Entering into MOSS
Step 1. Talk to your local Maritime Officer
We encourage you to talk to a Maritime Officer early about entering MOSS.
Maritime Officers can talk you through the requirements you need to meet, such as having a safety system for the vessels in your operation (MTOP). Their advice can save you time and money when you apply.
Before you talk to a Maritime Officer, we recommend you download and read Applying for a Maritime Transport Operator Certificate (MTOC).
Vessels operated in MOSS must have a current certificate of survey. A certificate of survey is a document showing that a surveyor recognised by Maritime NZ (a Recognised Surveyor) has assessed your vessel and it is safe for how it will be used.
Depending on the type of vessel, and how and where it will be used, other vessel certificates may be needed. Your Recognised Surveyor will help you with this.
Before you apply to enter MOSS, make sure:
- all vessels in your operation have a current certificate of survey completed by a Recognised Surveyor
- all other required vessel certificates are up to date.
Step 2. Develop your Maritime Transport Operator Plan
If you are operating under MOSS, you must develop a safety system setting out how to manage the risks in your operation. This is your Maritime Transport Operator Plan (MTOP).
Maritime NZ will assess your MTOP during your application to enter MOSS.
View the information, help and resources on how to develop your own MTOP.
Step 3. Apply for your Maritime Transport Operator Certificate
Getting a Maritime Transport Operator Certificate (MTOC) is the last step in the process to enter MOSS, and this will allow you to start operating.
To apply for an MTOC, you must provide a complete application which must include:
- completed MTOC application form
- your Maritime Transport Operator Plan
- completed Fit and Proper Person form, including a current Ministry of Justice criminal record check.
Ministry of Justice criminal record check
You can learn more about the fit and proper person application process and its relevance to maritime documents here:
Step 4. Send your application to Maritime NZ
You can send your application documents to Maritime NZ by email, courier, or post.
Scanned documents saved as image files or printed documents can take more time to review than files with digital text such as PDFs. This can increase the cost of assessing your application. They also make it harder for you to make any changes that are required.
Email your application to: [email protected]
Courier your application to:
Operator Certification Maritime NZ
1 Grey Street
Wellington 6011
NEW ZEALAND
Post your application to:
Operator Certification Maritime NZ
PO Box 25620
Wellington 6140
NEW ZEALAND
Step 5. Confirmation your application to enter MOSS is received
Maritime NZ will check the application you provide is complete. You will then be sent an acknowledgement email with a reference number.
Step 6. Pay the application fee
We will send you an invoice which will have instructions on how to pay.
Step 7. Assessment of your application to enter MOSS
Your application will be assigned to an Advisor, and Maritime NZ will do a desktop review to check your MTOP meets requirements. We will let you know if any improvements are needed, and how you might address any gaps.
Once your MTOP is assessed, a Maritime Officer will arrange a site visit.
Both the document assessment and site visit will be charged at an hourly rate.
There may also be additional costs during the assessment stage for example technical assessments. This work is charged at an hourly rate, and you will receive another invoice after the assessment stage is completed.
Step 8. Issue of your MTOC
If your application to enter MOSS is successful, Maritime NZ will issue you an MTOC.
Once you receive your MTOC you can start operating under MOSS.
Once the application is complete you will be sent another invoice.