Review of the NPBSF Recreational Boating Safety Strategy – Iain Matheson, May 2014 2014 REVIEW OF THE NEW ZEALAND PLEASURE BOAT SAFETY STRATEGY PREPARED FOR MARITIME NEW ZEALAND AND THE NATIONAL PLEASURE BOAT SAFETY FORUM (NPBSF) Prepared by: Iain Matheson, Matheson Associates Limited Date: 12 May 2014 1 Review of the NPBSF Recreational Boating Safety Strategy – Iain Matheson, May 2014 CONTENTS CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................................................... 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER TWO: RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY IN NEW ZEALAND............................................ 15 The New Zealand Pleasure Boat Safety Strategy ............................................................................................. 17 Chapter Two Summary of Findings ................................................................................................................. 23 CHAPTER THREE: STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION ................................................................................... 24 Jurisdictional Coordination and Planning ........................................................................................................ 24 Regulation ........................................................................................................................................................ 26 Vessel Manufacturing And Maintenance ......................................................................................................... 28 Navigational Safety .......................................................................................................................................... 29 Enforcement ..................................................................................................................................................... 30 Safety Awareness Campaigns .......................................................................................................................... 32 Education and Training Courses ...................................................................................................................... 33 Public Information ........................................................................................................................................... 35 Boatie Assistance ............................................................................................................................................. 38 Community Engagement .................................................................................................................................. 39 Search And Rescue .......................................................................................................................................... 40 Accident Investigation and Analysis ................................................................................................................ 40 Research ........................................................................................................................................................... 42 Chapter Three Summary of Findings ............................................................................................................... 43 CHAPTER FOUR: CHANGES SINCE 2007 IN, OR AFFECTING, RECREATIONAL BOATING ............... 44 Demographics of Boaties ................................................................................................................................. 44 The New Zealand Economy and the Global Financial Crisis ........................................................................... 45 New Zealand Boating Industry......................................................................................................................... 46 Climate ............................................................................................................................................................. 46 Population Growth and Demographic Changes ............................................................................................... 47 National Profile of Safety Issues ...................................................................................................................... 47 New Zealand Participation Rates ..................................................................................................................... 48 Number of Vessels ........................................................................................................................................... 49 Type of Vessels ................................................................................................................................................ 49 Chapter Four Summary of Findings ..................................................................................................................... 50 2 Review of the NPBSF Recreational Boating Safety Strategy – Iain Matheson, May 2014 CHAPTER FIVE: INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS ............................................................................... 51 Jurisdictional Coordination and Planning ........................................................................................................ 51 Regulation ........................................................................................................................................................ 52 Vessel Manufacturing And Maintenance ......................................................................................................... 52 Navigational Safety .......................................................................................................................................... 53 Enforcement ..................................................................................................................................................... 53 Safety Awareness Campaigns .......................................................................................................................... 54 Education and Training Courses ...................................................................................................................... 55 Public Information ........................................................................................................................................... 56 Boatie Assistance ............................................................................................................................................. 57 Community Engagement .................................................................................................................................. 57 Search And Rescue .......................................................................................................................................... 58 Accident Investigation and Analysis ................................................................................................................ 58 Research ........................................................................................................................................................... 60 Chapter Five Summary of Findings ...................................................................................................................... 61 CHAPTER SIX: RECREATIONAL FATALITIES IN NEW ZEALAND SINCE 2007 .................................... 62 2007 – 2013 ...................................................................................................................................................... 62 2011/12 and 2012/13 Fatality Review Panel Exercise ..................................................................................... 69 Chapter Six Summary of Findings ....................................................................................................................... 73 CHAPTER SEVEN: OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EXISTING NEW ZEALAND PLEASURE BOAT SAFETY STRATEGY ............................................................................................................................. 74 Change in the Overall Rate of Recreational Boating Fatalities ........................................................................ 74 Current Fatality Levels May be Higher than Some Other Similar Jurisdictions .............................................. 75 Whether Overall Fatality Reduction Targets were Met .................................................................................... 83 Any Reductions in Fatalities Amongst Explicit or Implicit Strategy Target Groups ....................................... 85 Chapter Seven Summary of Findings ................................................................................................................... 92 CHAPTER EIGHT: DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................... 93 Jurisdictional Coordination, Planning and the Operation of the Forum ........................................................... 93 Regulation ........................................................................................................................................................ 95 Navigational Safety .........................................................................................................................................