Change in New Zealand Law - Maritime Rule 25.

From 1 February 2001 Maritime Rule 25: Nautical Charts and Publications replaced the Shipping (Nautical Publications) Regulations 1988. Part 25 ensures that New Zealand continues to meet its obligations under Chapter V Regulation 20 (Nautical Publications) and Regulation 21 (International Code of Signals) of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS).

The change in New Zealand law requires commercial and SOLAS class vessels to purchase corrected charts for navigation from retailers who are authorised to undertake chart corrections.

Rule 25 does not apply to:

• the purchase of any charts for recreational use

• Overseas Chart Retailers

• Commercial vessels less than 12 metres in length

Part 25 sets out the requirements for the carriage of charts and nautical publications on ships. It applies with certain specified exceptions, to commercial vessels of 12 metres or more in length overall that operate within enclosed water limits and all commercial vessels operating outside enclosed water limits.

Rule 25 can be viewed on the Maritime Safety Authority website: www.msa.govt.nz