Additions to Survey Performance Requirements relating to vessel fuel systems

Overview

On 6 December 2023, Maritime NZ issued this Safety Update on vessel fuel systems. It arises from the recommendations made by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) in its preliminary report into the fatal i-Catcher incident. In the Safety Update, Maritime NZ gave notice of our intention to consult with recognised surveyors and authorised persons on proposed additions to the SPRs relating to vessel fuel systems.

See the safety update

In its report, TAIC recommended that Maritime NZ use an appropriate mechanism that ensures the integrity and safety of fuel systems is being maintained and monitored through the survey system.

We consulted on proposed additions to the following documents:

• Survey performance requirements for in-construction surveys
• Survey performance requirements for initial surveys
• Survey performance requirements periodic surveys of propulsion and steering systems
• SOP vessel inspection checklist for vessels 6 metres or less
• SOP vessel inspection checklist for recreational dive boats.

There were a number of reoccurring themes identified in the submissions. These are listed below along with our response:

• Some submissions considered that a higher level of instruction was required through the SPRs. This is not the current purpose of SPRs, which complement Maritime Rules that require a surveyor to exercise their professional judgement to follow the Rules and apply the relevant standards. SPRs are not designed to be prescriptive.
• A number of specific technical requirements were put forward for inclusion in the SPRs such as spill prevention and adding the requirement for roll-over valves. We considered these matters would be better addressed through the Rules and these have been referred to the 40 Series Reform project.
• Concerns were expressed that the draft SPRs required surveyors to reference a vessel’s design approval documents when inspecting the fuel systems. Surveyors advised that design approval records were not always available. The relevant SPRs have been modified to note that design approvals should be referenced “where available”.

The amended documents are available on the ‘resources for surveyors’ page.

Consultation document

The proposed additions are marked up in GREEN in the attached document.

Consultation details

The consultation ran from 15 January 2024 to 19 February 2024. The consultation period is now closed and we can accept no further submissions. If you have any questions about this consultation you can contact Maritime NZ.

Email: consultations@maritimenz.govt.nz

Thank you to those who provided feedback.