Maritime Rules Part 31

Current version of Part 31

This rule applies to:

• New Zealand passenger and non-passenger commercial ships and fishing vessels
• any foreign passenger ship or non-passenger ship of 500GT or more that is registered in a state party to STCW or SOLAS and that is operating commercially within New Zealand waters.

Download Maritime Rules Part 31[PDF: 1.17MB, 43 pages]

Part 31 sets out requirements relating to the minimum crew numbers and crew certificates and qualifications for New Zealand passenger and non-passenger commercial ships and fishing vessels, subject to some exceptions. It also provides for a process for the issue of Minimum Safe Crewing Documents.

This Part also sets out requirements relating to fitness for duty, prescribed hours of rest, and watchkeeping that apply in relation to some ships in accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

Maritime NZ is currently amending the Advisory Circulars for Maritime Rules Part 31.

Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) changes to Part 31 as at March 2017

Part 31 amended to reflect elements of existing provisions in Part 31 to meet the requirements of the MLC. This includes compliance with minimum crewing and STCW hours of rest, and prerequisites for employment as a ship’s cook.

Part 31.43(1)(c)(i) amended to reflect the replacement of the National Certificate in Hospitality (Cookery) (Level 3) with the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3). The certificates are required for cooks serving on ships over 1,000 gross tonnage operating in the unlimited area.