CRASHED NZ NAVY SHIP WAS LEFT ON AUTOPILOT, INQUIRY FINDS

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A New Zealand navy ship that crashed into a wharf in July was left on autopilot, an inquiry has found. The HMNZS Canterbury, a multi-role vessel, was involved in a maritime exercise when the incident occurred.

According to the inquiry's findings, the ship's bridge team had left the vessel on autopilot, which resulted in a loss of situational awareness. The autopilot system was not designed to navigate the ship through the narrow and congested waters where the incident occurred.

The inquiry also found that there were inadequate safety procedures in place, and that the bridge team had not followed standard operating procedures. The ship's crew had also not received adequate training on the use of the autopilot system.

The incident occurred on July 31, when the HMNZS Canterbury was taking part in a maritime exercise in the port city of Lyttelton. The ship crashed into a wharf, causing significant damage to both the vessel and the wharf.

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has accepted the findings of the inquiry and has apologized for the incident. The NZDF has also implemented a number of safety measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of New Zealand's naval vessels and the training of their crews. The NZDF has assured the public that it takes the safety of its personnel and vessels very seriously, and that it is committed to learning from the incident and implementing changes to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The inquiry's findings have also highlighted the importance of adequate training and safety procedures in the maritime industry. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges associated with maritime operations, and the need for constant vigilance and attention to safety protocols.

The NZDF has announced that it will be conducting a thorough review of its safety procedures and training programs to ensure that they are adequate and effective. The review will be led by an independent expert and will include input from a range of stakeholders, including maritime experts and safety professionals.

The incident has also sparked a wider debate about the safety of New Zealand's ports and harbors. The government has announced that it will be conducting a review of the country's maritime safety regulations to ensure that they are adequate and effective.

As the NZDF continues to investigate the incident and implement changes to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, the public will be watching closely to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to ensure the safety of New Zealand's naval vessels and personnel.

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