Health and safety for fishing vessels

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA), workers and others must be given the highest level of protection that is reasonably practicable.  

This means operators must reduce risks to your workers and other marine users. 

The types of health and safety risks on a fishing vessel will depend on the vessels and equipment you use.

 

Health and safety resources for the maritime sector

In addition to the resources for fishers you can access on this page, Maritime NZ also provides cross-cutting guidance for the whole maritime sector about health and safety.

This material includes information on worker engagement, participation, and representation (WEPR) for the maritime sector.

Fishers Health and Safety Leadership Group and Fishing Safely

Learn about who Maritime NZ works with in the commercial fishing sector (inshore and deepwater).

Investigation insights and maritime updates

Investigation insights and maritime updates provide practical information that crew, skippers and operators can use to keep people, property and the marine environment safe.

Guidance relevant to commercial fishing

Below are quick links to guidance relevant to commercial fishing.

Safe use of machines on ships
PDF: 968 kB, 21 pages
Download
Barge stability guidelines
PDF: 245 kB, 10 pages
Download
Working in confined spaces
PDF: 956 kB, 21 pages
Download
Health and Safety: A guide for mariners
PDF: 3.01 MB kB, 72 pages
Download