Maritime Rules Part 23: Operational Procedures & Training

Part 23 provides rules on various operating procedures and training to be implemented to manage emergency situations aboard ships or to prevent such situations occurring.

The procedures include:

• muster lists,
• emergency alarms and drills,
• training manuals,
• onboard training and emergency instructions,
• recording passenger numbers,
• contingency planning,
• logbook entries,
• testing of steering gear,
• closing of openings in hull and watertight bulkheads,
• issue of navigational warnings,
• obligation to relay certain radio messages,
• distress signals,
• masters discretion for safe navigation,
• speed near ice and ship's routeing.

Part 23 of the maritime rules applies to:

• New Zealand commercial ships.
• Foreign commercial ships that operate on the New Zealand coast and do not proceed
  on an international voyage.

Download Part 23

Maritime Rules Part 23: Operational Procedures & Training [PDF: 210Kb, 51 pages]

Part 23 supporting documents - any amendments, proposed amendments and advice

Advisory circular on Part 23, 1999 [2.13Mb, 10 pages]

Amendment to Part 23, 2009 [PDF: 102Kb, 11 pages]
Amendment to Part 23, 2004 [PDF: 224Kb, 44 pages]

Original Rule, 1999 [PDF: 6.92Mb, 69 pages]

History of Part 23

Part 23 came into force on 18 June 1999, except section 23.16 which came into force 1 July 1999.

(Part 23 replaced the Shipping (Automatic Pilot and Testing of Steering Gear) Regulations 1988, the Shipping (Closing of Openings in Hulls and in Watertight Bulkheads) Regulations 1989 and the Shipping (Musters and Training) Regulations 1989).

This part was amended by Maritime Rules Part 20-90 in 2004.