Health & Safety at the University of Otago


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Appendix 1: Risk Identification and Management

For general information on Maritime Rules & Legislation, please visit the Maritime New Zealand website.

See below for other risks associated with small boating:

How to obtain weather forecast for the appropriate area.
Relating forecast conditions to probable effects on waters and swell in the area, where applicable, and reconciling these to the users and the vessels capabilities.
Contingency planning for sudden weather changes.

Care when using lines and nets.
The effects on stability of over-side loading.
Danger associated with recovering snagged equipment.
Avoiding entanglement of propulsion units by lines and nets.
Dangers associated with free surface water.
Care when using powered winches.
Prior training in safe use of equipment, including use of emergency equipment and dealing with breakdowns.

Approaching divers in the water and getting on board.
General familiarity with University Diving Code of Practice, particularly requirements relating to specific geographical areas.
Dangers of overloading with personnel and equipment.
Selection of suitable vessels.
Familiarity with diving related First Aid practices and equipment.
Prior training in use of First Aid equipment.
Knowledge of possible difficulties locating and recovering divers and how to deal with them.

Maintaining head count, particularly during incidents.
Delegation of responsibilities.
Recovery of people from water.
Maintaining a reasonable ratio of rescue craft to boats NZ Yachting Federation recommendation is 1 rescue craft per 6 boats

Care when handling fuel or chemicals to avoid spills.
Care with equipment and packaging to avoid pollution and physical hazards to wild life.
Avoiding unnecessary physical damage to the environment from vessel or equipment.
Not smoking on boats.

See also the Maritime Rules 35.11, 1 (b) for other risk avoidance and control.