Westport Port Pilot.
Kevin Smith made this Official Information request to Buller District Council
The request was successful.
From: Kevin Smith
Dear Buller District Council,
On 15th Aug 2024 the BDC Posted on their Facebook site about the Manahau barge.
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'The Pilot training programme was approved by Maritime New Zealand, which then enabled BDC to train a Pilot, allowing the harbour team to offer pilotage services to port users.
The Pilot approval, along with the purchase of the harbour vessel Protector and the upgrade enabling it to operate as a pilot vessel all came together with the Manahau's successful entry into Westport Harbour on Tuesday.'
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The BDC also issues a media release, 31 March 2023.
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'The dredge and the port staff are working together with Maritime NZ to develop a pilot training programme that will enable a pilot certificate training and certification programme for Westport to be approved by Maritime NZ.
Mr Christieson says: “This will be another first and we think, all going well, in three to four months we have the training programme signed off by Maritime NZ. The aim is to qualify a pilot which will allow them to bring vessels over 100 tonnes into and out of the Westport Port.”
Chief financial officer Douglas Marshall says: “Having this skill available to ships coming into the Westport Port, is a key for the revitalisation of this key asset for the town.'
**
Given the above and my belief that the BDC advertised for some Port Pilot positions, I have some questions.
Could BDC please answer the following:
1. . Did the BDC contract more Port Pilots, in addition to the three that we appear to have had already ?
2. . What is the situation with the two positions that seemed to have been advertised ?
3. . Who was the Pilot for that initial entry ?
4. . Who was the Pilot that was responsible when the vessel came back, after taking the load to Nelson ?
5. . Was there a Pilot available during the time the vessel was moored within Harbour limits, prior to the grounding ?
6. . What was the reimbursement provisions for the necessary staff, given the vessel delayed bar crossing ?
7. . Were any costs associated with the Port Pilot requirements passed on to WMS ?
7. . The Port would be required to have a Port Operating Plan, or similar named exposition.
Did this document contain the names of those holding the senior positions, including Port Manager, Harbour Master and Pilots ?
8. . Was that document correctly revised at the time and is it properly amended now ?
Yours faithfully,
Kevin Smith
From: BDC_Lgoima
Buller District Council
Dear Mr Smith
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Buller District Council | Phone 0800 807 239 | [2]bullerdc.govt.nz
PO Box 21 | Westport 7866
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From: BDC_Lgoima
Buller District Council
Dear Mr Smith
We refer to your official information request dated 19 January 2025.
Part of the information you have requested is marked below in red.
However we have decided to refuse your request for information which
relates to Qs. 3 and 4 under the Local Government & Official Information &
Meetings Act section 7 (2)(a) - to protect the privacy of individuals.
1. Did the BDC contract more Port Pilots, in addition to the three that
we appear to have had already ?
BDC does not have 3 Pilots. BDC has a contract with Port Marlborough, and
they supply one approved Pilot for Westport.
2. What is the situation with the two positions that seemed to have been
advertised ?
BDC was unable to find suitable candidates for the role here in Westport.
3. Who was the Pilot for that initial entry ?
Refused under LGOIMA sec 7 (2)(a)
4. Who was the Pilot that was responsible when the vessel came back,
after taking the load to Nelson ?
Refused under LGOIMA sec 7 (2)(a)
5. Was there a Pilot available during the time the vessel was moored
within Harbour limits, prior to the grounding ?
Yes - noting BDC stipulates sufficient notice by Westland Mineral Sands.
6. What was the reimbursement provisions for the necessary staff, given
the vessel delayed bar crossing ?
BDC pay a daily rate for the contract Pilot when they are in Westport. All
costs are passed on to Westland Mineral Sands for any pilotage or
attempted pilotage.
7. Were any costs associated with the Port Pilot requirements passed on
to WMS ?
Yes, Westland Mineral Sands were invoiced for pilotage activities.
8. The Port would be required to have a Port Operating Plan, or similar
named exposition.
Did this document contain the names of those holding the senior
positions, including Port Manager, Harbour Master and Pilots ?
Yes
9. Was that document correctly revised at the time and is it properly
amended now ?
Yes however it is not static and is a living document that is
updated as required.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact
the Buller District Council by return email to [2][email address].
Please note that it is our policy to proactively release our responses to
official information requests where possible. Our response to your request
may be published at
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with your personal information removed.
Kind regards
Paul Numan | Group Manager Corporate Services
Email [4][email address]
Buller District Council | Phone 0800 807 239 | [5]bullerdc.govt.nz
PO Box 21 | Westport 7866
Community Driven | One Team | Future Focused | Integrity | We Care
Email Disclaimer: This correspondence is for the named person's use only.
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