New Zealand Changes Boating Rules after Fatal Accident

Maritime NZ is making changes to safety requirements for recreational vessels leaving New Zealand ports for overseas, and for other recreational vessels in New Zealand waters.

The changes come from recommendations in a detailed, 60-page report into a fatal accident in which two crew members of the yacht Platino died on June 13, 2016.

Within seconds the yacht had gone from sailing comfortably to being significantly damaged and effectively out of control. The boom was swinging uncontrollably across the yacht and hardware connected to it was described by the crew as acting like a wrecking ball.

Almost immediately one crew member was fatally injured when he was hit by hardware connected to the out of control boom, and another was lost overboard, most likely thrown by the boom.

The three crew who survived the accident were rescued by a container ship on June 14, 2016.

Maritime NZ Director, Keith Manch, said work is already underway with Yachting NZ to change Yachting NZ’s Safety Regulations of Sailing that are used for safety inspections of all recreational vessels - sailing or powered - bound for overseas.

Maritime NZ requires all such vessels to be certified by qualified Yachting NZ inspectors before than can leave New Zealand. The vessels must get what is known as a Category 1 safety certificate.

“We will also be working with Yachting NZ and other boating organizations about a range of technical requirements for vessels’ equipment, and particularly about training for skippers and crew, and vessels operating manuals,” Manch said.

“While the changes relate to a range of equipment and procedures, at their heart is the preparedness and training of the skipper and crew.

“The skipper and crew must be familiar with the equipment on board, know how to use it correctly, and know how to respond in an emergency.”

In all the circumstances, Maritime NZ considered the appropriate approach in this case was to use the information gathered through the investigation to improve safety outcomes, without any accompanying enforcement action.

Maritime NZ has sent the report to the Coroner to help inform an inquest.