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  • Commercial Operators

    Commercial Operators

    Small domestic vessels under 500GT
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    • Operating in the commercial fishing sector
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    • Operating in the Aquaculture sector
    Passenger vessels under 500GT
    • Passenger vessel operator requirements
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    • Agency roles in offshore oil, gas and mineral activity in New Zealand
    • Requirements overseen by Maritime NZ
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    Port operators and operations
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    NZ flagged vessels
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  • Seafarers

    Seafarers

    Getting certified
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    Working at sea
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    Getting help
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    Pilots
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    • Becoming a pilot
    • Pilot licensing
    • Pilot training and ongoing proficiency
  • Recreational craft

    Recreational craft

    Getting started
    • Boating basics
    • Before you go
    On the water
    • Rules and safety
    • Rules on the water
    • Environment
    • Applying to hold a temporary maritime event
    • Environmental responsibilities
    Your craft
    • Vessel Specific Information
    • Going overseas
    New Zealand Safer Boating Forum
  • Surveyors and third parties

    Surveyors and third parties

    Recognised Surveyors overview
    • Becoming a Recognised Surveyor
    Conducting surveys
    • Surveying under MOSS
    • Surveying for Ballast Water Management (BWM)
    • Resources for surveyors
    Find a Recognised Surveyor or third party
    • Recognised Surveyors
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    • Recognised Design Approvers
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    • Recognised Radio Surveyors
    • Authorised Persons
    • Approved Inspection Agencies
    • Approved Medical Practitioners
    • List of Recognised Organisations
    News and updates
  • Readiness and Response

    Readiness and Response

    Overview
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    • Our role in the system
    In an emergency
    • Radio a MAYDAY
    Navigational safety and communications
    • Aids to navigation
    • Hazards to navigation
    Beacons and communications
    • Maritime radio
    • Maritime radio service for New Zealand
    Maritime Incident Readiness and Response (MIRR)
    • Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ)
    • Maritime Incident Response
    • Oil pollution response
    Reporting incidents
    • Accident reporting definitions
    • Incidents and investigations
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    • Reporting summaries
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  • About us

    About us

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Getting started
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Before you go
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Surviving in cold water
Types of lifejackets
Check your lifejackets
Communications
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On the water
Key safety messages for recreational boating
Alcohol
Boaties out of their depth with alcohol
Alcohol contributes to drowning
Jetski kills joyriding teenager
Fatal capsize on fishing trip
Horseplay ends in drowning
Crossing the bar
Recreational tuna fishing
Regional safety information
Speed restrictions for boats on Wairarapa rivers
Lake Kaniere water skiing and swimming areas
Rules on the water
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Applying to hold a temporary maritime event
Environmental responsibilities
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Vessel Specific Information
Jet boating
Personal Water Craft and jetskis
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Taking your boat overseas
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New Zealand Safer Boating Forum - Maritime NZ
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  1. Home
  2. Recreational boaties
  3. On the water

On the water

It is your responsibility to know and understand the rules before heading out.

Explore essential on-water topics, from rules and safety to alcohol effects, crossing the bar and temporary maritime events. Stay safe, compliant, and prepared for the conditions you may encounter at sea.

Safety messages

Before you hit the water, there are several things you need to do so you come home safe.

Rules on the water

It is your responsibility to know and understand the rules before heading out.

Environmental responsibilities

Information about your environmental responsibilities and how they relate to the marine environment.

Safety messages

Before you hit the water, there are several things you need to do so you come home safe.

Rules on the water

It is your responsibility to know and understand the rules before heading out.

Environmental responsibilities

Information about your environmental responsibilities and how they relate to the marine environment.

Related information:

You and your boat

Follow these tips to help keep your boat in safe working condition.

Skipper responsibilities

Read about your responsibilities as a skipper and understand the boating rules to ensure the safety of all those on board.

Boating courses

Coastguard Education provides boating courses throughout New Zealand, offering courses to suit all abilities, types of boating, and training pathways.

Sign up for SeaChange

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Maritime NZ

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Email [email protected]
Address
Level 11, 1 Grey Street,
Wellington 6011,
New Zealand.

PO Box 25620,
Wellington,
New Zealand
Phone
New Zealand (toll free): 0508 225 522
Calling from outside New Zealand: + 64 473 0111
Fax New Zealand: + 64 4 494 1263
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