A Safe Operational Plan (SOP) provides a practical set of safety requirements to ensure that certain specialised operations or craft have appropriate safety systems.

For example jet boats, rafts and hovercraft; as well as fishing vessels and recreational dive vessels less than six meters in length.

Vessel types eligible for a safe operational plan

The following are the vessel types that a Safe Operational Plan applies to as well as links to more information about each plan and the applicable maritime rules.

Jet boats - that carry passengers at planing speed on any river for hire or reward.

Jet boats - safe operational plans
Maritime Rule Part 80

Rafts - that carry passengers on any river, for hire or reward.

Rafts - safe operational plans
Maritime Rule Part 80

Hovercraft - operating in New Zealand for hire or reward.

Hovercraft - safe operational plans
Maritime Rules Part 40F

Registered fishing vessels that are six metres or less in length, operating in enclosed waters, or not more than two miles from the New Zealand coast.

Registered fishing vessels - safe operational plans
Maritime Rules Part 40D

Recreational dive vessels - vessels of six metres or less in length engaged solely in recreational diving, which do not proceed beyond enclosed waters, or more than five miles from a safe haven on the coast of New Zealand.

Recreational dive vessels - safe operational plans
Maritime Rules Part 40A

Vessels required by the Director of Maritime New Zealand to have a safety case.

Maritime Rules Part 40G

How to get a Safe Operational Plan

If your operation and your vessel meet the criteria for a Safe Operational Plan, contact an Authorised Person/Safety Auditor appropriate for your particular type of vessel. They will inspect, audit and approve your operation of behalf of the Director of Maritime New Zealand.

The detail in each Safe Operational Plan may be different reflecting local conditions and the individual circumstances of each operation.

Once approved, the operator is issued with a Certificate of Compliance. Each operation must undergo an annual Safe Operational Plan audit for their Certificate to remain valid. This ensures the Safe Operational Plan is properly maintained and that the operation continues to comply. Rafting operations must also comply with the Code of Practice for the Safety of Commercial Rafting.

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]

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Contact for further information

If you require any further information about Safe Operational Plans, please contact Maritime New Zealand’s Nautical Adviser, SMS.

Contact Maritime New Zealand