For the safety of vessels, their crew and cargo, the Marlborough
Harbourmaster has issued a direction that sets a maximum length of 187 metres for any new vessels looking to use the Tory
Channel/Kura Te Au, to access Marlborough ports at Picton and Shakespeare
Bay. All vessels currently using the Channel
are at or under this length.
Marlborough Harbourmaster Jake Oliver said the entrance to the Tory Channel is narrow and tidal, so is
challenging to navigate, with the risk of an incident increasing with longer
vessels.
“Safety is central to the work a Harbourmaster does,” he
said. “The maximum length of 187 metres for the Channel is based on an
indepth navigation safety risk assessment looking at past vessel crossings,
vessel risk management documents and relevant Transport Accident Investigation
Commission reports,” he said.
“We
know from our review that vessels at and under 187 metres can travel through
the Channel safely. The only time these vessels wouldn’t use the Channel is if
they have an issue while crossing the Cook Strait, such as a malfunction of
navigation equipment, steering system or propulsion engines – anything that
could mean their journey through the Channel is dangerous - making the Northern
Entrance route the safer option.
“This
direction is about preparing for the future, for when companies look to invest
in new vessels,” he said. “It means that companies with vessels over this
length will use the Northern Entrance to dock at
Picton or Shakespeare Bay, just like some heavy vessels are required to now, or
work with us on safety management plans for using Tory Channel.”
In
addition, the Harbourmaster is initiating a risk assessment programme for six
older vessels that currently use the Channel.
“As
vessels age, they are at higher risk of having mechanical problems,” he said.
“By working together with the companies on risk assessments for these older
vessels, we can proactively manage any potential risks when they use the
Channel.”
The Harbourmaster can
vary the rules in this Direction for a vessel or specific class of vessels.
This will be done on a case by case basis however and only where the overall
standards of maritime safety are not diminished.
