Maritime and Marine Protection Rules are statutory instruments which set out the standards and procedures that apply to activities in the maritime environment. They are made under the Maritime Transport Act 1994 by the Minister of Transport and can be found in the Legislation section of Westlaw New Zealand, under ‘Current other instruments’.

In chapter 39.3.1.5 of Maritime – A to Z of New Zealand Law, author Bevan Marten notes that the Rules are concerned with New Zealand’s maritime regulatory framework and are also used to implement New Zealand’s obligations under international conventions.

“Maritime Rules can be created for a broad range of purposes, covering everything from the design and construction of ships through to seafarers’ qualifications and navigational matters. The purposes of Marine Protection Rules overlap to some extent, also enabling rules on ship design and navigational exclusion zones for example, along with the regulation of harmful substances, waste and oil spills. Maritime Rules on the other hand can have the purpose of ensuring environmental sustainability.”

The Rules are grouped by Maritime New Zealand into the following subject categories:

Maritime Rules

• Ship operations (Parts 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D, 24E, 25)
• Ship personnel (Parts 31, 32, 34, 35)
• Design, construction and equipment (Parts 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40E, 40F, 40G, 41, 42A, 42B, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
• Health, safety and welfare of ships’ personnel (Parts 50, 51, 52, 53)
• Documentation (Part 73)
• Marine craft (Part 82)
• Pilotage (Part 90)
• Navigation safety rules (Part 91)

Marine Protection Rules

• General marine protection (Parts 100, 101A, 101B, 102 and 103)
• Oil pollution prevention (Parts 120, 121A, 121B, 122, 123A, 123B, 125)
• Planning and response to marine oil spills (Parts 130A, 130B, 130C, 131, 132)
• Noxious liquid substances pollution prevention (Parts 140, 141, 142A, 142B, 143)
• Other harmful substances pollution prevention (Parts 150, 160, 170)
• Other marine protection rules including waste dumping, routeing of ships, air pollution and ballast (Parts 180, 190, 199, 300)