Taking your boat overseas
Your legal requirements
Anyone intending to take their recreational boat (recreational craft) overseas must meet requirements in section 21 of the Maritime Transport Act, which is designed to support the safe passage of boats and their crew when departing for overseas.
Under section 21, a skipper (master) of a recreational craft departing for overseas must:
- satisfy the Director of Maritime NZ that the vessel and its safety equipment are adequate for the voyage; and
- satisfy the Director of Maritime NZ that the vessel is adequately crewed for the voyage
- observe any relevant maritime rules and marine protection rules; and
- notify the Director of Maritime NZ of their intention to depart New Zealand before they leave.
Please note that before New Zealand Customs gives clearance for the boat to depart for overseas under the Customs and Excise Act, they will need to see evidence that the requirements under section 21 of the Maritime Transport Act have been met.
Depending on whether your boat is foreign, or New Zealand flagged, the process under section 21 will be different.
Anyone intending to take a New Zealand-flagged recreational boat overseas must complete an application for an International Voyage Certificate (pleasure craft) from Maritime NZ. Please allow at least three months from the time of the application to your intended departure. Applicants for an International Voyage Certificate (IVC) must meet several safety and administrative requirements before they can depart. This process is outlined below.
If you have a foreign flagged vessel, you will have to meet the requirements of your flag and notify the Director of Maritime NZ of your intention to depart New Zealand.
Apply for an International Voyage Certificate (Pleasure Craft)
Step 1:
Before you apply, Maritime NZ recommends you read the Guidance for International Voyage Certificate application. This guidance explains the application process and adequacy requirements you need to meet. This guidance is continually updated as the process and technology change, so check below to get the latest version.
Step 2:
Fill out the International Voyage Certificate Application form. You can complete it electronically or on paper. The form asks about your vessel and the experience of you and your crew. Email the completed form and all other required information asked for in the form to: [email protected]
Step 3:
Once Maritime NZ receives your application, you will receive a link for payment. A fixed fee of NZ$490 (GST inclusive) will be charged. The fee covers processing the application, including a single visit to the vessel. There is no extra charge for travel related to the assessment.
A Maritime NZ Vessel Adequacy Assessor will review your application. If the material meets the requirements, the Vessel Adequacy Assessor will contact you to arrange an onsite assessment of the vessel, including an out‑of‑water assessment.
The onsite assessment checks the adequacy of the vessel and its safety equipment. There will be one onsite visit per application.
Step 4:
You must confirm that all crew have completed the pre‑departure drill checklist. Maritime NZ will not issue an IVC until you submit this checklist.
Replacement certificates
An IVC is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. If you need more time and there are no changes to the vessel, its equipment, or crew from the original certificate, you can apply for a replacement certificate. A replacement certificate will be valid for a further 30 days.
You must request a replacement certificate within the original 60‑day validity period. After that, the IVC will no longer be valid. The fee for a replacement IVC is NZ$245 (GST inclusive).
If there are material changes to the craft, crew, or equipment, you must submit a new IVC application.
Email [email protected] if you need a replacement certificate.
Other information
Background to changes to section 21 arrangements (New Zealand‑flagged craft)
Previously, administrative arrangements to meet the section 21 adequacy requirements for New Zealand‑registered recreational craft going overseas were delivered by Yachting New Zealand (Yachting NZ) and Yachting NZ inspectors under delegation from the Director. This was often referred to as a Category 1 (Cat 1) certificate.
From 1 July 2024, Maritime NZ assumed administration and delivery of these requirements, following Yachting NZ’s decision to relinquish their delegation. Skippers and crew will notice some changes to processes and documentation. Maritime NZ has designed these to be as efficient and effective as possible.
Maritime NZ will keep the section 21 regime under review and will seek input from the sector when opportunities arise, to ensure it remains fit for purpose. The associated fee will be reviewed as part of future funding reviews.
Yachting NZ will continue to manage their Category 1–5 inspections for boats competing in yacht races. If you are racing overseas and your voyage starts in New Zealand, you must still meet the requirements under section 21 and apply for an IVC (Pleasure Craft). You may also still need a Cat 1 certificate from Yachting NZ.
Registration
Registering your vessel gives you the protection of the New Zealand Government. The registration papers provide proof of identity like a passport.
Section 6(2) of the Ship Registration Act 1992 requires all New Zealand recreational boats (pleasure vessels) going on an overseas voyage to be registered in either Part A or Part B of the New Zealand Register of Ships.
A New Zealand ship overseas is accorded the protection of the Government of New Zealand, much as a New Zealand citizen is while travelling overseas. A New Zealand‑registered boat is bound by New Zealand law across regions and jurisdictions. A vessel’s bona fides are established by its registration papers, just as a passport establishes them for a person. Registration may also determine criminal jurisdiction if any incident or accident occurs in international waters.
Ballast water management
If your vessel can carry non‑permanent ballast water and will be going overseas, you may need to make sure that the ballast water management systems onboard meet international standards.
New Zealand Customs
Information about New Zealand Customs requirements for vessels departing New Zealand is available on their website.
Foreign-flagged vessels
If you have a foreign‑flagged vessel, you must meet your flag state’s requirements and notify the Director of your intention to depart New Zealand. You can do this by completing the intention to depart form.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start an application for an IVC?
Maritime NZ recommends that skippers considering an overseas voyage:
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read the guidance on our website about the IVC carefully
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start preparing their application as early as possible
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enrol early for sea survival and first aid courses, as these tend to fill up quickly.
We recommend you submit your IVC application at least 3 months before you intend to start your journey, even if there are outstanding items such as crew training or essential equipment purchases. You can submit an application up to 6 months before your intended departure to allow time to plan, prepare, and satisfy all requirements.
[H3] What happens after I lodge my application?
Once Maritime NZ receives your application and IVC fee, you will receive a response, and your application will enter the processing queue.
Liaise with the Maritime NZ Vessel Adequacy Assessor about haul‑out dates for the physical assessment and let them know when any outstanding items on your application are completed.
Where can I take my boat to be assessed?
Maritime NZ has Vessel Adequacy Assessors based in Auckland, Kerikeri, and Nelson.
Applicants must have their boats in one of these locations for the assessment and should work with their local Vessel Adequacy Assessor to confirm the exact location and dates.
Based on applications in previous years, Vessel Adequacy Assessors in these regions will be convenient for most applicants. Maritime NZ recognises that this may be inconvenient for some people based elsewhere, but currently applicants are required to travel to a Vessel Adequacy Assessor.
How long is an IVC valid?
An IVC is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued.
Can I extend how long my IVC is valid if my intended departure date changes?
Applicants can make one application for an extension to the validity period, for up to 30 days. A fee is payable for an extension.
[H3] What if there are crew changes before departure?
Maritime NZ recommends that crew safety drills are one of the last things a skipper finalises for their application, because some crew may change after your initial application is sent.
The skipper’s crew drill declaration must include the names of everyone departing. This ensures anyone joining a boat is familiar with safety procedures and equipment before you leave.
How much does an IVC cost?
If the vessel is well prepared for the assessment and all requirements are met, the fee is NZ$490. The fee covers the cost of processing the application, including a single visit to the vessel.
If all requirements for an IVC are not met, your application will be declined, and you will need to submit a new application and pay a second fee.
Do race boats voyaging overseas need an IVC?
New Zealand registered race boats voyaging overseas need both:
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an IVC from Maritime NZ, and
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a Category 1 certificate from Yachting NZ.
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Maritime NZ can work with skippers to try to align inspections where possible.
[H3] Is the IVC process and guidance likely to change in future?
Maritime NZ is coordinating processes to increase efficiency, while balancing the overall costs of the IVC.
Our guidance and processes will be reviewed regularly, and changes will be communicated to the boating community. We want to be as helpful as possible, within our legal requirements, and to structure the process so fees remain cost‑effective for skippers.
Will Maritime NZ consider assessments by third parties for an IVC application?
Maritime NZ considered options for the Director to meet legal obligations under section 21 of the Maritime Transport Act 1994, including using third‑party assessors.
The current model does not consider third‑party assessments. It was chosen because it best meets the legal requirements placed on the Director.
[H3] Will Maritime NZ use third‑party specialists for assessing specialised vessels, such as multihulls?
The vessel assessment part of IVC application processing is not a specialist survey. It is designed to check whether vessels are adequate for their intended journey and does not require a specialist for each vessel type.
Can lone skippers be granted an IVC?
Lone skippers may obtain an IVC if Vessel Adequacy Assessors are satisfied they can comply with all relevant maritime rules, such as those covering look‑out and collision avoidance.
[H3] What requirements do skippers of foreign‑flagged recreational boats have before departing New Zealand waters?
If you have a foreign‑flagged vessel, you must meet your flag state’s requirements and notify the Director of Maritime NZ of your intention to depart New Zealand.
You can do this by completing the Intention to depart form.
Do I need to register my boat in New Zealand?
Section 6(2) of the Ship Registration Act 1992 requires all New Zealand recreational boats (pleasure vessels) going on an overseas voyage to be registered in either Part A or Part B of the New Zealand Register of Ships.
See our Ship registration page for more guidance.