Wunma safety plan in place 21 February 2008 | 12:58PM
SIR,
Despite her protestations to the contrary, your correspondent, Ms [Nicole] Holyer, would seem to be not very interested in listening to Maritime Safety Queensland. It's what she isn't shouting at your readers ( Lloyd's List DCN , February 14) that's most revealing.
She was invited to meet the general manager of Maritime Safety Queensland on November 6, where she could have raised any issues regarding the inquiry. Having accepted the invitation, Ms Holyer did not attend and did not contact the agency to make another appointment.
On January 4, she contacted the general manager seeking a response to the board of inquiry's report for an article and specified a deadline of January 14. Shortly afterwards, Ms Holyer advised that the deadline was January 7 not 14, and she would require comments that day. She was informed this was not achievable.
Given that Ms Holyer published her story soon thereafter, it would seem obvious her article was already written at the time she was seeking comment from the department.
For anyone interested in the facts, it was Maritime Safety Queensland that recommended and funded the board of inquiry so it could learn from any systemic, administrative or regulatory failures that might have contributed to the incident.
The Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 requires the board's reports to be tabled in Parliament within two weeks of the report being provided to the minister.
When the board provided its report, Parliament was not sitting, hence in order to meet legislative requirements, it was necessary to table the report outside of a parliamentary sitting time.
The timing of the delivery of the report was entirely a matter for the board and outside the control of Maritime Safety Queensland.
Maritime Safety Queensland has worked closely with the owners and vessel operators since the incident to ensure the ship is being operated safely.
Many of the recommendations from the board have already been implemented.
The agency supports the board's findings into the causes of the incident. The principal finding is that it was caused by the absence of appropriate mooring infrastructure.
The owner of the ship has acted on this.
An engineering report, rightly commissioned by the owners of the vessel, and delivered on December 14, indicated that in its present condition the existing wharf at Karumba would support the vessel in cyclones up to and including category 3.
The owner of the ship decided to reinforce the wharf so it would allow the vessel to stay alongside in even the most severe cyclone events.
In the event of a cyclone, the ship is to be secured to the wharf. Maritime Safety Queensland considers this an appropriate arrangement and has advised the owners accordingly.
Responsibility for the provision of infrastructure and the safety of the vessel is that of the owner.
Maritime Safety Queensland's role as a regulator is to ensure that the systems implemented and other actions taken by the owner will ensure the ship is safe in all expected circumstances.
A full-time project officer has been engaged in Maritime Safety Queensland to oversee and report on the implementation of the board's recommendations.
In particular, this officer will examine the agency's legislation and processes in the context of the board's findings, and recommend changes if appropriate.
Many of the quotes from the report were in fact comments made by Maritime Safety Queensland about the present mix of state, national and international standards that apply to ships such as the Wunma.
This is one of the very reasons why the agency commissioned the inquiry in the first place, so it could learn from and if necessary amend or improve its systems to ensure marine safety.
Had Ms Holyer read the complete 500-page report or examined in full the exhibits and statements tendered throughout the public hearings, she would be aware of these facts.
Maritime Safety Queensland has demonstrated at all times a willingness as a regulator to be open and reflective of its role. The agency, the minister and the government have been accountable on this matter at all times. The same cannot be said of the misleading nonsense peddled by Ms Holyer. She is hardly bringing credibility to your otherwise well respected publication.
Captain John Watkinson,
General manager,
Maritime Safety Queensland.
• Lloyd's List DCN 's correspondent could not have possibly spoken to MSQ about the contents of the report on November 6 as it was not available and did not go to the minister until later.
Instead of answering questions when it had the opportunities, MSQ eventually referred enquiries to the department and the minister – both were equally circumspect. That the opinion piece finally elicited a response from MSQ is welcome. That the response was this detailed only raises the question as to why such a response was not made sooner. — Editor.
