving over 20,000 hits per month. Our record month of useage is stiill June 2010, when we achieved 30,000 hits but traffic of over 20,000 hits shows good use and support. We watch those “stats” closely.  Google Analytics gives us very good data about site patronage, and this helps us plan the website to the best benefit of members.

The support shown by students and graduates from the NZMS courses give us a lot of confidence in building the Alumni, and we are delighted with the positive feedback we have received.  We are still pushing ahead to build membership too, so please keep telling your friends and colleagues about the NZMS Alumni website, and encourage them to join up…..And keep the feedback coming in. We appreciate each and every email we receive from members. We hope this newsletter keeps you up with the play….

Newsletter: January - March 2011

A new year and a new optimism about recovery from the recession…. plus a rugby world cup and an election! All of these factors seem to make everyone feel a bit more positive about the business environment, and the Government is tipping a return to a positive environment for exports and shipping.

The Prime Minister coninues to stress that New Zealand ’s economic recovery will be export led, and improving food prices across the world can only benefit New Zealand. Shipping and transport issues continue to make the headlines as we are so closely linked to our export performance.

The Queens Wharf development debacle is now finalised at least for the Rugby World Cup, and the facilities will continue on after that event until some decisions are made about permanent buildings. The economic recovery continues, although only slowly, but transport issues continue to be to the forefront with lack of capacity being an issue, rationalisation of New Zealand ports, and the road/rail debate heating up. A change at the top in Ports of Auckland, the “Ashika” trial gets under way at last, Maritime New Zealand runs into more trouble and pirates continue to ravage foreign vessels off Somalia, and now off the Indian coast too - you can’t say the shipping industry is boring!.

Pirates terrorised oceans in 2010

By Katharine Houreld

Ukrainian ship MV Faina arrives in the Kenyan port of Mombasa after an airdropped ransom of millions was paid to Somali pirates. File photo / AP

NAIROBI - Pirates captured a record 1181 hostages in 2010 - almost all of them off the Somali coast - during a year in which hijackings and attacks became more violent, a global maritime watchdog said.

 Attackers seized 53 vessels worldwide last year, according to a report released by the International Maritime Bureau’s piracy reporting centre in Kuala Lumpur. All but four were taken by Somali pirates.

“More people were taken hostage at sea in 2010 than in any year since records began in 1991,” said the annual report. Pirates are using hijacked vessels to hunt ships from Mozambique to Oman, an “unprecedented” growth in range.

Using hijacked vessels to catch new prey also made navies more reluctant to intervene. Pirates have sometimes threatened to kill their captives if attacks were interfered with.

The brief summaries of important attacks offer a rare glimpse into the struggle on the high seas. Pirates firing automatic weapons and grenades attacked the MV Yasin C in April. The crew locked themselves in the sweltering engine room for more than a day while a fire ignited by a grenade raged above. The pirates eventually left after being unable to get into the engine room.

In June, the captain of a Panamanian cargo ship was killed in a shoot-out between Somali forces and pirates on board his ship. And in an October hijacking, a South African skipper risked execution when he refused to leave his yacht, the Choizil. He and the yacht were abandoned and later rescued but his two companions were taken.

The Somali attacks accounted for 1016 of the hostages held for ransom. Somali pirates at present hold 31 vessels and 713 crew members of various nationalities after hijacking a further four ships this year, the bureau said.

Thirteen crew members were wounded and eight died in Somali pirate incidents in 2010, up from four who died and 10 who were wounded in 2009. There were no pirate killings elsewhere in the world in 2010.

Lawless Somalia’s long coastline snakes around the Horn of Africa and provides the perfect base for pirate dens. The country has not had a functioning government since a socialist dictatorship collapsed in 1991, plunging the nation into clan-based civil war.

An international flotilla of warships patrols waters threatened by Somali pirates, particularly the Gulf of Aden corridor leading to the Suez Canal. Attacks there fell more than 50 per cent, from 117 in 2009 to 53 in 2010.

The report attributed the fall to the presence of warships and more crews using recommended management practices. Sixteen hijackings were averted when the crew took refuge in a reinforced room, often called a “citadel” and fitted with two-way communications, food and water. But the area where ships are under threat is too vast to be protected by warships alone.

“If you’re going to have a force to fight piracy, it’s more sensible to do it on land than at sea,” said Roger Middleton, a piracy expert at British think-tank Chatham House.

But the weak, United Nations-backed Somali Administration is too tied up fighting an Islamist insurgency to fight piracy. Globally, there were 445 pirate attacks worldwide last year, a 10 per cent rise from 2009, the centre said.

Violent attacks and armed robberies were also notable in Indonesian waters, where 30 vessels were boarded. Bangladesh had 21 vessels boarded, while Nigeria had 13.

PRINCESS ASHIKA TRIAL TO START IN FEBRUARY

The Princess Ashika manslaughter trials will start on February 7, with New Zealander John Jonesse one of four people and the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia (SCP) fighting charges they were responsible for the deaths of 74 people.

The trial date was confirmed at a pre-trial conference, the Matangi Tonga website reported. Crown counsel Sione Sisifa said the jury trial, before Justice Robert Schuster and a jury of seven, was expected to run for at least a month.

SCP, Jonesse, Ashika captain Makahokovalu Tuputupu, first mate Semisi Pomale, and the former acting director of Tonga’s marine division, Viliami Tu’ipulotu, are charged with more than 40 offences following the 2009 sinking and subsequent inquiry, which found the rusting ferry was unfit to sail.

Mr Tuputupu and SCP were charged with more than 10 additional counts each, as well as manslaughter, while Jonesse is charged with eight counts of manslaughter by negligence, forgery in relation to an audit report, knowingly dealing with a forged document and five counts of sending an unseaworthy ship to sea.

Mr Tu’ipulotu is charged with six counts of manslaughter by negligence and five counts of sending an unseaworthy ship to sea. Mr Pomale is charged with one count of manslaughter by negligence.

MARITIME HEAD BROKE LAW, SAYS APPEAL COURT

The Government’s top maritime official substantially breached her lawful duties and twice broke laws she administers, the Court of Appeal says in a decision likely to leave Maritime New Zealand with a hefty bill.

Overturning an earlier decision by Justice Ellen France in the High Court, the court said MNZ director Catherine Taylor’s “flawed” process in withdrawing approval for a Nelson company to conduct safe ship management surveys had “misled” the company.

The court quashed Ms Taylor’s decision in November 2009 to axe Survey Nelson Ltd as a ship-safety monitor, saying her decision was invalid. MNZ was told to reinstate the company on its original operating terms.

Survey Nelson became embroiled in a dispute with MNZ over its business as an MNZ-approved commercial ship-safety monitor. All New Zealand commercial ships are surveyed by companies such as Survey Nelson to ensure they operate safely.

Last year the company accused MNZ of going after it because its director, Terry Reynolds, had clashed with senior MNZ staff.

MNZ denied that and said Ms Taylor, shown here, withdrew its approval for Survey Nelson to be part of the safe ship management programme because of safety concerns after reports and an audit on the company.

Survey Nelson director Jean Reynolds said she and her husband, Terry, had legal costs of more than $300,000 that they would seek to recover from MNZ along with costs of possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars to their business and their reputation, which they would also seek to recover.

The couple said they had magnificent support from their operators, vessel owners, colleagues and Maritime Management Services.

Ms Taylor came in for strong criticism in the Court of Appeal decision which said if she had wanted to withdraw approval, there was a proper process she should have followed, but she did not.

Having erred in maritime law by concluding that her approval of the company in the safety programme was “a maritime document”, she erred further by “following an unlawful process” for withdrawing her approval, the court said.

“As a further result, Survey Nelson was misled in responding to the director.”

Ms Taylor “committed a substantial breach of her statutory duties which caused a substantial prejudice” to Survey Nelson.

The court also said Ms Taylor had been told of her procedural error by Survey Nelson’s solicitors well in advance of her intended cancellation of approval.

The decision will land MNZ with a hefty bill, as the court ordered it to pay Survey Nelson’s costs, which could be substantial after two High Court hearings and a Court of Appeal hearing involving Queen’s Counsel representing both parties.

Ms Taylor said yesterday the court decision related to legal processes and her “serious safety concerns” that prompted her original decision remained.

MNZ and Survey Nelson would still need to resolve issues about acts of delegation required from Ms Nelson before the company could carry out most safe ship management operations, she said.

THE STORY SO FAR

The Court of Appeal criticism of Maritime New Zealand director Catherine Taylor is the sixth time in less than two years she has been accused of not following marine laws or rules she is in charge of administering.

In March last year, Marlborough harbourmaster Alex van Wijngaarden accuses Ms Taylor of breaking her own rules by awarding a senior qualification to a pilot previously caught cheating in exams. Ms Taylor says she was fair to all parties.

The same month, NZ Maritime School director Tim Wilson accuses Ms Taylor of breaking MNZ rules by allowing uncertified examiners to test senior seafaring students for qualifications allowing them to control passenger ships. Ms Taylor says the course was “beyond reproach”.

The following month Auckland surveyor Hugh Munro accuses MNZ of bending international maritime safety rules by allowing holes to be bored in a ship’s bow to make it shorter than it is. MNZ says the ship complies with all standards.

And last May, after a near catastrophic shipping accident, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission says MNZ failed to complete a safety management system for Port Taharoa, a port MNZ was in charge of. MNZ enforces the safety system on other port operators. MNZ says it will comply by August.

Last December, when Survey Nelson applies for an interim injunction to overturn Ms Taylor’s withdrawal of approval, Justice Forrest Miller says there is a “real question whether the director acted lawfully.”

SHIPS PROMOTE HEALTH IN AFRICA

Irene George, shown at right, helped save the life of a young African man who had a horrific facial tumour.

The former Albany accounts clerk now works onboard the Mercy Ship vessel Africa Mercy, a ship that houses a hospital and travels around western Africa.

Ms George donated blood to the patient onboard after he underwent life-saving surgery. His tumour had been growing for four years and affected his eating, speech and even his ability to work.

People in his village would not sell food to him because they said he was the devil. His wife left him, leaving behind his three children. It took doctor’s eight hours to remove the life-threatening tumour.

Ms George is one of 450 volunteers who use their skills to make a difference to people living in western Africa. She works in the finance department on board the ship. The crew raise their own sponsorship to pay for room and board and she helps process the funds.

Mercy Ships promote health and well-being by serving urgent surgical needs in the world’s developing communities. Since 1978, the charity has provided services in developing nations valued at more than $NZ1.1 billion.

Go to www.mercyships.org.nz for more information.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT 

We continue to get good “traffic statistics” from NZMS Alumni members. December 2010 was not a record month but still showed good support and consistently now we are getting nearly 23,000 hits per month. Our record month of useage is stiill June 2010, when we achieved 30,000 hits but traffic of over 20,000 hits shows good use and support. We watch those “stats” closely.  Google Analytics gives us very good data about site patronage, and this helps us plan the website to the best benefit of members.

The support shown by students and graduates from the NZMS courses give us a lot of confidence in building the Alumni, and we are delighted with the positive feedback we have received.  We are still pushing ahead to build membership too, so please keep telling your friends and colleagues about the NZMS Alumni website, and encourage them to join up…..And keep the feedback coming in. We appreciate each and every email we receive from members. We hope this newsletter keeps you up with the play….