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	Ship Inspections
	A team of 14 Maritime NZ inspectors work from ten major ports around New Zealand, to inspect both international and New Zealand vessels - including New Zealand yachts going overseas - for safety, security and environmental protection. Flag State and Port State inspections Flag State inspections are carried out on New Zealand vessels to ensure that they comply with their legal requirements.

New Zealand is a Port State in terms of foreign ships visiting our shores. As a result of various international conventions, New Zealand is required to conduct Port State inspections of foreign ships visiting our shores. In addition, New Zealand is a member of the Asia/Pacific Region Port State Control Group where member States apply the same inspection criteria throughout the region.

Flag State Control - Inspection of New Zealand vessels
New Zealand-flagged vessels are regularly inspected by Maritime NZ. These vessels include cargo and passenger vessels, fishing boats, charter boats and all other commercial craft. Vessels which are not meeting the required standards are either issued with a deficiency list or, in very serious cases, can be detained until deficiencies have been rectified.

Part 21 of the maritime rules requires most domestic commercial ships to join a Safe Ship Management system, with a Safe Ship Management Certificate now replacing the old annual survey certificate. Maritime NZ Inspectors are responsible for regular inspections of larger commercially-operated ships.

Port State Control - Inspections of Foreign Ships
Foreign ships visit New Zealand ports some 2,200 times each year, and when in port are inspected by Maritime NZ Inspectors. These inspections make sure that the ship, its equipment, and the safety and health of those on board, meet international safety and environmental protection standards.

Maritime NZ inspects 95 percent of all eligible foreign ships at their first port of call in New Zealand. If a ship is substandard, Maritime New Zealand Inspectors have the power to detain it until it is brought up to standard, or to impose conditions upon its operation.

New Zealand is a signatory to a number of international maritime conventions and agreements, and is a member of the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding on Port State control. Member countries now assist each other in many ways, share information on substandard ships, and co-ordinate and standardise systems of ship inspection.

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