Notice of Exemption From the Maritime Rules and/or Marine Protection Rules
Pursuant to sections 40AA(5) and 395(5) of the Maritime Transport Act 1994, the Director of Maritime New Zealand notifies that exemptions from specified requirements in the Maritime and Marine Protection Rules have been granted. These exemptions were granted under sections 40AA(1)(a) and 395(1)(a) of the Act during the period from 2 February 2026 to 16 March 2026 (inclusive).
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Rule Part |
Rule Numbers |
Rule Requirement |
Number of Exemptions Granted |
Exempted Person, Ship, or Product |
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Part 19 – Maritime Transport Operator – Certification and Responsibilities |
19.3 |
Requirement to hold Maritime Transport Operator Certificate. |
3 |
Exemption date: 11 February 2026 Exemption period: Valid until 30 April 2026 Owner: TB Marine Limited Vessel (MNZ No.): The Beast (MNZ 136420) |
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Exemption date: 3 February 2026 Exemption period: Valid until 16 February 2026 Operator: Surf Life Saving New Zealand Person: Master of vessels that are Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRB); Rescue Watercraft (RWC) providing ‘on water’ emergency response resources for the 2026 Auckland Sail Grand Prix; and not otherwise operating as a commercial ship |
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Exemption date: 5 February 2026 Exemption period: Valid until 30 June 2026 Owner: Event Hub Limited Person: Master of vessels that are up to 12 metres in length; being operated for the purpose of acting as a marshal vessel, providing supervision/surveillance and assistance to participants, and responding to on-water emergencies or on-water safety and emergency response for the Barfoot & Thomson People’s Triathlon Series at Maraetai Beach and Mission Bay Beach; and not otherwise operating as a commercial ship. |
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19.41 |
All requirements in this rule for Maritime Transport Operator Plan. |
1 |
Exemption date: 3 February 2026 Exemption period: Valid until 16 February 2026 Operator: Surf Life Saving New Zealand Person: Master of vessels that are Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRB); Rescue Watercraft (RWC) providing ‘on water’ emergency response resources for the 2026 Auckland Sail Grand Prix; and not otherwise operating as a commercial ship |
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19.42 |
All requirements in this rule for maritime transport operator safety system. |
1 |
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19.43 |
Maritime transport operator must ensure development and application of survey plan for each ship. |
1 |
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19.45 |
All requirements in this rule for maintenance plan. |
1 |
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19.62 |
All requirements in this rule for maritime transport operator responsible for safe ships. |
1 |
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19.62(1) |
A ship must have a valid Certificate of Survey issued under rule 44.41 before it can be operated. |
1 |
Exemption date: 5 February 2026 Exemption period: Valid until 30 June 2026 Owner: Event Hub Limited Person: Master of vessels that are up to 12 metres in length; being operated for the purpose of acting as a marshal vessel, providing supervision/surveillance and assistance to participants, and responding to on-water emergencies or on-water safety and emergency response for the Barfoot & Thomson People’s Triathlon Series at Maraetai Beach and Mission Bay Beach; and not otherwise operating as a commercial ship |
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Part 24B – Carriage of Cargoes – Stowage and Securing |
24B.10(2) |
Shipper of a road freight, road tank, or road livestock vehicles must not offer the vehicle for shipment on a ro-ro ship unless it is fitted with vehicle securing points and marked with an information plate. |
2 |
Exemption date: 5 February 2026 Exemption period: 19 February 2026 Shipper: Treadlite NZ Limited Road Freight Vehicle: MAL680 |
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Exemption date: 5 February 2026 Exemption period: 19 February 2026 Shipper: Treadlite NZ Limited Road Freight Vehicle: HAF540 |
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Part 31 – Crewing and Watchkeeping |
31.84(2) |
Minimum crewing requirements as per Minimum Safe Crewing Document for other passenger or non-passenger ships, as specified in tables and flowcharts only in respect to the requirement for the Master to hold a Skipper Restricted limits (or equivalent) certificate of competency when operating in restricted limits. |
1 |
Exemption date: 5 February 2026 Exemption period: Valid until 30 June 2026 Owner: Event Hub Limited Person: Master of vessels that are up to 12 metres in length; being operated for the purpose of acting as a marshal vessel, providing supervision/surveillance and assistance to participants, and responding to on-water emergencies or on-water safety and emergency response for the Barfoot & Thomson People’s Triathlon Series at Maraetai Beach and Mission Bay Beach; and not otherwise operating as a commercial ship |
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Minimum crewing requirements as per Minimum Safe Crewing Document for other passenger or non-passenger ships, as specified in tables and flowcharts. |
1 |
Exemption date: 3 February 2026 Exemption period: Valid until 16 February 2026 Operator: Surf Life Saving New Zealand Person: Master of vessels that are Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRB), Rescue Watercraft (RWC) providing ‘on water’ emergency response resources for the 2026 Auckland Sail Grand Prix and not otherwise operating as a commercial ship |
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Part 32 – Seafarer Certification |
32.10(1) |
Requirement to hold certificate and prescribed endorsements only in respect to requirement to hold a High-speed ship endorsement (pertains only to Island Direct GP Limited while the Master is operating the vessel, Te Waipiki). |
1 |
Exemption date: 4 February 2026 Exemption period: Valid until 4 August 2026 Persons: Masters of vessel specified in this exemption Vessel (MNZ No.): Te Waipiki (MNZ 138923) |
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Part 40E – Design, Construction and Equipment – Sailing Ships |
40E.37(1) |
Electrical systems for ships 24 metres or less must comply with relevant rules of a classification society named in rule 40A.17(1)(a); or applicable parts of the AS/NZ 3004.2 Electrical Installations – Marinas and Boats. |
1 |
Exemption date: 16 March 2026 Exemption period: Valid until 28 February 2031 Owner: Yachtshare Westhaven Limited Vessel (MNZ No.): Mirabelle (MNZ 144092 |
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Part 91 – Navigation Safety Rules |
91.5(1)–(2) |
Minimum age requirements for operating power-driven vessels capable of a proper speed exceeding 10 knots and direct supervision of a person over the age of 15 years who is in immediate reach of the controls only in respect to the junior drivers listed in the appendix of this exemption taking part in events sanctioned by the New Zealand Powerboat Association Incorporated as indicated in their 2025/2026 race calendar provided to Maritime New Zealand. |
1 |
Exemption date: 4 February 2026 Exemption period: Valid until 30 September 2026 Owner: New Zealand Powerboat Association Incorporated Persons: Named persons (‘Junior Drivers’) as specified in this exemption |
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Part 300 – Ballast Water Management |
300.100(4) |
The owner and master of a ship must ensure the ballast water management system is in accordance with the standards and requirements specified in Appendix A only in respect to A.2.1.2 – a ship constructed before 8 September 2017 must from the applicable date of the relevant renewal survey under MARPOL Annex I determined in the flow chart meet the ballast water performance standard. |
1 |
Exemption date: 2 February 2026 Exemption period: Valid until 30 September 2026 Owner: Talley’s Group Limited Person: Master of vessel Vessel (MNZ No.): Amaltal Columbia (MNZ 102016) |