Part 91 continues the basic navigation safety rules contained in the Water Recreation Regulations, 1974, with some modifications and additions to bring the requirements up-to-date with modern boating conditions and safety expectations.
Part 91 requires carriage of personal floatation devices (buoyancy aids designed to be worn on the body) on board recreational craft. This includes pleasure craft and manually powered craft used in commercial operations eg: sea kayak rentals.
Wearing of devices on board recreational craft is required in circumstances of heightened danger or risk.
Certain recreational craft don’t have to carry personal floatation devices eg: sailboard where the sailor wears a wet suit, and persons training or participating in a sporting event where there’s a support vessel handy.
The rules incorporate standard for personal floatation devices, including specialist devices used in paddle craft applications.
Maritime Rules Part 91: Navigational Safety Rules [PDF: 83Kb, 17 pages]
Maritime NZ advisory circular on Part 91, 1994 [PDF: 118Kb, 10 pages]
Amendment to Part 91, 2010 [PDF:103Kb, 19 pages]
Amendment to Part 91, 2008 [PDF: 466Kb, 69 pages]
Amendment to Part 91, 2007 [PDF: 106Kb, 7 pages]
Amendment to Part 91, 2007 [PDF: 186Kb, 11 pages]
Original Rule [PDF: 8.99Mb, 82 pages]
Part 91 came into force on the 21 March 2003. It replaced the Water Recreation Regulations 1974.
The part was first amended by Maritime Rules Part 91 Amendment Rules in May 2007.
The part was amended by Maritime Rules Part 91 Amendment No. 2, in December 2007.
This part was then ameneded by Maritime (Various Amendments) Rules Parts 20-91 in 2008.
This part was most recently amended by Maritime Rules Various Amendments 2011, in 2011.
