Apply for a Vessel Registration

Page last updated: 9th March 2023.

Use the guide below to find out how to apply for a vessel registration.

Please refer to the relevant guides for information about the Vessel Summary Screen, amending, renewing, or cancelling a vessel registration OR adding a GPR or cancelling a mobile GPR:

Contents

Apply for a Vessel Registration

Step Description
1 To apply for a vessel registration you can either complete and submit the appropriate form OR apply via the FishServe website.
  • To apply using a form, go to step 2.
  • To apply via the FishServe website, go to step 3.
Please note: Completing this application online is more cost-effective as the transaction fees are lower. Refer to our Schedule of Fees for more information.
Vessel Registration Form
2

To apply for a vessel registration using a form, download and complete an Application to Register a Vessel form based on the length of the vessel (either 28 metres and under or over 28 metres).

If the vessel is foreign-owned, download and complete the Application to Register a Foreign-Owned Vessel form. Foreign-owned Vessels (FOVs) have different registration requirements than New Zealand owned vessels. The form includes an application process guide and operator checklist that outline minimum information requirements that must be met.

Please return completed forms to FishServe by scanning and emailing them to registry@fishserve.co.nz OR your client representative. Scanned documents must be clear, legible, and signed by the appropriate person(s). Go to step 20.
Apply via Website
3 To apply via the FishServe website, click the Licences tab to begin.
Note: You must be signed into FishServe and have Vessel Manager authorisation to do this.
4 The Vessels screen will display.
Click Register a new vessel.
Note: Please refer to the Vessel Summary Screen page for more information.
5 The Vessel Registration screen will display.
Registration Details
6 Under Registration Details, complete the following actions (A to K).
A Answer the Prohibited Persons question.
B Answer the Owner questions.

If you answer No to Are you also the Owner? then you will need to provide owner details.
Use the search window that appears to search for the owner using either their name or client number.
C Answer the previous registration question.

If you answer Yes to Has this vessel ever been registered in New Zealand as a commercial fishing vessel? then you can search for its details.
Use the search window that appears to search for the vessel using either its name or vessel number.
Click on the vessel in the search results to load its details. 
D Provide the name (and any previous names) of the vessel.
E Choose the vessel category (e.g. 28 metres and under or over 28 metres).
F Select a start date for the vessel registration.
You can set a future date as the start date, but this means the registration will only become active at that date.
G Select the duration of the permit (e.g. 1 year, 2 years, 5 years).
The end date of the vessel registration will be set to the last day of the previous month, but in the chosen number of years time (e.g. 1 Oct 2022 - 30 Sept 2023).
H If the vessel is 28 metres and under, answer if you intend to fish for Orange Roughy, Scampi, or Deepwater Clam.
I Answer if you intend to catch Southern Bluefin Tuna (either targeted or as bycatch).

If you answer yes to Will Southern Bluefin Tuna be caught on this vessel (targeted or as bycatch)? then the vessel will be added to the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna's (CCSBT) list of vessel's authorised to fish for southern bluefin tuna. This list is publicly available here
J Answer if the vessel is registered under the Animal Products Act 1999 as a limiting processing fishing vessel or under a risk management programme.
K Answer the additional consent or conditions question.
Vessel Specifications
7 Under Vessel Specifications, complete the following actions (A to H).
Note: This section may already contain information if you answered Yes to Has this vessel ever been registered in New Zealand as a commercial fishing vessel? in step 6C and searched for vessel details.
In this case, you can amend any outdated information..
A Provide the Length and Registered Length of the vessel.
B Provide the Current Flag (i.e. country) and International Call Sign of the vessel.
C If applicable, provide the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Number of the vessel.
D If applicable, provide the Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) Number for the vessel.
Only Maritime New Zealand can provide an MNZ Number. Use this chart to determine if you need to also register your vessel with MNZ.
E Provide the Base Port of the vessel.
As you type in the Base Port field, suggested results will appear underneath.
You can choose a Base Port from this list by clicking on it.
F Provide technical specifications for the vessel including Gross Tonnage, details about its Engine(s), Speed, Hull, Superstructure, and Year Built.
G Indicate the number of Tenders associated with the vessel.
H Provide the Resale Value of the vessel and gear.
Fishing Details
8 Under Fishing Details, complete the following actions (A to E).
Note: This section may already contain information if you answered Yes to Has this vessel ever been registered in New Zealand as a commercial fishing vessel? in step 6C and searched for vessel details.
In this case, you can amend any outdated information.
A Provide the maximum number of days the vessel can spend at sea.
B Answer if the vessel can process fish meal and/or freeze product while at sea.
C Provide the number of fish holds and total capacity of those holds.
D Tick all Fishing Methods that apply to the vessel, even the methods you rarely use.
E Tick to indicate the Vessel Type (e.g. Liner, Trawler).
Crew Details
9 Under Crew, complete the following actions (A to E).
A Answer if you intend (or are likely to) employ crew who hold a work visa.
B Provide the total number of crew A members.
C Provide Master/Captain details for crew A.
If the crew member you are adding is not a New Zealand resident, you will have to provide their nationality and passport number.


You can use the search window to find details for the Master/Captain.
As you type, suggested results will appear underneath.
You can choose a Master/Captain from this list by clicking on their name.
If the user does not appear in the list, press Enter on your keyboard to enter their details.


Users authorised to report electronically will have  Can report electronically under their names.
If they are not authorised to report electronically, you will be asked Will this crew member be submitting electronic reports?
Use the drop-down menu to select Yes or No.


Crew members will receive a confirmation email after you add them.
They will then need to set their fishing location sharing to either shared or restricted.
For more information, refer to our Digital Monitoring page.
D If applicable, provide total number of crew B members (if none, enter 0).
E If applicable, provide Master/Captain details for crew B.
Refer to the notes in step 9C for further information.
Geospatial Position Reporting Device (GPR)
10 Under Geospatial Position Reporting Device (GPR), you will need to answer if you intend to use a mobile GPR or not.
If you only intend to use the GPR aboard one vessel, you must register it as a fixed GPR instead.
  • Select Yes if you intend to use a mobile GPR and go to step 11.
    A mobile GPR can be linked to multiple vessels.
  • Select No if you intend to use a fixed GPR and go to step 12. 
    A fixed GPR is for use on one vessel only.
Mobile GPR
11 If you select Yes, another field will appear underneath.
Use the drop-down menu to select a Mobile GPR from the list and then go to step 15.
Note: If a mobile GPR is not registered, this list will appear empty. Please refer to the Mobile GPR guide for further information.
GPR
12

If you select No, you will need to register a GPR against the vessel.

A Supplier Declaration form is required to do this, and the supplier of your GPR should have provided you one. If they have not, you must contact them for a copy of the form.

Enter the information exactly as it appears on the Supplier Declaration form in the corresponding fields.
13 Once you have entered the required information, you will need to provide a copy of the Supplier Declaration. This can either be: Note: Scanned documents that are emailed or uploaded must be clear, legible, and signed by the appropriate person(s).

To upload the Supplier Declaration, choose Select File from the drop-down menu.
Next, click the Select File button and choose the file(s) to upload from your PC.
14 Next, tick the Authorisation box if you agree.
15 Once you have provided all the required information, click Proceed to payment.



Note: If you are not ready to proceed with the application, you can click Save Draft and return to complete it later.
16 A pop-up will appear regarding Electronic reporting crew members.
After the application is submitted, crew members are sent an email to confirm they are crew aboard the vessel.
Click OK to proceed.
17 Payment methods vary based on your pre-payment status.
You can pay by either invoice OR credit card ONLY if you are pre-paid exempt. To pay by invoice, go to step 18.
You must pay by credit card if you are not pre-paid exempt. To do this, go to step 19.
Paying by Invoice
18 To pay by invoice, select By Invoice from the drop-down menu.
Click Pay and Submit Vessel Application.
The transaction charge will appear on your next statement for payment.
Go to step 20.
Paying by Credit Card
19 Payment by credit card is required unless you are preapproved.
Click Pay and Submit Vessel Application.


A Paystation pop-up will display.
Enter your card details, then click Pay Now.
Do not close or exit the browser while payment processes.


Note: You can still pay by credit card even if you are pre-paid exempt. To do this, select Credit Card from the drop-down list and click Pay and Submit Vessel Application.
20 Once your application is approved, we will mail your Certificate of Vessel Registration to you.
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Additional Resources

Please contact the helpline on 04 460 9555 or use our online contact form if you have any issues or questions.

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