Boating Rules
Navigation Safety Bylaws
There are two navigation safety authorities that work together in Southland. Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) is the central government agency tasked with maritime safety throughout the country. MNZ's principal objective is to undertake activities that promote a safe maritime environment, providing effective marine pollution prevention and an effective marine oil pollution response system, at reasonable cost.
MNZ develops maritime and marine protection rules. Other services include technical advice on maritime safety and environmental protection issues, advice on Ministerial correspondence, parliamentary questions and industry liaison.
Environment Southland has the statutory function to promote social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being in our region, which includes navigation safety. We do this by making navigation safety bylaws and through powers exercised by appointing a harbourmaster and honorary enforcement officers.
There are some areas of overlap, for example rules regarding navigation safety. MNZ developed Maritime Rule Part 91 - Navigation Safety, which aims to be a national standard providing for a consistent approach across the country. MR Part 91 applies in regions that don't have navigation safety bylaws, although any navigation safety bylaws that are in place should be consistent with MR Part 91. In Southland we have the Southland Navigation Safety Bylaws 2009 which govern safe navigation practices on our rivers, lakes and out to the 12 mile limit at sea.
Hot work permits
If you need to carry out hot work (welding or flame-cutting) on board a ship in the Bluff port or commercial areas you must apply for and be granted a Hot Work Permit prior to commencing. Please complete this form and submit it to the Marine Administrator at South Port for approval by the Regional Harbourmaster at Environment Southland.
When requesting a Hot Work Permit please fax to the Marine Administrator or the Harbourmaster the completed forms from your company's safety management system as evidence that your safety checks have been completed. As a minimum the following checks must be completed:
- All combustible materials within surrounding areas removed or made safe.
- No flammable liquids, vapours, gases or dusts present.
- No Hot Work while any bunkering operations are in progress.
- Suitable fire extinguishers/hoses provided onsite and fully operational.
- Operator knows how to use fire equipment.
- Operator knows how and where to raise fire alarm.
- An inspection of the surroundings of the work area(s) is carried out at least one hour after hot work is completed.
The Marine Administrator or Harbourmaster may require a compliance audit prior to issuing a permit.
Permanent moorings
For those interested in laying down a permanent mooring the Regional Coastal Plan for Southland sets out the requirements and the restrictions. Some areas allow moorings (e.g. Golden Bay Stewart Island), while others are prohibited or have strict limits (e.g. Harrisons Cove in Milford Sound).
If you are considered a mooring in the Bluff port zone you should consult South Port Ltd (call 03 212 8958), as well as the Regional Harbourmaster at Environment Southland (03 2115 115).
Environment Southland is the brand name of Southland Regional Council.