Keeping crews safe at sea — where the regulator, the rules and the risks are different
Commercial fishing and aquaculture is some of New Zealand's most dangerous work, and around 2,500 people do it at sea. Maritime NZ is the regulator under the HSWA for commercial fishing vessels, and also runs the maritime rules that require an approved safety management system on every vessel. The HSWA still applies to the health and safety of everyone on board, and the biggest risks are falls overboard, deck hazards, fatigue and isolation.
Two regimes apply at sea. The Maritime Transport Act 1994 and the Maritime Rules focus on the safety of the vessel and navigation, while the HSWA focuses on the health and safety of the people on board. Maritime NZ is the regulator for both as they apply to commercial fishing vessels.
Under the Maritime Rules, operators must run an approved safety management system (often through the Maritime Operator Safety System, MOSS), covering safe operating parameters, crew qualifications and training, vessel maintenance, emergency procedures and continuous improvement. Under the HSWA, the operator is a PCBU with the primary duty of care for workers and others on board.
| Risk | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Falls overboard | A person in the water — cold-water shock and drowning, made worse if no one sees it happen. |
| Deck hazards | Winches, ropes and lines under tension, machinery, and slips on a wet, moving deck. |
| Manual handling | Heavy gear, nets and catch, often in a pitching sea. |
| Fatigue | Long hours and broken sleep — a major cause of accidents on vessels. |
| Confined spaces | Fish holds and tanks with dangerous atmospheres. |
| Isolation & weather | Far from help, exposed to sea state, cold and changing weather. |
Keep people aboard: guard rails, deck layout and harnesses where needed, and a man-overboard plan that everyone knows. Keep the deck clear and stow gear low for stability, manage lines and machinery, and store sharp tools safely. Manage fatigue through realistic rosters and rest — see fatigue management. Treat holds and tanks as confined spaces, and plan for working alone or out of contact — see lone & remote worker safety.
Vessels often involve more than one business — the operator, contractors, and shore-based services — so the parties must consult, co-operate and co-ordinate. The master or skipper must report accidents and serious harm to Maritime NZ as soon as practicable. Free crew training is available through MarineSAFE.
Manage your safety system, crew training and incident records in one place. Book a demo and we'll show you how it works — free 30-day trial included.
Maritime NZ is the regulator under the HSWA for commercial fishing vessels, and also administers the Maritime Transport Act and Maritime Rules covering vessel and navigational safety.
Yes. Under the Maritime Rules, commercial fishing vessel operators must have an approved safety management system, often through MOSS, covering operating parameters, crew training, maintenance and emergencies.
Falls overboard, deck hazards such as winches and lines under tension, manual handling, fatigue, confined spaces like fish holds, and the isolation and weather of working at sea.
Yes. The Maritime rules cover the vessel and navigation, while the HSWA covers the health and safety of the people on board, with the operator as a PCBU holding the primary duty of care.
The master or skipper must report accidents and serious harm to Maritime NZ as soon as practicable.
