Quarterly fisheries observer health and safety incident data

We investigate all health and safety incidents reported to us

We learn about the types of injuries and risks that our observers are exposed to while at sea through incident reporting. It also tells us what health and safety incidents are affecting the crew or the vessel.

By investigating incidents, we:

assess how our controls are performing
learn where improvements to our systems and procedures can be made.

Observers proactively raise concerns with senior vessel personnel (like the skipper) for resolution. When necessary, Fisheries New Zealand collaborates with a vessel's management to resolve any concerns.

Where we are concerned that an observer's safety is at serious risk, we may remove the observer from the vessel.

Find out more about how we keep observers safe

Privacy of incident information

The information in these quarterly reports has been anonymised and generalised to maintain the privacy of the individuals involved. Some specifics about incidents have been removed for this purpose and only high-level information remains.

Actual consequence rating definitions

Safety Observation: The proactive identification of a risk before it materialises into a near-miss event.
Near miss: An incident that didn't result in harm, injury, or damage, but had the potential to do so.
Insignificant: Reversible injuries or illnesses (mental or physical) requiring first aid at most, no long-term effects.
Minor: Reversible injuries, illnesses, or exposures (mental or physical) requiring first aid or outpatient medical treatment, no long-term effects.
Moderate: Injury, illness, or exposure (mental or physical) requiring in-patient or outpatient medical treatment with reversible impairment lasting less than 6 months.
Major: Injury, illness, or exposure (mental or physical) requiring in-patient medical treatment with reversible or irreversible impairment lasting 6 months or more.
Severe: Work-related fatality affecting one or more people.

Summary of observer health and safety incidents

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Incident summary for Q2 2025

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Incident Description	Outcome	Actual Consequence Rating
Observer reported infected left eyelid.	The observer received initial treatment from the onboard medic and sought out a doctor once on shore.	Minor
An overhead light affixed to a gantry fell onto fishing deck.	No injuries. Investigation determined incorrect fitting on light used. Light and fitting was replaced at next turnaround.	Near Miss/Not Applicable
Fan in cabin malfunctioned.	Fan and electrical cable was repaired by vessel engineer.	Minor
Observer experienced fatigue due to inadequate breaks.	Observer Services reminded the observer to not exceed their maximum hours. Vessel was reminded that if they needed the observer available for more than 12 hours, they would require a second observer.	Minor
Observer injured knee when vessel shifted unexpectedly during heavy weather.	Ibuprofen and pain meds taken by observer to limit pain and swelling post-incident.	Minor
Observer experienced sore shoulder while lifting bins.	Given pain relief and Observer undertook light duties while recovering.	Minimal/Insignificant

Incident summary for Q1 2025

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Incident Description	Outcome	Actual Consequence Rating
Observer raised concerns about the possibility of repetitive strain injury from the amount of data entry in reporting software.	Software improved to make data entry easier for observers to mitigate the chance of future injuries.	Safety Observation
Right eye splashed with contaminated fish water when sampling.	Eye washed with clean water and no lingering injuring.	Near Miss/Not Applicable
Malfunctioning fan reported in observer cabin.	Fan disconnected and repaired by vessel engineer	Safety Observation
Observer strained their back.	Given pain relief and Observer undertook light duties while recovering.	Minimal/Insignificant
Neck and upper back pain from cramped conditions on vessel.	The observer received physio treatment following the deployment. Height of vessel accommodation added to pre departure risk assessment process.	Minor
Perceived threatening interaction with a crew member.	An incident investigation was undertaken. A language barrier was identified as the primary cause, and no clear threat determined.	Moderate
Observer made a complaint about observer workstation.	Based on the engineering it was deemed to create more risks altering the workstation. The current workstation remained as is.	Safety Observation
Fire alarm not heard by observer during fire drill.	Fire alarm settings investigated and appeared working. Observer Services referred the observer for follow up hearing tests.	Safety Observation
Observer reported pain in back and hamstring.	Observer visited a physio following the trip and recovered after following their advice. Changes were made to mattress on board vessel to mitigate future injuries.	Minor
Heated exchange between observer and crew member.	Observer and crew member de-escalated the situation, and no further issues experienced.	Minimal/Insignificant
Vessel raised concerns around observer experiencing fatigue.	Observer Services investigated and determined that it was unlikely the observer was suffering from fatigue.	Minor

Incident summary for Q4 2024

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Incident Description	Outcome	Actual Consequence Rating
Observer reported minor eye infection.	First aid was provided. Eye issue resolved without further medical treatment.	Minor
Observer injured their knee walking down vessel stairs when the vessel hit a wave.	Minor knee pain experienced following this event, but the Observer recovered without further treatment.	Minimal/Insignificant
Observer woke up to strained neck muscles.	Observer visited doctor following trip and was given heat pad and ibuprofen for recovery.	Minimal/Insignificant
Observer cut index finger during bio sampling.	First aid was provided. The Observer was reminded to use cut resistant gloves while sampling.	Minimal/Insignificant

Incident summary for Q3 2024

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Incident Description	Outcome	Actual Consequence Rating
Fish bin slid in rough weather and struck the observer's knee.	No medical treatment required taken. The pain receded after a few days.	Minor
Dyneema rope snapped during hauling.	Dyneema ropes were replaced, investigation identified that large catch and bad weather contributed to strain that led to incident. No injuries occurred and catch monitors were updated to better ensure catch bags do not exceed what is safe.	Near Miss/Not Applicable
Gilson wire snapped and hit bridge window.	No injury. Lever on control panel became stuck and caused tension that led to the incident. This was replaced the day after the incident.	Near Miss/Not Applicable
Observer received a fish spike in thumb while conducting bio sampling.	Observer cleaned injury and returned to work without further issue.	Minor
Observer lost balance and dropped fish knife during bio sampling in rough weather.	No injuries sustained.	Near Miss/Not Applicable
Observer twisted knee going down internal stairs on vessel.	Observer continued to experience pain in knee, consulted a doctor following the trip, and went on ACC. Stairs were inspected for any defaults or changes in depth. None found. Warning provided to observers when descending stairs.	Minor
Rubbish bags reported blocking walkways onboard fishing vessel.	Vessel cleared the walkway and provided assurances walkways would remain unobstructed.	Near Miss/Not Applicable

Incident summary for Q2 2024

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Description	Outcome	Actual consequence rating
When accessing an emergency access during normal duties an observer noticed it was blocked by debris.	The observer raised this with the vessel who removed the debris blocking the door. The operator instructed the vessel master to ensure that emergency accesses are not blocked at any time.	Safety observation
An observer identified a potential fire risk on board.	The observer notified this to the vessel who found that an arc welder had been left on. Additional ventilation was added to the storage location of the arc welder.	Safety observation
An observer injured their back due to rough weather.	No specific work cause could be identified, other than the vessel moving unexpectedly in rough weather. The observer sought treatment when back on land.	Minimal/Insignificant
An observer was not wearing required personal protective equipment when on deck.	The observer was provided feedback and was required to review PPE requirements for working on deck.	Safety observation
Water was soaking into an observer's mattress which caused mould to start growing.	The observer was moved into another cabin for the remainder of the trip. The cabin became damp due to its proximity to a freezer unit. The suitability of the cabin will be checked prior to the next deployment to this vessel.	Safety observation
A splice on a hauling rope failed and almost struck the observer.	The vessel reviewed the strop checking procedure with crew and increased the frequency of strop inspections. The previously identified safe zone has been identified as unsafe and will not be used for observing hauling. A Safety Alert was issued to observers regarding safe locations to view hauling operations from and the documented safety process for this task updated.	Near miss
An observer tripped over a conveyor in rough weather.	The observer suffered no long-term effects and changed started sliding their bin across the conveyor step to prevent the same injury from occurring again. The vessel made modifications to the conveyor area to reduce the likelihood of this incident reoccurring	Minor
An observer suffered a minor abrasion to their head when a fish fell from a conveyor.	The observer was treated by the on-board medic. The vessel investigated and found the observer was undertaking sampling while crew were otherwise occupied. It is standard procedure on this vessel that the observer and crew work together due to the layout of the vessel.	Minimal/Insignificant
An observer's finger was cut by a fish tooth.	The observer was treated on board and recovered fully.	Minor
An observer suffered a large fish spike injury.	The observer was treated on board; however, the wound later became infected. The observer sought treatment on shore for the infection and fully recovered. The incident was notified to Maritime New Zealand.	Minor

Incident summary for Q1 2024

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Incident description	Outcome	Actual consequence rating
An observer suffered a fish spike injury	The observer disinfected the wound and applied first aid. The wound healed without issue.	Minimal/Insignificant
A life raft on a vessel was found to be tied down after returning to port.	The vessel manager removed the ropes tying the life rafts down. No reason for the life rafts being tied down was identified. This incident was reported after a safety alert regarding tied down life rafts was issued to observers and the New Zealand Fishing Health and Safety Forum earlier in this reporting period	Safety observation
An internal door leading to an emergency access was tied closed from the other side.	The observer notified the vessel who immediately untied the door. The vessel raised the issue with the crew who were given instructions not to block or tie closed any emergency access doors.	Safety observation
An observer reported discomfort and pain when lifting	The observer was seen by the vessel's doctor and provided pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication. The observer switched to light duties and was referred to their doctor when back on shore.	Minor
An observer was not issued a life jacket at their Observer Services briefing	The observer was provided the life jacket from the observer disembarking. Observer Services reviewed the gear bag checking procedure and reinforced this procedure.	Near miss
An observer injured their back ducking under conveyor while carrying weighing scales	The observer managed pain at sea and was referred to their doctor for further treatment. The observer was given alternative strategies for avoiding the movement of scales under this conveyor. The location of the conveyor means that it is not able to be moved without significant reconfiguration of the vessel's factory.	Minimal/Insignificant
An observer felt lightheaded after leaving the vessel fish hold.	The vessel assessed the observer and all symptoms passed. The observer was put on light duties for the rest of the day. The observer returned to full duties the next day. The vessel checked for refrigerant leaks or any other contributing factors, but no definitive cause could be identified. It is suspected that the rapid change in temperature may have resulted in a temporary change in blood pressure.	Minimal/Insignificant
An irritating smell in the factory causing discomfort	The observer and crew noted an irritating smell which caused discomfort, stinging lungs, and coughing. All crew and the observer were evacuated, and the factory vented. After venting the factory, the crew and observer returned to work. The incident occurred twice and did not re-occur for the remainder of the trip. The vessel operator investigated but could find no conclusive cause but was likely due to odour from processing large quantities of non-target species.	Safety observation
An observer noted that the vessel's life rafts were tied down during pre-departure checks.	The observer raised this with the vessel who removed the ropes. The operator was notified who confirmed that the vessel master had been informed not to tie down life rafts. No further issues have occurred. This incident was reported after a safety alert regarding tied down life rafts was issued to observers and the New Zealand Fishing Health and Safety Forum earlier in this reporting period.	Safety observation
An observer reported various discomfort issues related to their desk set up	The chair on the vessel was replaced with a non-rotating height adjustable chair and the observer modified the desk set up to reduce discomfort.	Minimal/Insignificant
Particulate matter was being blown into the observer cabin via the air-conditioning vent	The vessel fitted a filter to the air-conditioning vent at the next maintenance period.	Safety observation
An observer reported various discomfort issues relating to work in the fish factory	The observer took breaks to minimise the impact of heavy wet weather gear and modified their work process to reduce discomfort. Observer Services is working with the observer to identify alternative wet weather gear.	Safety observation
An observer was issued a charger which had an expired electrical safety test tag	The process for issuing equipment to observers was reviewed internally and the shore team were retrained on the test and tag procedure.	Safety observation

Incident summary for Q4 2023

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Incident description	Outcome	Actual consequence rating
An observer suffered a knife wound while cutting open a fish.	The observer was treated by the on-board medic and was returned to port 5 days later due to increased pain and discomfort. The observer was admitted to hospital overnight and given antibiotics for an infection. The observer was discharged the next day and returned home. The observer has since had surgery to correct the injury and returned to work. The observer was using an unapproved method of sampling which was discussed post-incident and communicated to workers. The incident was notified to Maritime New Zealand.	Moderate
An observer experienced blurry vision in one eye after stretching.	The observer was removed from the vessel and taken to hospital where they underwent surgery for a detached retina. The observer made a full recovery and has since returned to duty. The incident was notified to Maritime New Zealand. No work cause could be identified. The vessel operator went above and beyond to ensure the observer was returned to port and received treatment during a holiday period.	Moderate
An observer noticed one of the vessel's life rafts was tied down.	The observer pointed out the rope to the first mate who immediately removed the rope. An investigation by the operator found that a securing rope had been left attached to the life raft. A securing rope is used temporarily when installing life rafts into a cradle. The securing rope had not been removed as intended. The vessel’s other life rafts were installed correctly and were not tied down. A safety alert for observers was issued to ensure that life rafts are not tied down as this prevents a life raft from being released if a vessel was to sink. This safety alert was shared with the New Zealand Fishing Health and Safety Forum.	Near miss
Alleged crew drug use on a vessel.	The report was referred back to the vessel operator who stated that drug use on the vessel is not tolerated. The crew on the voyage in question no longer work for the operator. The incident was referred to Maritime New Zealand.	Near miss
An observer was due to sail on board a vessel when they noticed crew were intoxicated.	The observer declined to board the vessel. The observer contacted Observer Services and was returned home. The issue was raised with the vessel operator and Maritime New Zealand. The vessel operator followed their internal protocols for managing drug and alcohol incidents.	Near miss
An observer fell sick while at sea.	The observer was cared for by the vessel medic. The observer was returned to shore for a medical assessment following shore-based medical advice. The observer was diagnosed with pneumonia. The observer has since recovered and returned to duty. No work cause could be identified.	Moderate
An observer tripped and fell on the deck in poor weather when using their 2-way communication device.	The observer suffered wrist and shoulder injuries as a result of the fall. The observer was able to return to light duties while at sea. The observer has since required surgery to correct the injury. Following the incident, the use of 2-way communication devices was reviewed with the aim of reducing the need for an observer to go outside in poor weather.	Moderate
An observer was almost swept off their feet while working on deck in rough weather.	The observer noticed a wave coming up the stern ramp of the vessel and moved back to avoid it. The observer was wearing all required PPE and applied their dynamic risk assessment training. Had the observer been swept off their feet they would have been assisted by the officer escorting the observer. The vessel reviewed processes for observer access to the deck during periods of darkness and rough weather.	Near Miss

Incident summary for Q3, 2023

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Incident description	Outcome	Actual consequence rating
An observer suffered from nausea and a migraine.	A welfare check was carried out and the situation monitored. The nausea and migraine passed without issue and no work cause identified.	Minimal/Insignificant
Large amounts of dust from on board maintenance were released into the air on board and into the observers cabin.	The observer discussed this with the vessel and was moved into an alternative cabin on an upper deck away from the maintenance being carried out. Observer Services reached out to the vessel operator who ceased the maintenance work as it was non-essential. The observer remained in the alternative cabin for the remainder of the trip and the affected cabin was cleaned by crew.	Minimal/Insignificant
An observer hit their head and neck climbing out of the pounds.	The observer's earmuff band took most of the impact. The area of concern was shared with the vessel for marking as a low head height position. The observer noted the peak of the bump cap as obscuring their view. The observer changed processes to move out of the pounds backwards. Bump caps have very short peaks and can be worn backwards if the peak is obstructing view.	Minor
An observer suffered a fish spike injury.	The observer cleaned the wound with fresh water and applied iodine as a disinfectant. No further treatment was required.	Minimal/Insignificant
An observer lost balance during rough weather and impacted guarded machinery resulting in light bruising.	No medical treatment was required. Observers are advised to limit duties during rough weather.	Minor
Due to a miscommunication, an observer ran out of bottled water during a trip.	The vessel operator was contacted, and the observer was provided with a full box of bottled water and the miscommunication was cleared up. Standard practice is that the observer is provided with a full box of water at the start of the trip and requests more as needed during the trip. There was no shortage of water on board the vessel.	Minimal/Insignificant
The vessel's ammonia alarm was triggered due to the release of ammonia through a pinhole leak in a compressor.	No one was harmed. All crew and the observer mustered while the engineers repaired the leak. Further investigation noted that the leak was likely due to a weld being performed while under tension. The pipework has since been replaced. The operator notified the incident to Maritime New Zealand.	Near Miss
An observer found their life jacket was missing from their gear bag upon arriving on board.	The observer was provided with a spare life jacket by the vessel. Observer Services reviewed their gear checking procedures and implemented an improved gear bag check procedure. All gear bags are checked prior to leaving the MPI office. Checklists are regularly reviewed to ensure the process is working effectively.	Near Miss
An observer worked more than 12 hours per day for a portion of their trip and reported fatigue concerns.	The observer’s Team Leader discussed the observers concerns with them. The observer had managed the fatigue during the trip themselves and were keeping to hours in the second half of the trip. A fatigue monitoring plan was put in place which was adhered to by the observer for the second voyage. Duties were reduced and slowly increased with fatigue concerns monitored closely. No further fatigue concerns were noted. Observers are not permitted to work more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period except in emergency situations. A 9-hour continuous rest break is required every 24 hours. These requirements are in place to ensure that fatigue is well managed.	Near Miss
A door handle dropped onto an observers hand resulting in bruising and swelling.	The observer received medical advice and treated the injury with ice. The observer reduced their duties but returned to full duties after a few days. The door handles on the weathertight door were joined by a single bar for ease of use; however, this caused the handles to drop when pushed open. The vessel has since removed the bar from the door handles.	Minor
An observer cut their finger on a shark tooth while moving a dead shark with crew.	The cut was treated on board by the vessel medic. No further treatment was required. Safe handling procedures for sharks were reviewed with the observer.	Minor
A vessel experienced a shutdown event while fishing.	The engine shut down was traced to a fault with the engines oil mist detector. After checking and establishing the cause was purely a fault with the sensor, the unit was changed out for a spare carried onboard and the engine re-started with the ship returning to normal operation. The vessel carries a spare oil mist detector onboard, and the faulty unit was despatched for repair. No injuries occurred and the vessel was safe at all times.	Near Miss
A fishing vessel lost power due to an entangled propellor and had to be towed back to port.	Coastguard New Zealand and a local vessel sailed out to meet the stricken vessel. The crew and observer were transferred to the Coastguard vessel and the stricken vessel was towed back into port by the local vessel. The vessel was inspected by the skipper and a foreign rope was found to be wound around the propellor. The rope was cut free, and the vessel tested. The vessel was able to return to sea for their next sailing. The operator notified Maritime New Zealand.	Near Miss
An observer knocked their head and elbow against a vessel bulkhead during steaming to the fishing grounds in rougher than normal conditions.	The observer noted this with their Team Leader at the next port call. The observer didn't require any treatment and was encouraged to check the forecast prior to sailing and contact Observer Services for advice.	Minor

Incident Summary for Q2, 2023

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Incident description	Outcome	Actual consequence rating
An observer hit their head in heavy swells resulting in a medical event	The vessel returned to port immediately afterwards and the observer was taken to hospital. The incident was reported to Maritime New Zealand.	Major
An observer reported lower back pain from lifting fish	The vessel's shore-based team coordinated with the vessel skipper to have the observer assessed by the skipper/medic. The observer was provided with pain relief, rested, and returned to regular duties with no further issues.	Minor
An observer was struck and threatened by a crew member	The observer disembarked the vessel, and the incident was referred to Fisheries Compliance and the New Zealand Police investigated.	Moderate
An observer suffered from sinusitis while on a vessel	The observer was assessed by the on-board medic and the infection managed at sea. The observer’s sinus returned to normal. No work cause could be identified.	Minor
The area around the observer factory workstation became slippery due to fish waste escaping through conveyer gaps	The issue with conveyor belt gaps and fish waste on the factory deck was raised with the operator. The operator is putting in a permanent fix to the factory layout during an upcoming maintenance period with the aim of eliminating the issue.	Near Miss
An ammonia leak occurred as a result of a valve being turned on accidentally	All crew mustered and vessel crew responded to isolate the leak. The vessel was vented of ammonia and returned to port. The cause of the leak was identified as being the type of valve in use. This valve could be accidentally knocked into an open position. This valve has been replaced and the company is working to identify other valves of the same type for replacement. This incident was notified to Maritime New Zealand.	Near Miss
Fishing gear struck the wheelhouse window during manoeuvring of a large catch of fish on deck.	Both the observer and skipper were in the wheelhouse at the time, neither were harmed. The impact resistant glass worked as designed and shattered in place. The operator's investigation identified that an incorrect type of strop was used, which failed under tension. Corrective actions included a crew debrief and replacement of all strops with Dyneema. A safety alert was issued to observers regarding fishing gear under tension. Additional checks for safe observation points for observers in the wheelhouse have been incorporated into the Pre-Placement Health and Safety Assessment and education about fishing gear under tension highlighted the trip briefing process.	Near Miss

Incident summary for Q1, 2023

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Incident description	Outcome	Actual consequence rating
An observer was seasick throughout a voyage	The observer was taken off the vessel for one voyage to recover, visited their GP and purchased more seasickness medication for the next voyage. Sea sickness was better managed during the next voyage; options have also been explored with the observer for managing this in the future.	Minor
An observer reported discomfort in their back related to manual handling	The observer's supervisor checked in with the observer and they reported the pain had subsided. No further action was required. The observer was reminded to keep bin weights between 15-20 kg and seek assistance when lifting anything above 20kg.	Minor
An observer got liquid in their eye during fish processing operations	The observer's eyelid became swollen, and treatment received from the vessel master. The observer’s eyelid returned to normal. An update was provided to all observers about the importance of wearing protective eyewear in the fish factory, how to clean out foreign substances from their eyes and seeking medical treatment from the vessel medic.	Minor
An observer reported numbness and tingling in their fingers after moving gear	The observer was seen by a physiotherapist for treatment. The cause of the injury was determined to the due to the manual handling of gear. Work has started to ensure that gear bags are not overfilled.	Moderate
An observer reported pain and discomfort	The injury was managed by reducing the biological sampling workload. The observer was seen by a physiotherapist for treatment. Alternative sampling techniques have been discussed to reduce repetitive movements and an action to develop a sampling technique video for the species has been added to the programme of work.	Moderate
A small ammonia leak was detected the fish factory	As a precaution all crew and the observer were evacuated from the factory, the leak identified and repaired by engineers. No one was harmed and no ammonia alarms were triggered due to the low concentration of ammonia in the air.	Near miss
An observer reported pain in their eye	The observer was assessed by the medic and was suspected to be a sinus infection. The observer visited hospital upon return to port and was cleared. The doctor confirmed that it was just a sinus infection. No work-related cause could be identified.	Moderate
The observer strained their wrist getting out of their bunk	The pain from the strain was made obvious to the observer when carrying out sampling duties on larger fish. The observer swapped to sampling a smaller species. The observer did not seek medical attention following the return to port as the pain had subsided.	Minor
An observer slipped down the stairs and wrenched both arms	The observer was seen by the on-board doctor and provided with pain relief. The observer was returning to a lower deck after exercising wearing personal footwear which was not anti-slip. The observer visited a physiotherapist when they returned to port. The observer was cleared for a return to duty.	Moderate
Two small ammonia leaks in the fish factory	As a precaution all crew and the observer were evacuated from the factory in both instances. There was no cause found for the first leak, the second leak was identified, repaired and work was resumed. No one was harmed and no ammonia alarms were triggered due to the low concentration of ammonia in the air.	Near miss
Fish spike in finger when removing fish from the pounds	The observer saw the medic on board and had the wound cleaned out. The wound became infected and inflamed. The wound was monitored daily by the vessel medic and the infection subsided and returned to normal. The observer saw their GP when back on land as a precaution and was cleared for work. Observer Services is investigating improvements to gloves used that have needlestick protection.	Moderate
An observer reported abdominal pain after moving bins of fish	The observer reported the incident to the vessel and was seen by the vessel medic. The observer rested and was reminded to ask crew for assistance to move bins where required. The observer saw their GP on land and has had no further pain.	Moderate

Incident summary for Q4, 2022

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Incident description	Outcome	Actual consequence rating
During rough weather an observer stumbled over a deck hose jarring their knee.	The observer’s knee became swollen and tender. The observer rested their knee overnight and used a knee support bandage. The observer received treatment from their doctor.	Moderate
An observer developed a sore shoulder.	No specific cause could be identified, but likely to be related to manual handling. The pain subsided after resting their shoulder and was able to return to full duties with no further issues.	Minor
An observer experienced mild pain and discomfort in their knee.	The observer rested their knee and applied ice to the injury. The discomfort subsided and the observer was able to resume work. No further issues and no definitive work cause could be identified.	Minor
An observer sprained their wrist due to repetitive movements while sampling fish.	The observer applied a wrist strap and rested for two days. The observer returned to work with some lingering discomfort. Upon returning to shore the observer was seen by a physiotherapist.	Minor
An observer developed a sore back from lifting fish bins.	The observer noted joint and back pain after lifting fish bins on the deck. The observer was not limiting fish bin weights to 15kg. Limiting fish bin weights to 15kg and under was reinforced with the observer. Observers have been provided with smaller bins to reduce risks posed by manual handling.	Moderate

Incident summary for Q3, 2022

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Incident description	Outcome	Actual consequence rating
The observer cabin and adjacent crew cabins became infested with bed bugs	At the next port call the vessel was professionally fumigated and bedding replaced. The observer sailed with the vessel and did not report any further issues. A subsequent observer was deployed which reported bed bugs on the final day of their coverage. They were removed from the vessel at the next port call. A significant portion of the vessel’s internal accommodation was rebuilt and fumigated at the vessels maintenance period. The issue has been resolved.	Minor
A pre-existing injury was aggravated from repetitive biological sampling	The observer switched to light duties and used their wrist brace to manage the injury.	Minor
A skipper and crew member failed a random drug test on arrival to port	The skipper and crew member were stood down as per the company's drug and alcohol policy. Coverage on the vessel was suspended until the skipper was cleared to return to work after passing a follow up test.	Minor
An observer lost their footing in the fish factory and fell onto a conveyer belt guarding	The observer’s shin was bruised resulting in swelling. The observer rested while the pain subsided. The non-slip deck coating was reapplied, and additional grit added around the observer workstation to improve grip.	Minor
Close quarters navigation situation at sea	The skipper noticed another vessel was on a collision course with the vessel. The skipper took appropriate action and adjusted their course to avoid a collision. The close quarters situation was referred to Maritime New Zealand.	Minor
A pre-existing shoulder injury was aggravated due to lifting bins of fish	The observer was treated by their doctor and was put on light duties. Vessel crew assisted the observer with further lifting when they returned to full duties.	Moderate
A skipper was allegedly hostile towards an observer	The observer disembarked during an unplanned port call. The concerns were raised with the company who carried out an internal HR investigation and identified some opportunities for improvement for future trips. Additional controls were put in place by FNZ and two experienced observers were deployed on a subsequent trip.	Moderate
An observer developed an infected tooth while at sea	The vessel medic provided medication for the pain and infection. The observer was seen by a dentist at the next port call. No work cause was identified.	Minor
An observer developed a sore back from the ergonomic set up in the observer cabin	An external ergonomist was contracted to provide an assessment of the workstation on board. Recommendations from the ergonomist are being implemented in a staged approach to improve the workstation ergonomics on multiple vessels.	Minor
An observer slipped on offal on the factory floor	The observer was unharmed. The cause was identified as blocked sump grates and a gap in conveyer belt guarding which allowed offal to drop onto the factory floor. Maintenance has been completed to resolve the issue.	Minor
A piece of unknown material was flicked up by fishing operations and hit the observers face 2 cm from their eye	The observer was uninjured. The observer discussed the incident with the skipper and the safe observation point was moved. The observer was not wearing their impact resistant eyewear as required. The observer was reminded to wear their impact resistant eyewear.	Minor
A skipper attempted to sail the vessel under the influence of alcohol	The observer raised this with the skipper at the time and disembarked the vessel. The vessel did not depart port. The vessel operator was informed and followed their drug and alcohol management plan, following which the issue has been addressed. Coverage on the vessel was suspended while the vessel operator carried out their process. The incident was reported to the Maritime New Zealand.	Minor
A vessel engine stalled while mooring leading to a slow speed collision	While preparing to tie up at a floating wharf the vessel’s engine stalled which caused a slow speed (<5 knots) bow to stern collision with another vessel which was moored. No injuries were suffered, and only minor damage to the other vessel above the waterline. The damage was repaired in port and the incident was referred to Maritime New Zealand.	Minor
The observer cabin became infested with bed bugs	At the next port call the observer cabin was professionally fumigated and bedding replaced. The issue was resolved after fumigation and during the vessels maintenance period the observer cabin and adjacent cabins were rebuilt as a precaution. The issue has been resolved.	Minor
A near-electrical fire triggered a vessel fire alarm	The source of the alarm was a melting electrical cable. The smoke was extinguished, no one was injured, and no substantial damage occurred. Damage was able to be repaired at sea. The incident was notified to Maritime New Zealand and learnings circulated in issue 94 of SeaChange, and to other operators of similar vessel design.	Minor

Incident summary for Q2, 2022

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Incident description	Outcome	Actual consequence rating
An observer lost their footing while transiting the factory in rough sea conditions. The observer suffered a shoulder injury when steadying themselves.	The incident was reported to the vessel. The observer received treatment after returning to shore and has since returned to work.	Moderate
An observer tripped over the top of a wharf ladder when disembarking a vessel.	Design issues with the wharf ladder reduce foot space for the top 2 ladder rungs. This has been referred onto the port operator.	Moderate
A vessel allegedly did not keep watch while drifting at night.	The observer was removed at the earliest opportunity. The matter was referred to Maritime NZ who visited the operator. Watchkeeping policies and procedures will be reviewed prior to the next deployment.	Insignificant
An observer developed a sore finger from repetitive movements while sampling fish.	The vessel was informed of the injury, and sampling was scaled down. No medical attention was required.	Minor
A vessel's anchor was caught in fishing gear which damaged a window.	No one was injured. The glass was impact resistant and worked as designed. The impact resistant glass was replaced and vessel hauling procedures updated.	Insignificant
An observer suffered a cut to their finger while sampling a fish.	The wound was treated by the vessel doctor and cleaned each day. The observer stopped biological sampling until the wound healed. The workstation had become slick with blood during sampling and the observer was not wearing their cut resistant glove as required when using knives. The wound has healed with no further treatment required.	Minor
An observer suffered from a cold.	The vessel was informed, and the observer took a sick day and used pain relief as required to manage symptoms.	Insignificant
Tight living quarters and limited space for exercise led to an observer developing a sore back.	The observer sought treatment upon return and has recovered. Some smaller vessels have limited space on board, which can reduce the ability for exercise. These trips are typically short with days on shore between voyages.	Minor
An observer reported post-trip that the vessel did not have suitable private space for the observer to use the vessel's toilet.	This will be addressed before the next deployment to this vessel.	Minor
The observer conducted their pre-departure checks of the vessel's safety equipment and found the life raft was expired.	Sailing was delayed, allowing for a replacement life raft to be fitted.	Insignificant
Fish debris entered an observer's eye during biological sampling leading to a minor infection.	The infection was treated on board by the vessel and biological sampling was suspended until the observer was fully fit. Observer Services have updated their PPE requirements for the optional use of eye protection when performing biological sampling.	Minor
An observer reported post-trip that they were regularly woken by vessel crew to authorise discards of fish.	The observer and operator were reminded about how fatigue is to be managed. Fatigue management is discussed during the observer's induction to the vessel and during the vessel's debrief.	Insignificant
An observer developed a sore finger from repetitive movements while sampling fish.	A different sampling technique was used to reduce repetitive movements.	Minor
Crew and skipper allegedly openly used drugs in front of the observer and allegedly failed to keep watch while drifting at night.	The observer was removed from the vessel at the earliest opportunity. The operator has advised that the crew have been dismissed. The incident was reported to NZ Police and Maritime NZ with Maritime NZ visiting the vessel. Watchkeeping and drug/alcohol policies will be reviewed prior to the next deployment.	Minor
An observer tripped on a lower doorframe in rough weather.	Vessel personnel were notified of the incident and the observer was seen by the vessel doctor. The observer’s injury was managed by MPI’s injury management provider and the observer was put on light duties. The observer has since returned to full duties.	Moderate
A vessel allegedly failed to keep a watch.	The observer discussed their concerns with the skipper and the issue was immediately rectified. There were no further watchkeeping concerns for the remainder of the coverage period. Maritime NZ contacted the vessel operator to discuss watchkeeping requirements.	Insignificant
A near miss occurred while an observer was monitoring the unload of a vessel. The strop used by the crane snapped after being caught up. This caused the crane boom to move back and forth.	No one was harmed. The strops being used were of unknown quality and rating and were identified as the cause of the incident. The crane operator has made changes to operating procedures for fishing vessel unloads and ensuring that fit-for-purpose strops are used. The incident was reported to the PCBUs involved and the port operator.	Insignificant
An observer had abdominal pain.	Observer assessed by the vessel medic. Observer returned to work when fully fit. No work cause identified.	Minor
An observer cut their index finger while cleaning their knife.	The observer administered first aid and was able to return to work.	Minor
Vessel crew allegedly using drugs at sea.	The observer was removed from the vessel, coinciding with a national lockdown. The incident was reported to Maritime NZ and the vessel operator. The vessel's drug and alcohol policy was discussed with the operator prior to the next deployment, which occurred without issue.	Minor
Eye irritation from fish debris.	First aid treatment provided by vessel medic. Biological sampling was suspended until the observer was fully fit. Observer Services have updated their PPE requirements for the optional use of eye protection when performing biological sampling.	Minor
A vessel allegedly did not keep watch while drifting at night.	The observer was removed at the earliest opportunity and the incident was referred to Maritime NZ who visited the operator. Vessel watchkeeping standards were revised and updated. A subsequent deployment occurred without issue.	Insignificant

Incident summary for Q1, 2022

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A total of 2,363 sea days were delivered during the period 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2022.

Incident description	Outcome	Actual consequence rating
An observer device sparked while being charged.	The observer stopped using the device and a replacement device was arranged. The device was returned and sent for repair.	Insignificant
An observer found a suspected illicit substance in their assigned cabin prior to sailing.	The observer reported this to the vessel's personnel, which followed the processes as prescribed by their drug and alcohol management plan and the risk was eliminated.	Insignificant
An observer experienced hostile behaviour from a vessel skipper during a deployment. The observer felt threatened at times.	Observer services engaged with the vessel owner to resolve the issue. The owner and skipper were interviewed by Maritime New Zealand and fisheries compliance. The skipper acknowledged and apologised for the hostile behaviour. Maritime New Zealand and fisheries compliance have discontinued their enquiries.	Minor
The use of toilet and shower facilities were limited due to insufficient fresh water on board.	The issue was reported to the vessel owner, New Zealand Food Safety, and Maritime New Zealand. The vessel underwent full survey, and no further action was required.	Minor
Disrupted sleep due to crew alarms developed into cumulative fatigue over time.	The observer raised the concern with their supervisor and discussed the issue with the skipper. A change in vessel operations resolved the issue.	Minor
An observer experienced pain and discomfort when bending over in the factory.	The observer was put on light duties and received help from vessel crew with any lifting tasks. The pain resolved throughout the voyage.	Minor
A skipper displayed threatening behaviour to an observer when discussing a health and safety concern.	Fisheries Compliance visited the skipper and discussed the situation. The skipper was issued a written warning letter for their behaviour. The skipper agreed that in future they would conduct themselves more appropriately if issues arise in the future. An observer has since been deployed to this vessel and no further issues have occurred.	Moderate

Note: The information contained in these tables excludes incidents which are under active investigation by Maritime New Zealand, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), and other partner agencies. Consideration has been given to the reasons to withhold information provided for in the Official Information Act. This may result in some information not being included.

Data disclaimers

Investigations and prosecutions

Quarterly reports of observer health and safety incidents are provided for information purposes and only include incidents that either involved an observer or had the potential to do so. Details have been redacted or summarised to preserve the identity of those involved and are not intended to be a final account for each incident.

Incidents which are under active investigation internally or by partner agencies such as Maritime New Zealand may be withheld partly or in full to prevent prejudicing an investigation or judicial process.

For this reason, the information does not provide a full picture of incidents reported and is therefore not suitable for statistical or analytical purposes.

Reported date versus incident date

Due to the remote nature of observer work, in some instances there can be a lag between when an incident occurred and when it was reported. Observers may report incidents that occurred during a previous quarter in the following quarter. To ensure that data isn't required to be updated retrospectively, incidents are published based on their reported date rather than the date of the incident. This will result in a variation of incident numbers between quarters.

This data only covers time when observers are on deployment

The incident data covers incidents that were reported via MPI's health and safety incident reporting system for the indicated quarter during an observer deployment. The number of days at sea ("sea days") are also provided as context.

Who to contact

If you have questions about fisheries observer health and safety incident data, email info@mpi.govt.nz

We investigate all health and safety incidents reported to us

Privacy of incident information

Actual consequence rating definitions

Summary of observer health and safety incidents

Incident summary for Q2 2025

Incident summary for Q1 2025

Incident summary for Q4 2024

Incident summary for Q3 2024

Incident summary for Q2 2024

Incident summary for Q1 2024

Incident summary for Q4 2023

Incident summary for Q3, 2023

Incident Summary for Q2, 2023

Incident summary for Q1, 2023

Incident summary for Q4, 2022

Incident summary for Q3, 2022

Incident summary for Q2, 2022

Incident summary for Q1, 2022

Data disclaimers

Investigations and prosecutions

Reported date versus incident date

This data only covers time when observers are on deployment

Who to contact

MPI business units