MNZ Inspectors Board Fishing Vessels Off South Island

A joint operation by Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) and the New Zealand Defence Force – Operation Moana – has seen 16 fishing vessels operating off the west coast of the South Island boarded and inspected to ensure they are meeting environmental and safety standards.

Two Korean-flagged foreign charter fishing vessels (FCFVs) – Gom 379 and Ser Este 700 – were sent back to port to rectify non-compliances related to marine protection rules.

In addition to environmental protection issues, inspection of the vessels covered certification and life-saving appliances, emergency preparedness and working practices.

Operation Moana involved assets provided by the NZ Defence Force – the HMNZS Wellington and the RNZAF Orion – enabling MNZ to target vessels while they were operating at sea.

During six days at sea, an MNZ Maritime Officer and Investigator boarded six FCFVs, four New Zealand-flagged factory trawlers, and six smaller inshore fishing vessels.

The inspection team focused on FCFVs and New Zealand-flagged fishing offshore vessels, but also took the opportunity to look at New Zealand inshore fishing vessels.

The two Korean-flagged vessels sent back to port were required to correct deficiencies in their oily water systems and have a full inspection before returning to sea. Gom 379 remains under investigation by MN

Southern Regional Compliance Manager David Billington said the rationale for the operation was that being onboard a ship at sea was the best way to get a true picture of how it operates. “It’s really good to see the vessel when it’s actually working – problems are a lot more visible than when it’s tied up. And when a vessel is on the water, you get to see the practices in action, which is when any issues will come to light.”