Yachts and recreational vessels

Plan your voyage

Most yachts and recreational vessels arriving in New Zealand fall under the long-stay category of the Craft Risk Management Standard - Vessels (CRMS).

Download the Craft Risk Management Standard for Vessels [PDF, 1 MB]

A long-stay vessel is one that remains in New Zealand for 29 days or more or visits locations not designated as 'Places of First Arrival' (PoFA).

If you are bringing in a long-stay vessel into New Zealand, you must comply with the CRMS by providing proof of one of the following:

Clean before arrival: Conduct a thorough inspection and remove all biofouling from the hull and niche areas within 30 days of your arrival in New Zealand. The only acceptable biofouling for long-stay vessels is a slime layer and goose barnacles.
Clean out of water on arrival: Have a confirmed booking at an MPI- approved haul-out facility and enter this facility within 24 hours of arrival to remove biofouling.

Find MPI-approved NZ treatment suppliers

Download the CRMS frequently asked questions [PDF, 998 KB]

Short-stay vessels can meet the standard by providing evidence of continual hull maintenance using best practice. Short-stay vessels can only visit POFA and to a maximum of 28 days.

Providing evidence

Before you arrive, MPI will ask to see evidence that you meet the requirements.

Consider sending evidence before departure from your last port.

Early submission can help resolve potential issues, minimizing delays and costs upon arrival.

MPI encourages you to submit evidence of compliance in advance to vessels@mpi.govt.nz

Evidence may include:

antifouling records – invoices, certificates, photos
haul-out documentation – invoices, photos
underwater cleaning records – photos, videos, commercial dive reports
records of niche area cleaning – log of internal seawater systems maintenance
booking confirmation with an MPI-approved treatment provider within 24 hours of arrival.

For vessels over 20 meters, consider professional cleaning (haul-out or underwater cleaning).

Ensure your cleaning provider is familiar with the CRMS requirements:

Schedule 2: Minimum evidence requirements for vessel biofouling inspections – pages 15-17
Schedule 3: Required locations for vessel biofouling inspections – page 18
Schedule 4: Biofouling thresholds – page 19

Arrival in New Zealand

Vessels arriving without proof of compliance can be:

inspected via underwater camera
directed to haul out and remove fouling
directed to provide a dive report
directed to leave New Zealand waters.

All measures are at the owner’s expense.

Niche areas

Niche areas play a crucial role in biofouling maintenance, as they are more prone to biofouling buildup. These areas protrude from or are recessed into the hull, making them harder to clean. Examples include sea chest grids, sea chest interiors, cooling pipes, outlet pipes, propeller and shaft, rudder, keels, sensors, and thrusters.

It is important to show evidence that all niche areas have been cleaned prior to arrival in New Zealand.

A drawing of a boat with indications. — Niche areas on a recreational vessel where biofouling can accumulate

Internal seawater systems

Internal seawater systems can be high-risk areas for biofouling and can contain many foreign species. Monitor them regularly to make sure biofouling doesn't build up. Treat or flush internal systems with fresh water or use an approved preventative chemical treatment before you leave for New Zealand.

After arrival in New Zealand, dispose of any biofouling and wastewater, in bins or to landfill, so that it cannot be returned to the water.

Fishing equipment

Clean all equipment used in seawater such as nets, lines and bottom grabs after use and check for biofouling before storage.

Continual maintenance

In general, all recreational vessels should use continual maintenance to manage biofouling. Continual maintenance involves ongoing management of biofouling, including:

coating the hull and niche areas with antifouling paint appropriate for the planned voyage – consider the planned dry-docking schedule, vessel’s speed and activity, any stationary periods, vessel construction
regularly inspecting and cleaning the hull and niche areas, including during the voyage
having contingency plans in place to minimise fouling if your plans change
keeping records to show how biofouling is managed.

More information on best practice for recreational vessels can be found in the International Maritime Organization's (IMO's) Guidance for minimizing the transfer of invasive aquatic species as biofouling (hull fouling) for recreational craft.

Download the IMO guidance for recreational vessels [PDF, 17.7MB]