Safe operational plans for dive vessels
Commercial vessels 6 metres or smaller used only for recreational diving trips and that stay within enclosed waters or within five miles of a safe haven on the coast, must have a Safe Operational Plan (SOP) under Maritime Rules Part 40A — unless they operate under a Maritime Transport Operator Plan (MTOP).
What you need to do before you begin operating
How to develop a Safe Operational Plan (SOP) and get it approved
Step 1: Read the guide below
Step 2: Prepare your SOP
You can use the template below if you wish to.
Step 3: Contact a diving vessel Authorised Person (AP) for an initial inspection and audit, and approval of your SOP
The AP will also work with you to fill out an Application for MNZ Number Form. You will be invoiced by the AP for this work.
Step 4: Fill out and submit the Certificate of Compliance or Certificate of Approval Application form
As part of this form, you also need to include:
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a completed and signed fit and proper person form
- a copy of your Ministry of Justice criminal record check from the Ministry of Justice, which must be less than 90 days old at the time you apply.
Also fill out this form:
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to renew an existing Certificate of Compliance
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if you have added or removed a boat(s) from your operation or made changes to the boats in your operation or
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to advise Maritime NZ if you are no longer operating.
Step 5: You need to receive a Certificate of Compliance from Maritime NZ before you begin operating
This will usually have an expiry date of four years after your initial inspection and audit.
Maintaining Compliance
Under Maritime Rules Part 40A, a diving AP will need to carry out an inspection and audit for you every two years. You will need to contact an AP each time to request this to be carried out.
The inspection and audit held around the middle of your Certificate of Compliance period is called a periodic – mid-term inspection and audit. Periodic – mid-term inspections and audits are free of charge to you, as the cost of these is recovered through the Maritime Levy and Maritime NZ will pay the AP for these.
However, the AP will invoice you for any follow-up work, if this is needed. Follow-up work in this context means:
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the AP makes another physical in-person visit, or
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remote monitoring of any corrective actions requested by the AP at the first visit - where you have not carried these out in the way that the AP requested. This kind of remote monitoring requires greater work for the AP to check the suitability of the corrective actions, than if you had completed any required corrective actions in the way requested by the AP.
Two years after your periodic – mid-term inspection and audit you will be due to have another inspection and audit, which is called the periodic – Certificate of Compliance renewal inspection and audit. It has this name as it takes place immediately prior to you applying to renew your Certificate of Compliance. You need to apply to renew your Certificate of Compliance before it expires. The AP will invoice you for the periodic – Certificate of Compliance renewal inspection and audit.