Registering a caveat

A caveat can be registered by any person claiming an interest in a ship, or a share in a ship. Caveats are only registrable against ships in Part A of the register.

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How to register a caveat

A caveat can be registered by any person claiming an interest in a ship (or in a share in a ship) under any unregistered instrument, or by operation of law.

A person registering a caveat needs to have a reasonable cause to do so under the Ship Registration Act 1992.

Registration of a caveat forbids the entry in the register of any further transactions (except a transmission of the ship by operation of law) until after notice of the caveat is given to the caveator (the person who registered the caveat).

A person wanting to register a caveat needs to send Maritime New Zealand’s Registrar of Ships the following:

  • a caveat form (form SR21) – two originals
  • a fee of NZ$980

Withdrawing a caveat

A person wanting to withdraw a caveat needs to send Maritime New Zealand’s Registrar of Ships a Withdrawal of Caveat form (form SR22). There is no fee to withdraw a caveat.

A withdrawal of caveat is not required if documents lodged for registration vest in the caveator the interest claimed in the caveat.

Related information:

Ship registration fees and charges

Find our ship registration fees, how they are applied and how you can pay them.
View fees and more
 

For more information

Contact us

If you have any questions about ship registration, contact us.

Phone:
+64 4 473 0111

Email:
ship.registration@maritimenz.govt.nz