MARICO Marine NZ Limited WELLINGTON HARBOUR PORT AND ...

Report No: 05NZ104 WELLINGTON HARBOUR
Issue: Issue 1.1 Operational Risk Assessment
11 STATUS OF PRESENT RISK CONTROL SYSTEM
This section of the report considers the existing risk management system,
and reflects what is in place, which is ultimately part of the risk profile. Risk
management in place has been mapped in detail against the top 30 hazards
and the results of that are attached as Annex F.
11.1 RISK MANAGEMENT PROVIDED BY THE HARBOUR MASTER SYSTEM
Although this section represents the existing risk-management system
provided by the Harbourmaster system, it must be noted that the risk
mitigating role provided by pilotage in moving vessels is also part of this,
which includes port movement planning. As the NZ port system clearly
differentiates the Harbourmaster risk management system from the normal
operations at ports and terminals, the Harbourmaster system is described in
its role of risk mitigation.
Wellington has a good selection of Bylaws and CentrePort has a clear and
comprehensive operational safety management system based on procedures,
with staff on 24hr duty. In most areas that Authors reviewed, risk control
was found to be both working and effective. The Harbourmaster and Marine
Manager have been working together, but in different organisations, for a
considerable period of time. One complements the other and there is little
doubt that the system will continue to manage risk effectively until one of
the key players retires. At that point the system will become vulnerable to
erosion of standards and limited experience unless succession planning is
considered soon. This is a classic organisational risk scenario27. The
Wellington Safety Management System introduced under the Port and
Harbour Safety Code needs to plan for that happening.
11.1.1 Harbourmaster Staffing
Harbour management staff at Wellington comprise; a Harbour Master and
deputy; two full time harbour rangers and one seasonal harbour ranger.
There is also a full time office administrator. A ranger is on duty after hours
to provide back up to the Harbour Master or deputy, who also share a 24
hour on duty arrangement. Harbour rangers carry out most of the liaison
with leisure/small craft users, including organized clubs and members of
the public. A workboat is available to enable an on-water presence,
although 'patrols' as such do not occur. Rangers provide the Harbourmaster
system with an ability to respond quickly to any aids to navigation outages
27 This was an underlying causal factor in a catastrophic tanker grounding at the Port of Milford Haven in UK.
Greater Wellington Regional Council /
CentrePort Ltd Page 70 of 102