Maritime Rules Part 34

Current version of Part 34

Part 34 sets standards of medical fitness for seafarers, including eyesight and colour vision, and prescribes requirements for the conduct of examinations for the issue of certificates of medical fitness.

This Part-is made up of:

• Subpart A, which applies to:
  • People employing seafarers under 18 on NZ ships outside of restricted limits, or engaging seafarers under 18 in NZ for employment on any ship operating outside restricted limits.
• Subpart B, which applies to:
  • Applicants for a certificate under Part 32 or the holders of certain certificates under Part 32 (including ring-fenced certificates).
  • Seafarers on New Zealand ships that are passenger ships, or non-passenger ships of 500GT or more, on an international voyage, or that are passenger or non-passenger ships of 45m or more proceeding on a voyage outside restricted limits.
  • Seafarers on ships to which rule 52.1(1) applies.
  • Medical practitioners carrying out medical examinations under Part 34.
• Subpart C, which applies to:
  • Seafarers on foreign ships in New Zealand Ports that are passenger ships, or non-passenger ships of 500GT or more, engaged on an international voyage. 

Part 34 implements requirements from Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW), and the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC).

Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) changes to Part 34 as at March 2017

Part 34 will extend requirements in relation to medical fitness for duty to a wider class of seafarer.

The amendments to Rule 34.20 will have the effect of applying Rule 34.28 to a broader class of seafarer as required by the MLC.

The MLC provides that seafarers must not work on a ship unless they have been certified as medically fit to perform their duties.

STCW medical certificates meet the MLC standard and are an acceptable alternative.

Part 34 sets standards of medical fitness for seafarers, including eyesight and colour vision, and prescribes requirements for the conduct of examinations for the issue of certificates of medical fitness.

Materials incorporated by reference in Part 34

This rule was signed by the Minister of Transport on 27 January 2014 and came into force on 1 April 2014.

• Guidelines on the Medical Examination of Seafarers published on behalf of the International Labour Organization and the International Maritime Organization in 2013.

Download ILO Convention

History of Part 34