Staying compliant in MOSS
As the holder of a Maritime Transport Operator Certificate (MTOC) it is your responsibility to ensure that your Maritime Transport Operator Plan (operator plan) is up to date and appropriate for your operation. You must also ensure that all the vessels in your operation are safe. Also Maritime NZ will engage with you to ensure you continue to operate safely and follow your operator plan.
These are the main things you will need to focus on:
1. Changes requiring notification
You must notify Maritime NZ as soon as is possible about the following changes:
- when a vessel enters or exits the operation
- if the name of the operation or trading name changes
- if the contact details (address, phone, fax, email) for the operation change.
You will need to complete the Notification of update to an operator plan form for changes of this type. Notification of update to an operator plan[PDF: 161kB, 9 pages]
When a vessel exits the operation (whether permanently or for a short term), you will also need to complete the Change of vessel status or ownership form. Change of vessel status or ownership form [PDF: 212Kb, 2 pages]
2. Changes requiring approval
You must obtain approval from Maritime NZ before you make any changes to transport operator details including:
- the full name of the operator
- the person(s) responsible for the following:
- the operation
- resourcing of the operation
- crew training and competency assessments
- operational decisions, including the control and scheduling of maintenance and internal
quality assurance
A new person exercising responsibilities must complete a Fit and proper person form.
- the primary harbours or ports from which the operation is conducted
- the category or categories and the activity or activities of operation that will be conducted under the MTOC.
You will need to complete the Application to update an operator plan form for changes of this type.
Application to update an operator plan[PDF: 245kB, 15 pages] Fit and proper person form[PDF: 361Kb, 10 pages]
3. Certificates of survey
The rules about surveying your vessel are an essential requirement of MOSS.
Responsibility for compliance with the rules rests with you, as the operator.
You must ensure that each vessel that is part of the operation has a valid certificate of survey issued under rule 44.41 (or a deemed certificate of survey under rule 44.81) and any other certificates required under other maritime rules and maritime protection rules.
If you are in any doubt as to the vessel(s) compliance with the maritime rules in relation to survey dates you should discuss it, in the first instance, with a recognised surveyor.
4. MOSS audits
The MOSS audit looks at how your operation is performing against your operator plan under your MTOC.
Ongoing MOSS audits look at your whole operation and check, that you are operating safely and following your operator plan, and that you continue to do so.
Getting help
Contact a Maritime Officer for help with your operational and health and safety requirements.