Maritime Safety Authority to probe Gisborne port operations

11.50 am

Maritime Safety Authority officers are investigating safety concerns about Port Gisborne Ltd procedures and claims that the stranding of the log carrier Jody F Millennium was an accident waiting to happen.

The Director of Maritime Safety, Russell Kilvington, confirmed today that the concerns of a former Gisborne harbourmaster with 20 years' experience in the job would be taken into account in a full investigation into the stranding.

Divers were today inspecting the hull of the Japanese-owned Korean-chartered 22,000 tonne log carrier after she was yesterday towed off the Waikanae beach sandbar where she was stranded for 18 days.

Mr Kilvington told NZPA that former Gisborne harbourmaster Ian Cook's views on the stranding and criticism of the port company would be investigated fully.

Mr Cook, who successfully sued Port Gisborne Ltd for wrongful dismissal after he had been employed at the port for 20 years, had been invited to make a written submission to the authority and would be interviewed as part of the investigation into the stranding.

"All of the issues that have been raised by Mr Cook and all of the issues relating to the overall operational safety at the Port of Gisborne will be addressed," he said.

Mr Kilvington also confirmed to NZPA that the MSA had in the past advised Gisborne District Council -- 100 per cent owner of Port Gisborne Ltd -- of its concerns about port operations.

Mr Cook, a master mariner from Taupo with harbour piloting experience, has criticised the way the port company employed its current pilots. He claimed the port was unsafe and that an incident such as the Jody F Millennium stranding was "bound to happen".

Mr Kilvington told NZPA Mr Cook was "obviously a relevant party" in terms of his experience at the port and his knowledge of its operations.

"By dint of his experience and his role, he's not just an interested amateur observer who has a special theory," he said.

"There is obviously a history that needs to be looked at."

The MSA investigation would look at the "whole history and context of the stranding".

Mr Kilvington confirmed there had been "written communication" between the MSA and Gisborne District Council over issues involving the harbourmaster and procedures for the appointment of pilots.

He declined to comment further, saying he was bound by confidentiality relating to the current investigation.

The MSA investigation is expected to take at least two months and its conclusions are likely to be made public.

"It will be made public unless we take legal action against someone, in which case information that we are doing something will be made public," Mr Kilvington said.

- NZPA

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