Safety equipment
All New Zealand commercial vessels must be equipped with:
- lifesaving appliances and
- fire fighting appliances
These appliances must meet the applicable performance standards in the rules and have an approval certificate or a statement of acceptance issued by Maritime New Zealand (MNZ).
There are different requirements for the type and quantity of lifesaving (LSA) and fire fighting (FFA) appliances for each vessel. Owners of ships that are operating commercially should contact their safety management system (SMS) surveyor to find out what equipment they need.*
* Surveyors may require ship owners to carry additional lifesaving and fire fighting equipment above the minimum specified in the Maritime Rules. Any appliances and/or radio equipment that are additional to the minimum equipment required must also meet the survey standards.Approved safety equipment
Product information - MNZ can provide complete details for any of the products listed in these registers.
The maritime products listed in the following registers meet the requirements for lifesaving and fire fighting appliances:
Radio equipment is regulated by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment under the Radiocommunications Act 1989. Go to the Radio Spectrum Management website wwww.rsm.govt.nz for information on compliance requirements.
Fire fighting appliances that meet the performance standards in Maritime Rule Part 42B are issued a statement of acceptance.
Authorised service providers
The service providers listed in the document below are authorised to perform an examination, operational testing, repair, or overhaul of lifeboats, rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear on SOLAS ships:
Life-saving appliance training manual
The guideline below provides information for owners and operators of SOLAS ships on the information that must be included in a life-saving appliance training manual:
About the rules
Maritime and marine protection rules contain detailed technical standards and procedures and form part of New Zealand’s maritime law.
Applying for an exemption
Under certain circumstances, we may grant exemptions from complying with a maritime or marine protection rule.