New Zealand's survey regime for SOLAS ships
New Zealand SOLAS ships are subject to a rigorous, five-year cycle survey regime under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC) to verify safety compliance, conducted by Recognised Organisations (Classification Societies).
The regime includes initial, annual, intermediate, renewal, and dry-dock surveys.
The IMO website provides more information on this regime:
What is a Classification Society?
Classification Societies (Class Societies) are non-government organisations that develop and apply design and construction rules to ensure ships can obtain insurance.
The rules only cover hull and machinery.
New Zealand Class Societies can provide Class services to any ship.
Recognised Organisations
A Recognised Organisation (RO) is an organisation (usually a Class society) that the flag State has delegated mandatory international requirements, such as issuing SOLAS certificates.
New Zealand ROs only provide services to New Zealand ships.
The survey framework for SOLAS ships is complex, with a number of strict international requirements.
Maritime NZ strongly recommends early engagement with a Recognised Organisation when bringing new ships into New Zealand.