Maritime Rules Part 22: Collision Prevention

Part 22 provides the 'Rules of the road' for ships. Also included are the standards for the installation performance and use of lights for collision avoidance, and the sound and light signals used for the communication of safety information.

This part incorporates the requirement of the Convention on the International Regulation for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972.

Part 22 of the maritime rules applies to:

  • All New Zealand vessels, including any pleasure boats, naval ships and seaplanes whenever they are at sea or on inland waters (lakes, rivers) in any part of the world.
  • All foreign vessels when they are in New Zealand waters.

Download Part 22

Maritime Rules Part 22: Collision Prevention [PDF: 172Kb, 46 pages]

Part 22 supporting documents - any amendments, proposed amendments and advice

Advisory circular on Part 22, 1998 [PDF: 1.31Mb, 3 pages]

Amendment to Part 22, 2009 [PDF: 102Kb, 11 pages]
Amendment to Part 22, 2006 [PDF: 236Kb, 11 pages]
Amendment to Part 22, 2004 [PDF: 223Kb, 44 pages]
Amendment to Part 22, 2003 [PDF: 8.99Mb, 82 pages]

Original Rule, 1998 [PDF: 7.46Mb, 70 pages]

History of Part 22

Part 22 came into force on 1st February 1998. (Part 22 replaces the Shipping (Distress Signals and Preventions of Collisions) Regulations 1988).

This part was first amended by Part 91 in 2003.

The part was then amende by Maritime Rules Part 20-90 Amendments in 2004.

This part was most recently amended by Part 22 in 2006.