Amendment
This Part was amended by Maritime Rules Amendments 2025 (No 2). These amendments come into force on 1 December 2025.
Maritime Rules Part 34 - Medical standards
Current version of Part 34
Part 34 sets standards of medical fitness for seafarers, including eyesight and colour vision, and prescribes requirements for the conduct of examinations for the issue of certificates of medical fitness.
This Part is made up of:
- subpart A, which applies to: People employing seafarers under 18 on NZ ships outside of restricted limits, or engaging seafarers under 18 in NZ for employment on any ship operating outside restricted limits.
- subpart B, which applies to: Applicants for a certificate under Part 32 or the holders of certain certificates under Part 32 (including ring-fenced certificates). Seafarers on New Zealand ships that are passenger ships, or non-passenger ships of 500GT or more, on an international voyage, or that are passenger or non-passenger ships of 45m or more proceeding on a voyage outside restricted limits. Seafarers on ships to which rule 52.1(1) applies. Medical practitioners carrying out medical examinations under Part 34.
- subpart C, which applies to: Seafarers on foreign ships in New Zealand Ports that are passenger ships, or non-passenger ships of 500GT or more, engaged on an international voyage.
- people employing seafarers under 18 on NZ ships outside of restricted limits, or engaging seafarers under 18 in NZ for employment on any ship operating outside restricted limits.
- applicants for a certificate under Part 32 or the holders of certain certificates under Part 32 (including ring-fenced certificates).
- seafarers on New Zealand ships that are passenger ships, or non-passenger ships of 500GT or more, on an international voyage, or that are passenger or non-passenger ships of 45m or more proceeding on a voyage outside restricted limits.
- seafarers on ships to which rule 52.1(1) applies.
- medical practitioners carrying out medical examinations under Part 34.
- seafarers on foreign ships in New Zealand Ports that are passenger ships, or non-passenger ships of 500GT or more, engaged on an international voyage.
Part 34 implements requirements from Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW), and the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC).
Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) changes to Part 34 as at March 2017
Part 34 will extend requirements in relation to medical fitness for duty to a wider class of seafarer.
The amendments to Rule 34.20 will have the effect of applying Rule 34.28 to a broader class of seafarer as required by the MLC.
The MLC provides that seafarers must not work on a ship unless they have been certified as medically fit to perform their duties.
STCW medical certificates meet the MLC standard and are an acceptable alternative.
Part 34 sets standards of medical fitness for seafarers, including eyesight and colour vision, and prescribes requirements for the conduct of examinations for the issue of certificates of medical fitness.
Current consolidated rule
Materials incorporated by reference in Part 34
The Minister of Transport signed this rule on 27 January 2014, which came into effect on 1 April 2014.
- Guidelines on the Medical Examination of Seafarers published on behalf of the International Labour Organization and the International Maritime Organization in 2013.
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.
History of Part 34
Amendment
This Part was amended by Maritime Rules Amendments 2025. These amendments come into force on 21 April 2025.
Amendment
This Part was amended by Maritime Rules Various Amendments on 13 December 2019.
Amendment
This Part was amended by STCW-F related amendments 2017. Amendments 10.2, 11.2, 11.3, 14.2, 15.2, 16.2, 17.2, 18.2, and 19.2 of the STCW-F , related Amendments 2017 enter into force on March 2023. All other Amendments enter into force March 2018.
Amendment
The amendments are to prescribe medical fitness standards for holders of certificates that are ring-fenced under Part 32.
Amendment
This Part was amended by Maritime Rules Part 52 MLC 2015 which was signed off by the Minister on the 1 of December 2015, however did not enter into force until the 9 March 2017.
Amendment
This Part was amended by Maritime Rules Various Amendments 2015, in 2015.
Amendment
This Part was amended by Maritime Rules Various Amendments 2014 in 2015.
New part comes into force
The new Part 34 entered into force on 1 April 2014.Timeline
Amendment
The original Part 34, as amended, was revoked and replaced by a new Part 34, made on 27 January 2014.
Advisory circular
An advisory circular was published describing Part 34. (SUPERCEDED 13/12/2019).Timeline
Advisory circular
An advisory circular was published describing Part 34.
Amendment
This part was amended by Part 31A and Part 32: Amendment 2012, in 2012.
Amendment
This part was amended by Part 34: Amendment 2011, with entry into force dates of 1 April 2011 and 1 January 2012.
Amendment
This part was amended by Maritime (Various Amendments) Rules Part 20-91 in 2008.
Amendment
This part was first amended by Maritime Rules Part 20, 90 in 2004.
Advisory circular
An advisory circular was published describing Part 34.
New part comes into force
Part 34 entered into force on 1 August 1998.Timeline
New part signed
Part 34 was signed into law by the Transport Minister on 28 June 1998.