Sanford's Tauranga fleet is today leading the way with the introduction of a Maritime New Zealand operating system designed to improve operator and vessel safety.

The in-shore fishing operation branch entered into the new MOSS - Maritime Operator Safety System - at a formal presentation in Tauranga today.

Tauranga branch manager Steve Keeves, Maritime New Zealand general manager of compliance, Harry Hawthorn, and Sanford Vessel Manager Dave Cowdry.

MNZ is heralding what it says is the biggest change to New Zealand's commercial shipping sector in 15 years.

Sanford operates four vessels out of Tauranga and has developed a comprehensive safety system covering the entire operation, from emergency procedures to maintenance, crew training and vessel details.

MNZ's General Manager Maritime Compliance Harry Hawthorn says the event marks a significant milestone for the new safety system, coming into force today.

'We're pleased to issue the first Maritime Transport Operator Certificate to one of the largest fishing operators in the country,” says Harry.

'These guys put the effort into be number one off the block.”

He noted that Sanford has put together a comprehensive safety plan in order to enter the new system.

MOSS, which is designed to improve operator and vessel safety, replaces the Safe Ship Management (SSM) system. It requires operators to develop a safety system that covers not only their vessels, but their entire operation.

'I believe MOSS strikes the right balance between ensuring operators take control of developing and implementing their own safety system, and enabling MNZ to provide the right amount of regulatory oversight for these systems,” says Harry.

Sanford's Tauranga branch manager Steve Keeves says Sanfords broke their operating fleets into nine fleets, and Tauranga was the first branch to obtain certificate.

'The boats have previously operated under the SSM system, and so a lot of the systems have been transposed into MOSS and tweaked to meet the new standards.”

Sanford Tauranga vessel manager Dave Cowdrey says one of the key changes is putting the onus back on the owner to run their own operating procedures.

'In general we haven't had to change too much on the boats, but its transitioning what we are doing on social management to the new MOSS system.”

Sanford's Tauranga has a good, sound safety record and the new system will further enhance this, says Dave.

Sanford Tauranga Compliance Manager Dave Evans has enjoyed the experience and says the benefits of the new system are great.

'We have 54 vessels in Sanfords and this is the first to come into the system. We have designed the system to be individual to the local fleet but be part of the Sanford umbrella.”

MOSS has been around for the last five years, but Harry says in the last 12 months work on implementing the system has intensified.

Around 2000 commercial operators will be required to transition to MOSS over the next four years.

'We have been working really hard with operators around the country, we have run presentations and workshops the length and breadth of New Zealand,” says Harry.

The principles guiding MOSS are:

• improving safety by putting a greater focus on vessel owners and operators operating safely
• creating clearer lines of responsibility for the day-to-day safe operation of vessels
• providing effective and efficient regulatory oversight by MNZ
• making it easier for operators, surveyors and MNZ staff to support safe vessels and safe operating practices.