Maritime rules relate to the safety of ships and people. The rules prescribe requirements for ship design, construction, equipment, crewing, operation and tonnage measurement, and for the carriage of passengers and cargoes. Many of the standards are based on international ship safety conventions.

The maritime and marine protection rules are statutory instruments (or secondary legislation) made by the Minister of Transport under the Maritime Transport Act 1994.

While the Maritime Transport Act stipulates broad principles of maritime law, the rules contain detailed technical standards and procedures. Compliance with the rules is required because they form part of New Zealand maritime law. Failure to comply with the rules may be an offence under the act.

Maritime New Zealand has the power to make emergency rules in certain circumstances, under the Maritime Transport Act 1994.

Part 21: Safe Ship Management Systems

Part 21 is divided into two sections.

Section 1 incorporates the SOLAS 74 Chapter IX requirement that shipowners implement a shore-based and shipboard safe management system in compliance with the International Safety Management Code (ISM Code).

Section 2 requires ships be in an approved Safe Ship Management (SSM) system managed by and approved by the Director of Maritime NZ for that purpose.

Part 22: Collision Prevention

Part 22 provides the 'Rules of the road' for ships. Also included are the standards for the installation performance and use of lights for collision avoidance, and the sound and light signals used for the communication of safety information

Part 31B: Crewing & Watchkeeping - Offshore, Coastal & Restricted (Non-Fishing Vessels)

Part 31B provides for the determination of the number of crew and qualifications required on restricted-limit ships (other than fishing ships), and ships of less than 45 metres in length that operate outside restricted limits (other than fishing ships).

Part 91: Navigational Safety Rules

Part 91 continues the basic navigation safety rules contained in the Water Recreation Regulations, 1974, with some modifications and additions to bring the requirements up-to-date with modern boating conditions and safety expectations.

Part 91 sets basic national navigation standards. These standards may be enforced locally by Regional Councils through consistent bylaws made under the Local Government Act 1974. Regional variation is permitted in the navigation safety bylaws through mechanisms prescribed in Part 91.

Part 91 also covers new requirements for the carriage of personal floatation devices (buoyancy aids designed to be worn on the body) on pleasure craft.

Provision is made for exemptions to these requirements in restricted circumstances where compliance with the rule is impractical or inappropriate. The rules, which incorporate a standard for personal floatation devices, also make the wearing of personal floatation devices mandatory in certain circumstances.

		Marine Education Centre Te Whare Wānanga o Ngā Matataua a Tangaroa Scouts NZ - Region 1

		Nautical Rules
		Maritime Rules
		Maritime rules relate to the safety of ships and people. The rules prescribe requirements for ship design, construction, equipment, crewing, operation and tonnage measurement, and for the carriage of passengers and cargoes. Many of the standards are based on international ship safety conventions. The maritime and marine protection rules are statutory instruments (or secondary legislation) made by the Minister of Transport under the Maritime Transport Act 1994. While the Maritime Transport Act stipulates broad principles of maritime law, the rules contain detailed technical standards and procedures. Compliance with the rules is required because they form part of New Zealand maritime law. Failure to comply with the rules may be an offence under the act. Maritime New Zealand has the power to make emergency rules in certain circumstances, under the Maritime Transport Act 1994. Part 21: Safe Ship Management Systems Part 21 is divided into two sections. Section 1 incorporates the SOLAS 74 Chapter IX requirement that shipowners implement a shore-based and shipboard safe management system in compliance with the International Safety Management Code (ISM Code). Section 2 requires ships be in an approved Safe Ship Management (SSM) system managed by and approved by the Director of Maritime NZ for that purpose. Part 22: Collision Prevention Part 22 provides the 'Rules of the road' for ships. Also included are the standards for the installation performance and use of lights for collision avoidance, and the sound and light signals used for the communication of safety information Part 31B: Crewing & Watchkeeping - Offshore, Coastal & Restricted (Non-Fishing Vessels) Part 31B provides for the determination of the number of crew and qualifications required on restricted-limit ships (other than fishing ships), and ships of less than 45 metres in length that operate outside restricted limits (other than fishing ships). Part 91: Navigational Safety Rules Part 91 continues the basic navigation safety rules contained in the Water Recreation Regulations, 1974, with some modifications and additions to bring the requirements up-to-date with modern boating conditions and safety expectations. Part 91 sets basic national navigation standards. These standards may be enforced locally by Regional Councils through consistent bylaws made under the Local Government Act 1974. Regional variation is permitted in the navigation safety bylaws through mechanisms prescribed in Part 91. Part 91 also covers new requirements for the carriage of personal floatation devices (buoyancy aids designed to be worn on the body) on pleasure craft. Provision is made for exemptions to these requirements in restricted circumstances where compliance with the rule is impractical or inappropriate. The rules, which incorporate a standard for personal floatation devices, also make the wearing of personal floatation devices mandatory in certain circumstances.

		Contact: Marine Education Centre