September 2011
Frequently Asked Questions
What is happening?
Survey Nelson Ltd (SNL) advised the Director by letter on 7 September that it has voluntarily ceased operation as a safe ship management (SSM) company, effective immediately, and returned its SSM approval certificate.
In response, the Director has written to SNL and formally revoked its approval and delegations.
A plan has now been put in place to help affected vessel operators transition smoothly to a new SSM company.
How is this going to affect me?
It is important to recognise that vessel safety continues to be a responsibility of the vessel operator. Vessel operators have an ongoing duty to take all steps to ensure their vessels are safe. This includes ensuring access to professional and reliable safety advice.
The role of the SSM companies is to provide oversight and expertise to ensure that the vessels are fit for purpose and comply with SSM requirements. As a vessel operator, you should be able to rely on your SSM company to provide expert guidance on the ongoing safe operation of your vessel.
If you are a former SNL vessel operator
- You must check your SSM certificate. If it has your new company’s logo on it, you have successfully moved to the new company and need take no further action.
- If your certificate still has SNL’s logo on it, the transfer is not complete. You must contact your new SSM company and advise that you need a new certificate.
If you are a current SNL vessel operator
- If you were a member of SNL’s SSM system on 1 April 2010, you have until your next out of water survey to move to another SSM company. This means your situation is unchanged and the exemption issued on that date still applies.
- If you joined SNL’s SSM system after 1 April 2010, you have until the due date of your next out of water survey, or until 8 March 2012 (six months from now), whichever comes first, to move to another SSM company
- If you have recently completed an end of term survey but have yet to receive your new SSM certificate, you should contact MNZ.
- You are reminded that you must hold a valid SSM certificate (ie one that is “in date”) to operate commercially.
If you are a vessel operator unsure who your current SSM company is
- Please get in touch with MNZ.
If you are an SSM company
- You may receive requests from vessel operators wishing to join your system.
- You should follow the usual process for entering new vessels into your system.
- If you have any queries or concerns, please contact MNZ.
If you are a surveyor
- This development should not affect you – this document is being provided for your information only.
Is my vessel safe?
- MNZ has put in place a robust inspection programme to ensure all vessels currently in SNL’s fleet meet the appropriate standards.
- The best thing you can do as an operator is to ensure you move to a new SSM company as soon as possible.
What do I do if I have concerns about the standard of the last survey?
- If you have any concerns about the standard of the surveys you have received from SNL, please discuss with your new SSM company.
Does SNL’s withdrawal from the SSM system mean my certificate is invalid?
- To help manage the transition of SNL vessels to new SSM companies, MNZ has issued each affected vessel operator with an exemption, allowing you time to move to a new SSM company.
- The exemption provides cover while you make the move to a new SSM company. However, MNZ encourages all vessel operators to make contact with a new SSM company as soon as possible.
- Please also see the answer above for certificate requirements for current SNL vessel operators.
Why have you given operators several months get into a new company?
- As soon as SNL advised it had ceased operating as an SSM company, all certificates associated with its system were affected. An exemption is the only way to ensure that your SSM certificates remain valid until you move to a new SSM company.
- MNZ has been monitoring SNL’s vessels over the past 12 months and will ensure all vessels not yet seen by MNZ will be inspected within the next six months. The vessels will also be monitored by MNZ staff to ensure that they enter into an SSM company in the required timeframe.
How does this development fit in with MOSS – can I just wait until the new system comes in?
- MOSS is not expected to be implemented until 2013. Until then, all vessels operating under SSM must comply with the current rules. This includes all current and former SNL vessels.
I was with SNL at the time of the last revocation. Didn’t I already have an exemption from belonging to an SSM Company?
- The exemption issued on 1 April 2010 remains valid. If you were a member of SNL’s SSM system on 1 April 2010, you have until your next out of water survey to move to another SSM company. For vessel operators who fall into this category, you situation is unchanged and the exemption issued on that date still applies.
What happens with my exemptions and other certificates which are still valid but conditional on belonging to the SNL SSM System?
- The exemption from belonging to an SSM company means that these documents remain valid until the date that you are required to move to a new SSM company.
My vessel is still being built - will I be able to continue using the same SNL surveyor?
- Owners of vessels being built under the SNL system should immediately contact MNZ to discuss their options.
I have completed my survey and audit and am awaiting the issue of the SSM certificate. How will this affect me?
- Please contact MNZ as a case by case assessment is required. Where an application is pending with MNZ, we will be in touch shortly with individual owners.
Can I continue to use my same SSM manual when I join the new SSM company?
- One of the first steps your new SSM company must take before entering your vessel into its system is audit your SSM manual. Following this audit, your new SSM company will advise whether any amendments or improvements are required before you can enter its SSM system.
Where can I find information about other SSM companies?
- A list of SSM companies, with contact details, is available on this website.
Contact an SSM company
What happens if all the other SSM companies won’t accept my vessel into their system?
- If this happens, you must contact MNZ.
Will my vessel be highlighted as high risk because I was with SNL?
- Over the next six months, MNZ will be visiting all former SNL vessels not already seen over the past 12 months. This is an important step to ensure all vessels in the maritime system are safe.
- If you have any concerns over the standard of survey you have received from SNL, you should discuss this with your new SSM company as soon as possible.
I’m not an SNL vessel operator – but does this mean MNZ are now going to be slower to process my application?
- No, we have sufficient resources to continue to issue certificates in a timely manner.
