Developing an operator plan
Before you start developing your MTOP
Step 1. Talk to a Maritime Officer
Maritime Officers can give you advice about how to develop your MTOP). Contact your local Maritime Officer to find out how they can help you with your MTOP and save you time and money when you apply to enter the Maritime Operator Safety System (MOSS).
Step 2. Read our guidance material
Use our MTOP guidance and template to help develop your MTOP. The template provides a framework you can adapt to suit your operation.
If you carry dangerous goods as part of your operation, you must address this in your MTOP.
Anyone should be able to look at your MTOP and understand how your operation runs. Follow the tips under “Top tips for preparing your MTOP to make sure your plan is as effective as possible”.
Step 2. Develop your MTOP’s safe operating and information management procedures
Your MTOP must include:
- safe operating procedures for general operations and emergency response
- information management procedures.
Step 3. Develop supporting information for each vessel
For each vessel you operate, you need a:
- survey plan
- maintenance plan
- safety equipment list
- spare parts list.
- You will need these plans and lists for a Certificate of Survey.
A Maritime NZ Recognised Surveyor must approve every survey plan.
Step 4. Put together your MTOP
Bring together all the procedures (Step 2 above) and other documentation you need to submit with your MTOP.
Make sure the MTOP clearly shows how the different parts connect and meet MOSS requirements.
Step 5. Store and update your MTOP
You must keep a complete copy of your MTOP onshore. Each vessel must always have a copy of its own specific safe operating procedures on board.
Prepare a vessel manual containing these procedures.
Top tips for preparing your MTOP
Tip 1. Make your MTOP easy to follow
- Structure your MTOP to suit your operation. Whether your operation is large or small, the MTOP must provide all information needed to run the operation safely and in an environmentally responsible way.
- Your MTOP will likely be made up of existing and new documents tailored for your operation.
- Make sure you can update documents easily. If you copy and paste sections into the template, you may need to spend extra time updating them later.
- You can include separate documents for areas such as administration or vessel and maintenance manuals, as long as they cover all MOSS requirements.
- Remember Provide copies of any other documents you refer to, such as drug and alcohol or fatigue policies.
Tip 2. Use searchable document formats
- Use Word or PDF files for documents in your MTOP, so they can be searched. Scanned documents (saved as image files) cannot be searched electronically and take more time to review. This can increase the cost of assessing your application. They also make it harder for you to make any changes required.
Tip 3. Explain how your MTOP fits together
- Provide an introduction or cover letter explaining how the elements of your MTOP fit together to meet MOSS requirements.
- Your MTOP should be more than a collection of separate documents. Anyone looking at it should be able to understand how the different sections work together.
Tip 4. Use photographs where helpful
- Consider using photographs to help identify and explain parts of your operation, instead of using a lot of text.
- Photographs must be clear and sharp please.
Tip 5. Include all relevant certificates
- You need to provide all certificates for elements of your MTOP such as:
- radio and compass surveys
- inspections of safety equipment, for example fire extinguishers, lifejackets, Emergency Beacons (EPIRBs).
- If you have not provided relevant certificates, this can slow down processing times and could increase the overall cost of your application.
- If Maritime NZ has issued a certificate, you only need to list the certificate name and issue date.