Accident Investigation Report Commerial Fishing Diane Timaru ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

3. CONTRIBUTING FACTORSN.B. These are not listed in order of importance.3.1 The lack of any distress message by the Skipper indicates that he wasprobably overcome by a very sudden catastrophic event, which preventedhim from accessing any communication equipment. It cannot be discountedthat injury or a medical event rendered the Skipper unconscious but, on thebalance of probabilities, it is more likely that some other event caused him tofall overboard.3.2 The New Zealand Admiralty Pilot Book (NP5I) gives the average seatemperature off Timaru to be about 15/16° Centigrade in March. At thistemperature, hypothermia, generally known as exposure, and defined as thegeneral lowering of the central body temperature would have started to affectthe Skipper within about one hour of his falling overboard. Without alifejacket, he would have become quickly exhausted and drowned. Thislowering of the central body temperature, if not checked, will quickly lead todeath. If the Skipper had been wearing a lifejacket, this would not onlyhave assisted him by providing buoyancy and thermal protection, it wouldhave also significantly reduced the need to moving his arms and legs to stayafloat. In this manner, the reduction of body movement, especiallymovement of limbs, would have considerably extended the time beforehypothermia started to take effect. It should, of course, be noted that theSkipper’s decision not to wear a lifejacket was common with the majority ofcommercial fishermen. This is not necessarily to spurn the safety benefitsconferred by using such equipment but because the wearing of a lifejacketaffects their ability to work unhindered while fishing.3.3 The lack of any communication equipment. A sudden catastrophic fall fromthe boat would have prevented the Skipper from accessing the extensivecommunication equipment that he had on board. However, waterproof handheldVHF radios are available and are the most effective means of signallingdistress. They can be carried on the person and, if kept in a sealedwaterproof plastic bag, can be used effectively whilst still in the bag.Similarly, a cell phone, although less effective for distress purposes, can alsobe used in this manner without loss of signal strength or clarity. To bealways available, cell phones should be kept on a person at all times. Otherdistress equipment should be stored, where they are readily accessible, in theevent of an emergency, no matter how sudden or unexpected.Maritime Safety Authority Accident Investigation Report10
4. CAUSEHuman Factor Failure to comply with regulations Drugs & Alcohol Overloading Failure to obtain ships position or course Fatigue Physiological Improper watchkeeping or lookout Lack of knowledge Ship Handling Misconduct/Negligence Error of judgementEnvironmental Factor Adverse weather Debris Ice Navigation hazard Adverse current Submerged object Lightning Other . . .Technical Factor Structural failure Wear & tear Steering failure Mechanical failure Improper welding Inadequate firefighting/lifesaving Electrical failure Inadequate maintenance Insufficient fuel Corrosion Inadequate stability Other . . .4.1 It would be mere speculation to opine as to how the skipper came to fall overthe side of the vessel.During the investigation, a number of people stated that the Skipper couldnot swim and that he usually wore a buoyancy vest whilst working. However,this had been left at home on the day he went missing. An Interested Party tothe accident, commented that the buoyancy vest had not been left at homethat day and was later found hanging in a cupboard on the vessel.Maritime Safety Authority Accident Investigation Report11
Page 1 and 2: Accident ReportDianePerson Overboar
Page 3 and 4: REPORT NO: 04 3461VESSEL NAME:DIANE
Page 5 and 6: 1. KEY EVENTS1.1 On Saturday 6th Ma
Page 7 and 8: 2. KEY CONDITIONS2.1 Crew details:
Page 9: SOUTH ISLAND:RANGITATASoutherly 25
Page 13 and 14: party to the report commented that
Page 15 and 16: APPENDIX 1EXTRACT OF NZ CHART 64Mar
Page 17: Maritime Safety Authority Accident

Accident Investigation Report Commerial Fishing Diane Timaru ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?