Lookout! – Issue 15
21 December 2009
Guidance notice – Issue 17:
Long-range identification and tracking (LRIT) equipment testing
21 December 2009
Maritime New Zealand's current online services.
The New Zealand Port and Harbour Marine Safety Code provides measures for the safe management of ships in ports and harbours. It includes measures to prevent serious harm to people and protection for the marine environment.
The code provides a summary of the duties and responsibilities under the law for everyone involved in marine operations in New Zealand ports and harbours. It sets national standards for the management of navigation safety.
A framework for the preparation of Safety Management Systems by regional councils and port operators is also included in the code. These safety management systems will be informed by formal risk assessments for each port and harbour. The aim is to establish a safety system covering all marine operations in each port and harbour; to ensure that risks are kept at a level that is both tolerable and as low as reasonably practicable.
While the code is voluntary, it has strong support from regional councils and port operators and is being implemented throughout all New Zealand's main ports and harbours.
The initial focus is on the areas that have compulsory pilotage, such as the main commercial ports and areas of particular environmental sensitivity, where there are significant large ship movements. Fiordland is one such example.
The code is supported by a number of guidelines of good practice. Copies of theNew Zealand Port and Harbour Marine Safety Code and the associated guidelines can be downloaded below.
New Zealand port and harbour marine safety code [PDF: 579Kb, 37 pages]
Port and harbour risk assessment and safety management systems in New Zealand [PDF: 572Kb, 68 pages]
Providing aids to navigation in New Zealand [PDF: 529Kb, 23 pages]
Good practice for hydrographic surveys in New Zealand ports and harbours [PDF: 452Kb, 19 pages]
Environmental factors affecting safe access and operations within New Zealand ports and harbours [PDF: 1Mb, 70 pages]
Guidelines for aquaculture management areas and marine farms [PDF: 184Kb, 19 pages]
Safety management of power line waterway crossings [PDF: 871Kb, 16 pages]
You can request free printed copies of the Code and the associated guidelines. Please specify which publication(s) you want and include your address details.
Email Maritime New Zealand publications
Other initiatives which support or complement the code are being undertaken by Maritime New Zealand and the Ministry of Transport. These are listed below.
Guidelines for vessel traffic services in ports and harbours are being developed by a working group led by Maritime New Zealand.
Maritime New Zealand has been reviewing Maritime Rule Part 90 – Pilotage. The review has looked at all aspects of the current rule including:
As pilotage is one of the principal tools in the management of navigation safety, the outcome of the harbour risk assessments has been a critical part of the rule review.
Maritime New Zealand is currently consulting on changes to the rule.
Public consultation on maritime interests
Maritime Rule Part 90 – pilotage
Minimum qualifications for harbourmasters, as outlined in the code, are being included in an amendment to Maritime Rule Part 32 - Qualifications. Maritime New Zealand has been consulting on changes to the rule. Refer to our consultation page.
Public consultation on maritime interests
Maritime Rule Part 32 – Qualifications and amendments
The Ministry of Transport released a public discussion document in late 2007 following a review of the legislation governing port and harbour safety. The government agreed in principle (in mid-2008) to future changes to the Maritime Transport Act and Local Government Act. These changes would clarify responsibilities for the management of navigation safety in ports and harbours and provide greater support for the New Zealand Port and Harbour Marine Safety Code.
Work on the proposed legislative amendments is ongoing.
Port and harbour and navigation safety management discussion document [Ministry of Transport]
Maritime Transport Act 1994 [New Zealand Parliamentary Counsel Office]
Local Government Act [New Zealand Parliamentary Counsel Office]
