Liability, awards and settlements

18.4, sinking, report

New Zealand: a report into the sinking of fishing (general) Kotuku in Foveaux Strait two years ago questioned the maritime regulatory system that certifies fishing vessels. Six people, including two children, drowned when the vessel capsized in waters linking the South Island and Stewart Island on May 13, 2006. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) report said that Kotuku should never have been allowed to go to sea. The report puts most of the blame for the accident on the failure of Maritime New Zealand’s ship inspection system to detect that the vessel was un-seaworthy. The certification system used to audit and inspect small commercial vessels failed to detect the poor condition of the vessel’s hull, lifesaving equipment that did not operate, and the fact that holes used to release water from the deck were blocked. The report also suggested Kotuku was being used to carry passengers without enough lifejackets for all those on board.