4 October 2004
Fatigue risks too great
Following the release of accident investigation reports into two groundings in the Marlborough Sounds this year the
Maritime Safety Authority has called for boat owners, operators and crew to pay more attention to the issue of fatigue.
The grounding of the Kathleen G in May and the Physalie in June both resulted from skippers falling asleep due to
fatigue.
“Fortunately no-one was injured in these accidents but our research shows fifty percent of seafarers were fatigued on at
least one of their last five trips and already this year there have been five accidents where fatigue has been a major
contributing factor,” says MSA Manager Strategic Analysis and Planning Sharyn Forsyth.
“The fishing industry by nature has a highly demanding physical workload but not managing fatigue properly is clearly
too great a risk to take.
“The personal and financial costs of accidents can be devastating so it’s clear that good safety practices make good
business sense.”
Information on fatigue management will be included in a Health and Safety booklet MSA is publishing this year as well as
in industry guidelines being produced early next year.
Fatigue management is also part of nationwide seminars being run for commercial operators.
ENDS