Photo: Alexia JohnstonThe Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) says it cannot determine the cause of a blaze which burned a ship at Timaru's port for eight days. Although TAIC found the fire started in a cabin on the officer's deck, it was "not possible" establish the cause due to the intensity and duration of the fire and the extensive damage caused to the accommodation space. A further 50 fishing vessels have been afforded grandparent rights that will allow them to operate indefinitely without meeting contemporary safety standards under the current Maritime Rules." The Commission has made one recommendation to the operator, DW New Zealand Limited, and two recommendations to the Director of Maritime New Zealand. That Maritime NZ and the Ministry of Transport together amend Rule 40D to so that aging fishing vessels cannot operate forever without having to meet contemporary safety standards.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 04, 2019 22:18 UTC