Maritime Rules Part 91: Navigational Safety Rules

Part 91 continues the basic navigation safety rules contained in the Water Recreation Regulations, 1974, with some modifications and additions to bring the requirements up-to-date with modern boating conditions and safety expectations.

Part 91 also modifies and carries over some provisions from the General Harbour (Nautical and Miscellaneous) Regulations 1968 in respect of anchoring and mooring, Give Way rules, wakes, and proximity to oil tankers and ships carrying dangerous goods.

Part 91 sets basic national navigation standards. These standards may be enforced locally by Regional Councils through consistent bylaws made under the Local Government Act 1974. Regional variation is permitted in the navigation safety bylaws through mechanisms prescribed in Part 91.

Part 91 also covers new requirements for the carriage of personal floatation devices (buoyancy aids designed to be worn on the body) on pleasure craft.

Provision is made for exemptions to these requirements in restricted circumstances where compliance with the rule is impractical or inappropriate. The rules, which incorporate a standard for personal floatation devices, also make the wearing of personal floatation devices mandatory in certain circumstances.

Part 91 of the maritime rules applies to:

• Rules 91.4(3), 91.5(4) and 91.21 apply everywhere in New Zealand waters.

• The rest of Part 91 applies to -
  • areas that are not subject to navigation bylaws; and
  • regions where navigation bylaws are in force, if the bylaws are
    inconsistent with Part 91, in which case the bylaws shall be construed
    subject to Part 91.
    

Download Part 91

Maritime Rules Part 91: Navigational Safety Rules [PDF: 161Kb, 25 pages]

Part 91 supporting documents - any amendments, proposed amendments and advice

Maritime NZ advisory circular on Part 91, 1994 [PDF: 118Kb, 10 pages]

Amendment to Part 91, 2008 [PDF: 466Kb, 69 pages]
Amendment to Part 91, 2007 [PDF: 106Kb, 7 pages]
Amendment to Part 91, 2007 [PDF: 186Kb, 11 pages]

Original Rule [PDF: 8.99Mb, 82 pages]

History of Part 91

Part 91 came into force on the 21 March 2003. It replaced the Water Recreation Regulations 1974.

This part was first amended by Maritime Rules Part 91 Amendment Rules in May 2007.

The part was then amended by Maritime Rules Part 91 Amendment No. 2, in December 2007.

This part was most recently ameneded by Maritime (Various Amendments) Rules Parts 20-91 in 2008.