Maritime Carol

The Maintenance checks are done, drills completed as they should be, crew training up to date, everyone knows what they have to do, the punters are ashore and its time to relax. Time for a bit of 'me time'. Time to charge YOUR batteries. If something happened now, everything is in order. Yes, It's a good feeling when everything's up to date.

Not long before its all on again... Here's seven simple steps to becoming a Charter Boat Owner/Operator: 1. Talk to a MNZ recognised marine Surveyor BEFORE you build or buy ANY boat - from NZ or overseas.    Not all boats can easily go into survey. http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/commercial/safety/safety-management-systems/recognised-surveyors/ 2. Don't quit your day job just yet, becoming a qualified skipper takes time. http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/commercial/certification/masters-and-deck/SRL.asp 3. MNZ compliance is thorough and you'll need to get into the Maritime Operator Safety System (MOSS) This entails creating a good Maritime Transport Operator Plan with Maintenance Plan, Spare Parts list, completing a Fit & Proper Person form and applying to MNZ.  It can take a while. http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/commercial/safety/safety-management-systems/MOSS/ 4. PR/Marketing is next - Use Facebook, blog, as well as a website to tell everyone about it. 5. Get t...

Are you a power driven vessel or a vessel under sail,   Making way or Under way; Constrained by your draft, or not under command?  Maybe you are engaged in fishing or restricted in your ability to manoeuvre; The power driven vessel is like a maritime transport operator who is going somewhere.  All the paperwork is under control and its happening - fast. The operator under sail is going at a slower pace, taking their time as the clock ticks on. An operator making way is ready to get going, knows they need to get it sorted but doesn't know how to...   The operator who is underway is moving along nicely, plenty of time, paperwork under control and knows whats next. If you are an operator constrained by your draught or not under command it could involve some serious thinking on your part. Well done if you are involved in fishing for advice and my condolences if you are restricted in your ability to manoeuvre. As a Give Way vessel it is ou...