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All rafts for recreational purposes (including adventure, scenic and oar raft fishing) that carry passengers on any river, for hire or reward, are required to have a Safe Operational Plan (SOP) under Maritime Rule Part 80.
A Safe Operational Plan (SOP) provides a practical set of safety requirements to ensure that certain specialised operations or craft have appropriate safety systems.
To get a Safe Operational Plan, contact your nearest rafting Authorised Person/Safety Auditor. They will inspect, audit and approve your operation of behalf of the Director of Maritime New Zealand.
Each operation must undergo an annual audit for their Safe Operational Plan Certificate of Compliance to remain valid.
Rafting operations must also comply with the Code of Practice for the Safety of Commercial Rafting. See Appendix 2 of Maritime Rule Part 80 for the Code.
Note that a vessel required to operate under a safe operational plan cannot then be under a safe ship management (SSM) system.
List of Authorised Persons/Safety Auditors [PDF: 90Kb, 4 pages]
Learn more about Safe Operational Plans
The detail in each Plan may be different reflecting local conditions and the individual circumstances of each rafting operation. Safe Operational Plan systems include:
If you require any further information about safe operational plans, please contact Maritime New Zealand’s Nautical Adviser, SMS.
Contact Maritime New Zealand
Commercial rafting operator and guide responsibilities [PDF: 64Kb, 2 pages]
All about rafting in New Zealand [New Zealand Rafting Association]
Accident and incident information and reporting forms
