LETTERS | Dianne sinking – AMSA reduces fishing boat compliance requirements at its peril

TO: 60 Minutes crew, Channel 9

Further to the story regarding the Dianne on 60 minutes, you may be interested to know that AMSA has further reduced the compliance requirements for these vessels despite the coroner’s report.

Last month AMSA removed the requirement for these class-B fishing vessel from having an accredited surveyor complete a light ship assessment. This assessment is to confirm that the vessel is able to operate in accordance with the stability book.

The reason AMSA removed this requirement and instead asked for a self declaration is because this adds another expense for the owner and they have bowed to industry pressure.

Furthermore, last month decreased the safety inspection cycle of these fishing vessels. These vessels up until a month ago were required to be inspected once a year to confirm safety and compliance by an accredited marine surveyor.

This is no longer the case. AMSA has reduced this requirement to three times in a five-year period and for some vessels once every five years. If the vessel is less than 12 metres then it’s possible to never have an inspection.

AMSA has labelled these fishing vessels “medium risk”. Everywhere in the world commercial fishing is described as the most dangerous job in the world. Medium, hah!

Sadly, incidents like this will continue.

Regards,

Ralph Stevens

Fisherman

Meanwhile the general media continue to refer to it as a “trawler”. In reality, it is a beche-de-mer dive boat – Ed

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