Maritime Transport Operator Plans...

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  Maritime Transport Operator Plans...
When a maritime transport operator applies to MNZ for a Maritime Transport Operator Certificate (MTOC) to enable him/her to legally operate a commercial vessel in NZ, they must submit a Maritime Transport Operator Plan (MTOP) with their application.
The operator duly creates the plan - either by themselves or with assistance - and submits the application to Maritime NZ.
MNZ then complete a desk top review and report to the operator on their findings.  Often they ask for more clarification on a couple of points or they may be happy to observe/discuss at their site visit. By now the Operator Plan has been reviewed by at least three people which ensures gaps or questions should be understood prior to the Operator Certificate being issued.
This MTOP then becomes the operators manual of how they expect their business to run.

When we were first ushered into MOSS, the system was confusing.  It appeared that nobody seemed to know what was required and we were left floundering along as best we could - MNZ included.
Over the past three years, with many reviews and operator plans being created and developed, the system is proving itself as a good one - as long as the operator continues to review and update procedures, and records training.

If you don't understand & keep on top of your Maritime Transport Operator Plan's stated systems, you are likely to be given a Non-Compliance Notice at your first MNZ audit.    To prevent this happening, make time this month to ensure your Operator Plan is up to date and documents exactly what you do or review the system so you are 'doing what you say you would do'.
This can then be entered into your Logbook and training records as MTOP refresher training. (Tick)

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