Maritime Rules Part 31 - Crewing and Watchkeeping

Current version of Part 31

This rule applies to:

• New Zealand passenger and non-passenger commercial ships and fishing vessels
• any foreign passenger ship or non-passenger ship of 500GT or more that is registered in a state party to STCW or SOLAS and that is operating commercially within New Zealand waters.

Overview of Part 31

Part 31 sets out requirements relating to the minimum crew numbers and crew certificates and qualifications for New Zealand passenger and non-passenger commercial ships and fishing vessels, subject to some exceptions. It also provides for a process for the issue of Minimum Safe Crewing Documents.

This Part also sets out requirements relating to fitness for duty, prescribed hours of rest, and watchkeeping that apply in relation to some ships in accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

Maritime NZ is currently amending the Advisory Circulars for Maritime Rules Part 31.

Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) changes to Part 31 as at March 2017

Part 31 amended to reflect elements of existing provisions in Part 31 to meet the requirements of the MLC. This includes compliance with minimum crewing and STCW hours of rest, and prerequisites for employment as a ship’s cook.

Part 31.43(1)(c)(i) amended to reflect the replacement of the National Certificate in Hospitality (Cookery) (Level 3) with the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3). The certificates are required for cooks serving on ships over 1,000 gross tonnage operating in the unlimited area.

Materials incorporated by reference in Part 31A

The Minister of Transport signed this rule on 27 January 2014, which came into force on 1 April 2014.

• the Document for Guidance on Training and Certification of Fishing Personnel approved by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 2000.
• the Principles of Safe Manning adopted by the International Maritime Organization by Assembly Resolution A. 1047(27).
• chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974, the protocols relating to that convention and the annexes to the convention and protocols (SOLAS).
• code of Safety for High-Speed Craft, 2000, adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization by Resolution MSC.97(73), as amended.
• international convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW Convention)
• international Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel 1995 and Resolutions (STCW-F Convention).

Getting copies of material incorporated by reference

Some materials can be accessed and viewed free online, other material is subject to copyright and can either be purchased from the original source or viewed as an electronic copy at Maritime NZ.