Guidance Document  
+ 
 
 
Guidance Document for the 
Craft Risk Management 
Standard - Biofouling on 
Vessels Arriving to  
New Zealand  
Accompanying Information for the Craft Risk Management 
Standard for Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New 
Zealand.   This Guidance Document  is intended for use  
once  the CRMS comes into  force in 2018 .  
. 
 
 
 
A guidance document issued by  the Ministry for Primary Industries  Guidance Document :  Guidance Document for the Craft Risk Management Standard - Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
 Draft  . 
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  1 of 30 Title 
Guidance Document for the Craft Risk Management Standard - Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New 
Zealand  
About this document  
This document contains guidance material to be read with the Craft Risk Management Standard for Biofouling 
on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand (the CRMS ) which comes into force in 2018.  
Related Requirements  
This guidance relates to the requirements of the CRMS . 
The CRMS applies to vessels coming into New Zealand territory from the point when they enter the seaward 
boundary of the territorial sea (12 na utical miles from the coastal baseline), and for all the time they remain in 
the territory including in the internal waters.   
Contact Details  
Ministry for Primary Industry (MPI)  
Standards Branch  
Plants Food and Environment Directorate  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
Email: Standards@mpi.govt.nz  
Disclaimer  
This guidance does not constitute, and should not be regarded as, legal advice . While every effort has been 
made to ensure the information in this guidance is accurate, the Ministry for Primary Industries does not 
accept any responsibility or liability whatsoever for any error of fact, omission, interpretation or opinion that 
may be present, however it may have occurred.  
Copyright  
 
Crown copyright ©. This copyright work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand 
licence. In essence, you are free to copy, distribute and adapt the work, as long as you attribute the work to the Ministry for Primary 
Industries and abide by the other licence terms. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/nz/ . 
Please note that no gov ernmental emblem, logo or Coat of Arms may be used in any way which infringes any provision of the Flags, 
Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981 or would infringe such provision if the relevant use occurred within New Zealand. 
Attribution to the Ministry f or Primary Industries should be in written form and not by reproduction of any such emblem, logo or Coat of 
Arms.  
Guidance Document :  Guidance Document for the Craft Risk Management Standard - Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
 Draft  . 
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  2 of 30 Contents   
1 Purpose  3 
2 Background  3 
3 Definitions  3 
4 The ‘clean hull’ requirement and how to meet it  3 
4.1 Meeting the ‘clean hull’ requirement by cleaning in preparation for visit to New Zealand  4 
4.2 Meeting the ‘clean hull’ requirement by continual maintenance  4 
4.3 Meeting the ‘clean hull’ requi rement by using approved treatments  6 
5 Craft risk management plans  6 
6 Acceptable Evidence  7 
6.1 For vess els achieving compliance by cleaning before or on arrival  7 
6.2 For vessels relying on continual maintenance to comply  7 
7 Verification, inspection, direction of non -compliant vessels and costs  8 
8 Measures that MPI may direct  vessels to undertake if non -compliant  8 
9 Expediting clearance  9 
10 Additional guidance for classes of vessels  9 
10.1  Commercial shipping  9 
10.2  Slow movers  10 
10.3  Recreational vessels  10 
11 Information for providers and facility operators  11 
12 Available approved treatments, approved  cleaning facilities and their operators, 
approved inspection providers  11 
Appendix 1  IMO Guideline templates for Biofouling Manag ement Plan and Record Book  12 
Appendix 2    Description and illustrative examples of the biofouling allowances in Tables 1 
and 2 of the CRMS (to be applied after CRMS comes into force in 2018)  24 
Appendix 3    Template for a Craft Risk Management Plan  30 
 
 
 Guidance Document :  Guidance Document for the Craft Risk Management Standard - Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
 Draft  . 
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  3 of 30 1 Purpose  
This document contains guidance material to be read with the Craft Risk Management Standard for Biofouling on 
Vessels Arriving to New Zealand (the CRMS) which comes into force in 2018.  The CRMS is a standard under 
the Biosecurity Act 1993 with which an op erator or person in charge of a craf t must (according to section 24J of 
the Act ) comply.  
 
2 Background  
The CRMS  is intended to ensure the risk of harmful organisms being introduced into New Zealand by the 
biofouling pathway is managed.  
The spread outside  their natural ranges of aquatic organisms, particularly adventive species, through transfer as 
vessel biofouling is an internationally recognised issue. Under the Convention for Biological Diversity, the issue 
has been named as one of the major concerns f or ocean environments and the UN International Maritime 
Organisation (IMO) has been charged with finding solutions that international shipping can agree to.  Under the 
IMO a resolution has been agreed to encourage vessel operators to manage this risk and f or member states to 
expedite uptake of IMO Guidelines. This standard aligns with the IMO Guidelines for biofouling management1 and 
is intended to contribute towards global management of this pathway as well protecting New Zealand from further 
introductions  of marine pest species.  
 
3 Definitions  
All definitions are as given in the CRMS.  
 
4 The ‘clean hull’  requirement  and how to meet it  
The CRMS requires vessels to arrive into New Zealand territory with a ‘clean hull’. This is the approach used in 
the CRMS to meet the desired outcome of ‘minimising entry of harmful organisms arriving as biofouling’.  
The CRMS gives a definition of ‘clean hull’ that includes  thresholds for allowance of some biofouling for  the two 
categories of vessel – 1) short -stay and 2) long -stay vessels (see Table 1 and 2 of the CRMS).  Appendix 2  below  
gives an explanation of the allowances and illustrations to assist understanding and identification of compliant 
and non compliant levels of fouling for a vessel.  
There are three options given in the CRMS of measures that are acceptable to be used to arrive with a ‘clean 
hull’:  
a) Vessels can be readied for an arrival to Ne w Zealand by cleaning the hull; or  
                                                             
1 Guidelines  can be read on MPI’s website here www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/biosec/policy -laws/intl/2011 -imo-guidelines.pdf  
 Guidance Document :  Guidance Document for the Craft Risk Management Standard - Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
 Draft  . 
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  4 of 30 b) The operator may contin ually maintain and manage the hull, to prevent the accumulation of 
biofouling beyond the allowance. A lso a  vessel is deemed to meet the requirements under the 
CRMS if the hull is being managed in al ignment with the IMO Guidelines; or  
c) The biofouling organisms can be deactivated by using an approved treatment.  
Note that instead of meeting the CRMS a vessel operator can submit an alternative management approach that is 
equivalent to complying with the  CRMS. This may include providing information to show the species present on 
the vessel would not be harmful to New Zealand or would have low likelihood of establishing in New Zealand as a 
result of the visit of the vessel.  This must be submitted to MPI a s a Craft Risk Management Plan. The following 
gives more detail on these options.  
 
4.1 Meeting the ‘clean hull’ requirement by cleaning in preparation for 
visit to New Zealand    
Cleaning means  the removal of all biofouling from all hull areas  – the hull areas  are defined in the CRMS and 
include niche areas that are susceptible to fouling.  Under the CRMS, the cleaning is required, to be carried out 
less than 30 days before arrival to New Zealand. To ensure clearance at the border, cleaning should be carried 
out by an approved provider.  An approved provider will provide a report or certificate to certify the hull as ‘clean’ 
and the date of the cleaning . This can be made available , if requested, to MPI for verification of declared 
measures taken.   
Particular car e should  be taken to clean  or treat sea-water inlet pipes , sieves and  gratings , areas around the 
rudder, areas susceptible to paint wear, projections and recesses . Sea water systems should  be treated using 
methods, such as flushing with detergents or chemicals (e.g. bleach ). In the case of sea -chests  which are usually 
part of sea -water systems on larger vessels , removal of the outer grating  and water -blasting the inside is 
recommend ed.  Care should be taken to clean  the entire hull to ensure that invisible microscopic stages of 
biofouling species are also removed.  
If the intention is to meet the CRMS by cleaning the vessel on arrival in New Zealand, the CRMS requires this to 
be carried out in an approved hull cleaning facility or by using an approved in -water cleaning system, within 24 
hours of arrival. MPI will seek evidence that the vessel has been booked in to have the cleaning carried out within 
this timeframe.  If it is not practically feasible to meet this timeframe, a request can be made for an extension of 
time and will be granted if the intent is to remove the biofouling risk from the vessel, or the vessel from the sea, as 
quickly as possible.  
For information on the following go to www.biosecurity.govt.nz :  
 Becoming an approved provider of inspection and/or hull cleaning and/or treatment  
 A list of current approved providers and where relevant, their approved systems  
 Application for approval of a biofouling treatment/ in -water cleaning system  
 Application for approval of a hull cleaning facility  
 A list of approved treatments for general use  
 
4.2 Meeting the ‘clean hull’ requirement by continual maintenance  
Continual maintenance means meeti ng the CRMS by operating an ongoing maintenance regime for biofouling 
prevention by utilising current best practice s. A best practice regime is described below. Adherence to the IMO 
Guidelines is considered best practice for ships, particularly commercial shipping that is at sea for the majority of 
time and is mainly travelling at moderate  to high  speed and not ‘slow steaming’.  Guidance Document :  Guidance Document for the Craft Risk Management Standard - Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
 Draft  . 
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  5 of 30 Best current practice in continual biofouling maintenance includes:  
 Antifouling coatings are applied to all immersed surfaces , are appropriate to the particular hull areas 
and are guaranteed as ‘effective for the expect ed operations of the vessel2’.  Effectiveness  includes 
that the types of coating and the application (such as thickness of coatings) are reasonably expected  
to perform  for  
– the vessel’s particular operating profile including percentage time at sea versus in port, average 
speed of the vessel, any expected lay -up periods, and operating conditions (e.g. coastal or 
oceanic; temperate, tropical or polar) ; and  
– a specific sta ted duration which may be reliant on stated maintenance such as wiping off slime etc 
after periods of inactivity (such as required for some foul -release coatings ).   
 
 If a replacement interval longer than 5 years i s planned, the coating’s long  effective  life properties 
should  be evidenced in the vessel’s on -board documentation , or, if the coating’s life is being extended 
beyond its effective age, the planned increased cleaning regime to ensure management of biofouling 
when antifouling is becoming deplete d should be evidenced in the vessel’s procedures and/or 
biofouling management plan . (Antifouling coatings are mostly effective for the usual dry -docking and 
antifoul replacement period of 5 years3.) 
 
 Antifouling coatings are within their reasonably expecte d effective service life for duration of the 
vessel’s visit to New Zealand.  
 
 Niche areas, which are areas more susceptible to biofouling growth, are protected from biofouling 
growth by use of coatings suitable for the conditions such as low water flow expo sure, cavitation, high 
wear or abrasion, and/or by marine growth prevention systems (MGPSs) such as chemical dosing of 
sea-water systems, electrolytic production of chemical biocide, heat treatment, etc.  
 
 The vessel operates according to a plan specific to  the vessel (preferably a biofouling management 
plan based on the IMO template - see Appendix 1),  that ensures antifouling coatings are well 
maintained and that the biofouling state of the hull including the niche areas is monitored.  
 
 In-water inspections are undertaken when biofouling growth is suspected or at any opportunity such as 
when diver or camera inspections are being undertaken , and the plan sets a frequency to be achieved 
that is appropriate to the vessel ’s known rate of biofouling accumulation.  
 
 All hull maintenance or cleaning actions, marine growth prevention system  operations and hull 
inspections are recorded and records are kept on board at least from the date of last full antifouling 
application , preferably in the form of the IMO template – see  Appendix 1.  
 
 Hull cleaning is undertaken when excessive  biofouling4  has been detected.  
 
 Hull inspection reports following cleaning and re -inspection are retained on -board.  
  
                                                             
2 ‘Effective’ means prevents biofouling developing on the hull  
3 Most vessels required to comply with SOLAS (Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) are required to have a dry-dock  
inspection twice in  every 5 years  but many vessels obtain exemption to allow alternate inspections to be in -water inspections . 
4 Excessive biofouling means above the applicable allowance – see Table 1 and 2 of the CRMS.  Guidance Document :  Guidance Document for the Craft Risk Management Standard - Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  6 of 30  
4.3 Meeting the ‘clean hull’ requirement  by using approved treatments  
Vessel operators are also given the option of using approved treatments.  Treatments will be considered for 
approval on application.  Application details are on the website www.biosecurity.govt.nz . Treatment means an 
action that renders the organisms non -viable.  Treatments must be approved by MPI before use. They must 
achieve a reduction in risk equivalent to that achieved by arriving with a ‘clean hull’,  and this would need to be 
demonstrated to MPI  such as by providing a report of results from evaluation and testing against the CRMS.  
Treatme nts may include, but are not limited to, such methods as: - enclosing the hull (while in -water) in a close 
fitting impermeable wrapping material; application of chemicals ; heat treatment; or ultrasonic treatment . 
These must be approved prior to use , and prior to arrival of the vessel to New Zealand . Once approved, 
treatments become ‘approved treatments’. Any application made to MPI for the approval of a treatment must:  
 provide documented proof of effectiveness of the proposed means of meeting the outcome of this 
CRMS ; and 
 be made by application in the prescribed form available at www.biosecurity.govt.nz . 
A treatment may be approv ed to be used in respect of a specific vessel or it may be approved to be used in 
respect of any vessel or a class of vessels, in which case it will be added to a list of approved treatments 
available from MPI.   
The list of currently approved treatments c an be found on the MPI website.  
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/border/transitional -facilities/bnz -std-abtrt 
 
5 Craft risk management plans  
A craft risk management plan (CRMP) under section 24K of the Biosecu rity Act 1993 (the Act)  can be submitted 
for approval by MPI where an operator of a vessel /vessels or a floating drill rig wishes to use alternative 
measures to ensuring a clean hull (or pontoons) on arrival.  A plan  may be chosen as the way of achieving 
clearance for the following circumstances :  
 Where  an alternative way is used to show  the vessel is minimising the risk of introduction of harmful 
organisms, such as where the species in the biofouling can be shown as unlikely to be harmful in New 
Zealand  or unlikely to establish here   
 Where the proposed process for ensuring freedom from harmful organisms is complex. For example 
the process may involve a number of combined measures such as an offshore inspection and rem oval 
of biofouling to the extent practical, followed by another inspection on arrival with identification and 
removal of any remaining organisms that are considered a risk to New Zealand, and possibly ongoing 
monitoring for appearance of any further harmfu l organisms once the vessel/rig is deployed in New 
Zealand.    
MPI can assist with advice on development of a CRMP.    
Under section 24K of the Act a CRMP must include the steps that will be taken to mitigate the biofouling risk and 
these must be approved by MPI.  It should also include the dates of the arrival or duration of the plan if it is to 
cover more than one arrival, and include the details of the vessel or vessels covered.  A template that can be 
used for developing a CRMP is given  in Appendix 3.  Guidance Document :  Guidance Document for the Craft Risk Management Standard - Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
 Draft  . 
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  7 of 30 Operations under a CRMP will be subject to occasional audit inspections by MPI to verify that the mitigation steps 
have been taken as per the plan.  
If intending to use a CRMP, contact MPI early in the planning stage at:  Standards@mpi.govt.nz .  MPI can assist 
you with your development of a plan.  
 
6 Acceptable Evidence  
The following specifies acceptable proof that measures have been implemented or other requirements of the 
CRMS met.  
6.1 For vessels achievi ng compliance by cleaning before or on arrival  
Where an approved provider is used to clean  a vessel  hull shortly before entering New Zealand  territory, a report 
or certificate from the approved provider should  be provided to show  the date of cleaning  did n ot exceed 30 days 
before arrival in New Zealand.  The list of approved providers is on the MPI website or can be requested by 
contacting Standards@mpi.govt.nz . Alternatively v essels  operators  can supply other evid ence that cleaning  has 
occurred. Acceptable evidence includes  
 Recent ‘Clean hull’ certificate or report provided by an approved provider of hull inspection following 
inspection  
 Log book showing dates of haul -out or in -water inspections, hull cleaning, antifouling application with 
evidence of dates and actions such as electronically dated images or video.  
 Receipts from hull cleaning, antifouling paint purchase, us e of a haul -out facility  
Where it is intended that in-water cleaning will be undertaken within 24 hours of  arrival, proof of a definite  
arrangement with an approved provider must be supplied along with  evidence that the activity is permitted at the 
proposed cleaning location , or the provider has a consent , under the Resource Management Act 1991 . In the 
case of long -stay vessels, submission, before arrival, of copies of evidence of cleaning and re -inspection may be 
requested.  
If removal of the vessel or the biofouling risk from the water within 24 hours is expected to be practically not 
feasible, MPI may grant an extension of time on application.  
 
6.2 For vessels relying on continual maintenance to comply  
 Recent ‘Clean hull’ certificate or reports of in -water inspections between dry -docking biofouling 
inspections and removal.  
 International Anti -foulin g Certificate for proof of date of application or most recent re -application of 
antifouling for a vessel  
 Biofouling Management Plan  (BMP)  tailored to the vessel carried on board for view by an inspector  
 Record Book carried on board showing records of acti ons taken under the BCP.  
 Guidance Document :  Guidance Document for the Craft Risk Management Standard - Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  8 of 30 7 Verification, inspection, direction of non -compliant vessels 
and costs  
 Vessels are expected to  carry evidence on board for the purpose of demonstrating compliance to an inspector .  
Any vessel  may be subject to verification activi ty at the border.  This may include sighting the evidence above, 
inspection of the hull, and sampling and/or photograph y of the biofouling.  
Vessels that do not comp ly with the requirements of the  CRMS  may be directed by an inspector, under sections 
32 or 33 of the Act,  to undertake mitigation measures.  Refer to measures for  mitigation of the risk of non 
compliant vessels in section  9 below . 
An inspector may direct the operator or person in charge of a vessel to: - 
d) deal with biofouling as the inspector spec ifies, if the vessel will remain in New Zealand territory, or  
e) if there is no available approved facility or in -water system  for managing the biofouling risk , to move 
the vessel from  New Zealand territory  and possibly proceed outside the Exclusive Economic  Zone,  
within a period of 24 hours or as otherwise  specified by the inspector .  
For recreational vessels , an underwater viewing scope may be used where inspectors suspect , based on 
documented information, that the hull is fo uled.  
Underwater inspection may  be carried out for vessel classes other than recreational vessels if a vessel operator 
disagrees that there is a likely presence of biofouling above the applicable threshold of the CRMS. In such cases 
the vessel operator  may obtain an underwater survey fr om to confirm lack of risk. This survey would need to be 
carried out by an  MPI approved provider within 24 hours or as soon as feasible and would be carried out at the 
vessel operator’s expense.   
Border clearance of arriving vessels is funded by the Crown . However MPI will recover cost at an hourly rate5 for 
time spent dealing with the risk of non -complaint vessels.  
Hull maintenance and any actions  for non -compliant vessels directed by MPI such as haul -out and/or cleaning in-
wate r are at the expense of the  vessel owner or operator . Also MPI is not liable for cost of delay or disruption of 
cargo or passenger travel itineraries or loading schedule s resulting from actions directed by an inspector . 
 
8 Measures that MPI may direct vessels to undertake if non-
compliant  
Arriving with a non compliant vessel does not usually incur a penalty but is likely to cause delays to loading, 
unloading and travel itineraries and, for commercial vessels, may result in rescheduling of subsequent port calls 
and the possib ility of being directed by an inspector to leave New Zealand without completing loading orders.   
MPI policy is to remove the biosecurity risk from the water within 24 hours or as soon as feasible.   
The following are the only current options for dealing wit h the risk of non -compliant vessels at this date:  
 Haul-out: If an approved facility (transitional facility under section 37 of the Act) is available in the 
vicinity, the vessel can be directed to be hauled out within 24 hours (with cleaning permitted to be  
carried out beyond this time frame ). This option is expected be used for recreational vessels and 
                                                             
5 Rate is as per  Biosecurity (Costs) Regulations 2010  Guidance Document :  Guidance Document for the Craft Risk Management Standard - Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
 Draft  . 
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  9 of 30 possibly for other vessels that can be accommodated on slips at boat yards , depending on availability 
of facilities  that have been approved as Transitional F acilities under the Act.  
 
  Spot clean: If the biofouling is restricted to one or a few particular hull areas that can be cleaned in -
water by removal of organisms by hand without release of material into the water, this method can be 
used. The removal must be carried out by an approved provider and be carried out within 24 hours or 
as soon as feasible. The vessel will be directed to remain at the port of arrival until it has received 
clearance.  The inspector may require evidence from the provider that the h ull is clean, such as 
photographic evidence.  
 
 Restrict vessel to travel directly between ports designated as places of first arriva l (POFAs)  under the 
Act.  (If a vessel arrives with the intension to be fully cleared for free access to all areas of New 
Zealand or to access any pla ces other than POFAs , and the biofouling is found to be above the 
threshold6 for long -stay but within the allowance for short -stay vessels, the inspector may restrict the 
vessel to only visiting POFAs and only allow direct travel b etween those POFAs .)  
 
 If no other options are available the vessel will be directed to leave New Zealand within 24 hours or as 
soon as feasible. The vessel will receive advice that it will not gain clearance at a subsequent visit to 
New Zealand unless the  hull has been cleaned and evidence is presented to verify that the vessel now 
meets the requirements of the CRMS.   
 
 
9 Expediting clearance  
The following are ways for vessel operators to gain better certainty of biofouling clearance without delay.  
 
(1) Craft R isk Management Plan approved by the Director General (DG) –The section above discusses these 
plans and when one may be useful  
(2) Becoming a low risk vessel – MPI operates a system that assesses a vessel at every visit to New Zealand. 
A vessel with a good reco rd of compliance can become a low risk vessel and is not subject to inspection at 
every visit but will be subject to occasional audit inspections by MPI  
(3) Endorsement by MPI of codes of practice – These can be developed by a vessel sector or industry to 
guide their members as to practical and acceptable ways of meeting the CRMS. Codes of practice may be 
endorsed by MPI as aligning with the CRMS  
(4) Providing clear evidence – Refer to section 6 above on Acceptable Evidence .  
 
10 Additional guidance for c lasses of vessels  
10.1 Commercial shipping  
It is expected that most cargo and passenger vessels that are short -stay7  will rely on continual maintenance of 
the hull to meet the CRMS requirements.  MPI will use evidence such as last international anti -fouling certificate 
to verify whether the vessel is within date for the usual 5 yearly dry docking and reapplication of a ntifouling 
                                                             
6 Thresholds and explanation of the vessel categories are in the CRMS section 2.3  
7 Vessels calling for a short time at ports in New Zealand designated under the Act as Places of First Arrival  Guidance Document :  Guidance Document for the Craft Risk Management Standard - Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
 Draft  . 
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  10 of 30 coatings and may look at the vessel’s records to check there have been hull inspections and maintenance of any 
biofouling between dry dockings, as this is part of a best practice biofouling management regime.  Vessels that 
operate a hull coating  reapplication regime other than 5 yearly may be asked to explain what reapplication and  
other maintenance regime they have and the reasons this is effective beyond 5 years.  Information on coating 
type and manufacturer should be available on-board as insp ectors may require this detail.  
 If vessels have been stationary for an extended period this must be declared in the arrival documentation as it is 
an indicator that the vessel could have biofouling over the allowance.   
Giving false information such as f alsification of a declaration or a certificate is an offence under the Act.   
Cruise vessels that have obtained special permission to visit places that are not Ports of First Arrival, or that have 
become fully cleared to cruise freely in New Zealand, will be required to meet the more stringent threshold of no 
biofouling apart from slime and goose barnacles.  (Slime is the first stage of biofouling and cannot be avoided and 
goose barnacles are oceanic species of no risk to New Zealand coastal resources). Thi s will probably require 
cleaning of the hull in preparation to come to New Zealand.  If the vessel is operating in New Zealand waters for a 
few months it is recommended that it is also antifouled shortly before starting its New Zealand operations.  
10.2 Slow mo vers 
Slow moving vessels such as tugs, barges or floating exploration drill rigs, and some vessels that are on delivery 
voyages to New Zealand, such as newly chartered inshore fishing vessels, are often very fouled due to lack of 
fast movement or wave acti on to activate the antifouling protection.  These vessels should be cleaned (and 
preferably re -antifouled) in preparation for their transfer to New Zealand.  It is recommended that those planning 
to transfer such a vessel contact MPI as early as possible t o discuss how they intend meeting the biofouling 
requirements.  Email : Standards@mpi.govt.nz   
10.3 Recreational vessels  
Recreational vessels such as yachts often arrive to New Zealand after a long cruise from across th e world and 
have had little opportunity to renew their antifouling on the way. In the past these have arrived to New Zealand 
with a high level of biofouling and the intent to rest up and defoul the vessel in New Zealand.  For several years 
New Zealand has sent out advice that these vessels should remove biofouling before they set out for the last leg 
of their voyage to New Zealand.  Despite this, some vessels still do not have clean hulls on arrival. MPI utilises 
underwater scopes to inspect hulls of recrea tional vessels. Inspectors will direct vessels that have biofouling 
above the applicable threshold to be hauled out and cleaned in a hull cleaning facility that has MPI approval8.  
Most major arrival ports for yachts will have such a facility.  It will pro bably be a facility that is used by the public 
but will have quarantine procedures in place for dealing with vessels under a biosecurity direction.  After cleaning 
to the satisfaction of the inspector the vessel will receive a biosecurity clearance certifi cate and be released to 
cruise anywhere.  Haul out, hard stand use and cleaning will be carried out at the expense of the vessel operator.  
Some recreational vessels cleaning at  their last destination before New Zealand may not be able to find approved 
providers to supply ‘clean hull’ certificate. In this case , other evidence can be presented such as dated 
photographs of the cleaning taking place or of the clean hull afterwards and/or receipts from purchase of 
antifouling  paint .  
 
                                                             
8 under the MPI S tandard for Transiti onal Facilities ( under  section 39 of  the Act) 
 Guidance Document :  Guidance Document for the Craft Risk Management Standard - Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  11 of 30 11 Information for providers a nd facility operators  
Procedures and forms are available for application for the following:  
 Becoming an approved provider of inspection or cleaning/treatments, or  
 Becoming an operator of an approved facility or  
 Approval of a facility as a transitional fac ility for hull cleaning  
They can be found on the MPI Biosecurity website www.biosecurity.govt.nz   or you can contact MPI for 
assistance by emailing Standards@mpi.govt.n z. 
 
12 Available approved treatments, approved cleaning facilities 
and their operators, approved inspection providers  
The following are listed on the MPI Biosecurity website www.biosecurity.govt.nz  
 Approved providers of inspections/ treatments both offshore and in New Zealand.  
 Hull cleaning facilities approved as transitional facilities under the Act.  
 Treatments that have been approved and become Approved Treatments for use generally or by 
specified  classes of vessels under the CRMS.  
  Guidance Document :  Guidance Document for the Craft Risk Management Standard - Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  12 of 30 Appendix 1  IMO Guideline templates for Biofouling 
Management Plan and Record Book  
Biofouling Management Plan  
The purpose of the Plan is to outline measures for the control and management of this vessel’s  biofouling to 
minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species.  
 
Ship’s name  Xxx 
Flag Xxx 
Port of registry  Xxx 
Gross tonnage  Xxx 
IMO number  Xxx 
Length  Xxx 
Beam  Xxx 
Ship type  Xxx 
Call sign  Xxx 
Document reference:  Xxx   
 
Document date:  Xxx   
 
Created by:  Xxx   Guidance Document :  Guidance Document for the Craft Risk Management Standard - Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  13 of 30 1 Introduction  
This Biofouling Management Plan is specific and unique for this vessel, as identified at the front page.  
The Plan is following the outline given in the IMO guideline, MEPC.207(62) , dated 15 July 2011, entitled 2 011 
guidelines for the control and management of ship’s biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic 
species . 
The Plan shall be readily available to any port State authority for viewing on request.  
Annex 1 of this plan includes a sample  of the Record Book, where this vessel’s crew document activities 
performed for biofouling maintenance.  
Biofouling means the accu mulation of aquatic organisms such as micro -organisms, plants, and animals on 
surfaces and structures immersed in or exposed to the aquatic environment. Biofouling can include microfouling 
(microscopic organisms including bacteria and diatoms and the slimy  substances that they produce) and 
macrofouling (e.g. barnacles, tubeworms, or fronds of algae).  
In the adoption of the 2004 Ballast Water Management  (BWM)  Convention, Member States of the IMO made a 
clear commitment to minimizing the transfer of invasive aquatic species by shipping. Biofouling management is 
not required by the BWM  Convention  since it is not part of the scope . 
However, st udies have shown that biofouling can also be a significant vector for the transfer of invasive aquatic 
species. Biofoulin g on ships entering the waters of States may result in the establishment of invasive aquatic 
species which may pose threats to human, animal and plant life, economic and cultural activities and the aquatic 
environment.  
The 2001 Anti -Fouling Systems  (AFS)  Convention addresses anti -fouling systems on ships  and the  focus is on 
the prevention of adverse impacts from the use of anti -fouling systems and the biocides they may contain . The 
AFS Convention does not address  preventing the transfer of invasive aquatic species.  
All ships have some degree of biofouling, even those which may have been recently cleaned or had a new 
application of an anti -fouling coating system. The biofouling that may be found on a ship is influe nced by a range 
of factors, such as follows:  
 
1) Design and construction, particularly the number, location and design of niche areas.  
2) Specific operating profile, including factors such as operating speeds, ratio of time underway compared 
with time alongside,  moored or at anchor.  
3) Places visited and trading routes.  
4) Maintenance history, including: the type, age and condition of any anti -fouling coating system, installation 
and operation of anti -fouling systems and dry -docking/slipping and hull cleaning practices . 
 
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  14 of 30   
2 Purpose of the plan  
The purpose of the Plan is to outline measures for the control and management of this vessel’s biofouling to 
minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species.  
 
3 Description of the anti -fouling system  
 
The following anti -fouling 
system(s) are used on this 
vessel Applied / installed where  Manufacturer & product 
name  System specification * 
    
    
    
    
 
(*) anti-fouling system specifications (including dry film thickness for coatings, dosing and frequency for MGPSs, etc.) together with  the expected effective 
life, operating conditions required for coatings to be effective, cleaning requirements and any other  specifications relevant for paint performance.  
This vessel carries the following certificates and/or other documents of the anti -fouling system (s): 
Document  Reference / ID 
AFS certificate   
AFS statement of 
compliance   
other documents   
  
 
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  15 of 30 4 Description of operating profile  
This vessel has the following operating profile, which has influenced the specifications of the ship's anti -fouling 
systems and operational practices.  
 
Factor  Vessel’s operating profile  
Typical operating speed:  Xxx 
Periods underway at sea compared with 
periods berthed, anchored or moored:  Xxx 
Typical operating areas or trading 
routes:  Xxx 
Planned duration between dry -dockings:  Xxx 
 
5 Description of areas on the ship susceptible to biofouling  
The following table gives an overview of this vessel’s hull areas, niche areas and seawater cooling systems on 
the ship that are particularly susceptible to biofouling. The table also gives the management actions required for 
each area.  
 
 
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  16 of 30 Table  1 - Biofouling management action plan for this vessel  
 
Areas particularly susceptible to 
biofouling  Management actions required for each area (e.g., inspections, 
cleaning, repairs and maintenance)  Management actions to be undertaken if ship 
operates outside its us ual operating profile  
External hull surfaces:    
- Vertical sides  Xxx 
e.g. This area is inspected at each dry docking and cleaned as found 
necessary.  Yyy  
e.g. Additional inspection as found necessary.  
- Flats  Xxx Yyy 
- Boottop  Xxx Yyy 
- Bow dome  Xxx Yyy 
- Transom  Xxx  Yyy  
   
Hull appendages and fittings:    
- Bilge keels  Xxx (if applicable)  
e.g. This area is inspected at each dry docking and cleaned as found 
necessary.  Yyy (if applicable)  
e.g. Additional inspection as found necessary.  
- A-brackets  Xxx (if applicable)  Yyy (if applicable)  
- Stabilizer fins  Xxx (if applicable)  Yyy (if applicable)  
- CP anodes  Xxx (if applicable)  Yyy (if applicable)  Guidance Document :  Guidance Document for the Craft Risk Management Standard - Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  17 of 30 Areas particularly susceptible to 
biofouling  Management actions required for each area (e.g., inspections, 
cleaning, repairs and maintenance)  Management actions to be undertaken if ship 
operates outside its us ual operating profile  
   
Steering and propulsion:    
- Propeller  Xxx Yyy 
- Propeller shaft  Xxx Yyy 
- Stern tube  seal Xxx  Yyy  
- Anchor chain  Xxx (be specific)  Yyy (be specific)  
- Chain locker  Xxx Yyy 
- Rope guard  Xxx (if applicable)  Yyy (if applicable)  
- Rudder  Xxx 
e.g. This area is inspected at each dry docking and cleaned as found 
necessary.  Yyy (if applicable)  
e.g. Additional inspection as found necessary.  
- Bow/Stern thrusters  
- Propeller  
- Thruster body  
- Tunnel  Xxx (if applicable)  Yyy (if applicable)  
- Tunnel grates  Xxx (if applicable)  Yyy (if applicable)  
   
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  18 of 30 Areas particularly susceptible to 
biofouling  Management actions required for each area (e.g., inspections, 
cleaning, repairs and maintenance)  Management actions to be undertaken if ship 
operates outside its us ual operating profile  
Seawater intakes and internal seawater cooling systems:   
- Engine cooling system  Xxx 
e.g. Opened up at regular intervals to inspect growth, cleaned as 
found necessary.  Yyy 
- Sea chests (identify number and 
position)  Xxx (include details of each sea chest and its position ) Yyy (include details of each sea chest and its position ) 
- Sea chest grate  Xxx Yyy 
- Internal pipework and heat exchanger  Xxx Yyy 
- Fire-fighting system  Xxx Yyy 
- Ballast uptake system  Xxx Yyy 
- Auxiliary services system  Xxx Yyy 
   
   
   
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  19 of 30 6 Diagram  – Location of areas particularly susceptible to biofouling  
 
(insert a diagram that identifies the locations of areas, or use the below sketch to indicate such areas ) 
 
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  20 of 30 7 Operation and maintenance of the anti -fouling system  
The anti-fouling system(s) used for this vessel is outlined previously in this Plan. This section contains a 
description of the operation and maintenance of the anti -fouling system(s) used, including schedule(s) of 
activities and operational procedures.  
7.1 Timing  of operational and maintenance activities  
For this vessel, the schedule of planned inspections, repairs, maintenance and renewal of the anti -fouling 
system (s) are the following:  
Xxx 
Xxx 
 
7.2 In-water cleaning and maintenance procedures  
This section should set  out planned maintenance procedures (other than for on board treatment processes) 
that need to be completed between dry -docking events to minimize biofouling. This should include routine 
cleaning or other treatments. Details should be provided on the treat ment/cleaning to be conducted, the 
specification of any equipment required, details of the areas to which each specific treatment/cleaning is to be 
applied,  step -by-step operational procedures where relevant and any other details relevant to the processes  
(e.g., chemicals required for treatment, any discharge standards).  
Xxx 
Xxx 
 
7.3 Operation of onboard treatment processes  
This section should provide specific advice about  Marine Growth Prevention System (MGPS)  fitted, internal 
seawater cooling systems covered  by the system and any not covered, and the associated maintenance and 
inspection schedule and procedures. This would include information such as when each MGPS is run, for how 
long and any cleaning/maintenance requirements of the system once use is finish ed. This section should also 
include advice for ship operators on procedures for biofouling management if the MGPS is temporarily out of 
operation.  
Xxx 
Xxx 
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  21 of 30 8 Safety procedures for the ship and the crew  
This vessel’s safety procedures for the ship and the crew are following the manufacturer’s recommendation. 
In general , any work with the anti -fouling systems, inspections and cleaning processes should follow this 
vessel’s safety policy.  
Table 7.1 below is a summary of the anti -fouling system(s) present on-board, the risks they pose and simple 
instructions for the precautions to be taken when working, inspecting and cleaning the anti -fouling system(s).  
The safety procedures for the ship and the crew are detailed in the following document provided by the 
manufacturer of the anti -fouling system(s):  
<include reference to the section or page in the maker’s manual dealing with safety procedures>  
Table 7.1 Risks and precautions concerning the anti -fouling system(s)  
Type Applied / 
installed where  Manufacturer & 
product name  System specification  Associated 
risks Precautions 
to be made  
      
      
      
 
9 Disposal of biological waste  
If the crew of this vessel is cleaning the vessel from biofouling, the biological waste is taken care of and 
disposed in accordance  with the local requirements that apply.  
10 Recording requirements  
This vessel is maintain ing a Record Book for  the details of all inspections and biofouling management 
measures undertaken on the ship. The recordings include the following:  
1) Biofouling manageme nt measures undertaken a fter each dry -docking   
2) When the hull area, fittings, niches and voids below the waterline have been inspected by divers.  
3) When the hull area, fittings, niches and voids below the waterline have been cleaned by divers.  
4) When the intern al seawater cooling systems have been inspected and cleaned or treated.  
5) Maintenance and repairs of the MGPS.  
6) Periods of time when the ship was laid up/inactive for an extended period of time.  
7) Periods of time when the ship was operating outside its normal o perating profile.  
8) Details of official inspection or review of the ship’s biofouling risk.  
9) Any additional observations and general remarks.  
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  22 of 30 11 Crew training and familiarisation  
For this vessel appropriate training is given in the application of biofouling ma nagement and treatment 
procedures, based upon the information contained in this Plan. Training and familiarisation include the 
following:  
 Maintenance of the Record Book.  
 Impacts of invasive aquatic species from ships' biofouling.  
 Benefits to the ship of ma naging biofouling and the threats posed by not applying management 
procedures  
 Biofouling management measures and associated safety procedures.  
 Relevant health and safety issues.  
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  23 of 30 Record Book – biofouling management actions  
This page is a sample of this ves sel’s Record Book for biofouling management actions. The page is used for 
recording details of all inspections and biofouling management measures undertaken on the ship. The records 
are kept in the vessel’s deck office in a ringbinder marked Record Book – Biofouling.  
The following activities are applicable for recording : 
1) After each dry -docking  to document hull cleaning and maintenance . 
2) When the hull area, fittings, niches and voids below the waterline have been inspected by divers.  
3) When the hull area, fittings, niches and voids below the waterline have been cleaned by divers.  
4) When the internal seawater cooling systems have been inspected and cleaned or treated.  
5) Maintenance and repairs of the MGPS.  
6) Periods of time when the ship was laid up/inactive for a n extended period of time.  
7) Periods of time when the ship was operating outside its normal operating profile.  
8) Details of official inspection or review of the ship’s biofouling risk.  
9) Any additional observations and general remarks.  
Name of ship:    
 
IMO num ber:    
 
Date Item 
(number)  Record of management actions  Signature of 
officers in charge  
    
    
    
 
 
 
Signature of Master:   ................................ ................................ .................   Guidance Document :  Guidance Document for the Craft Risk Management Standard - Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  24 of 30 Appendix 2    Description and illustrative examples of the 
biofouling allowances in Tables 1 and 2 of the CRMS  (to be 
applied after CRMS comes into force in 2018)  
 
1 Explanation  
From the MAFBNZ commissioned research on vessel biofouling, it was demonstrated that , as the amount and 
coverage of biofouling on a vessel increases, the number of non -indigenous species pre sent also increases 
(Inglis et al. 2008 9). 
Both slime and goose barnacles are allowed for all vessel types under the thresholds used in the definition of 
‘clean hull’. Even when cleaned immediately prior to leaving last destination before arrival in New Ze aland, 
vessel hulls will accumulate a slime layer.  Goose barnacles are ubiquitous oceanic organisms.     
For short -stay vessels a further allowance is included due to the lower likelihood of introductions from vessels 
staying for a short time.  The allowa nce is restricted to early stage biofouling to minimise the introduction of 
non-indigenous species.  
Barnacles, bryozoans or tubeworms are usually the first organisms to colonise a hull following the formation of 
a slime layer. Therefore, early stage biofou ling tends to be made up of one of these species. The short -stay 
threshold allows 1% cover of one of these species (or species that appear to be the same) on the hull area, 
occurring as isolated individuals or small clusters.   
On the niche areas a slightl y higher threshold is allowed due to the greater susceptibility of these areas to 
biofouling. For these areas the short -stay threshold is increased to 5% cover of one species (or species that 
appear to be the same) plus 1% cover of a second species.  The 5 % cover may occur as either widely spaced 
individuals or infrequent patchy clusters.  
Algae may also be present as early stage biofouling. The amount of coverage for algae on the wind and water 
line area is unrestricted, however, on the hull and niche areas  algal coverage is restricted to continuous 
patches no more than 50  mm in width. Brown and red algae less than 4 mm in length are allowed on all areas. 
Green algae less than 4 mm in length are allowed on hull areas and niche areas, however, for the wind an d 
water line area, green algae up to 50  mm strand length  are allowed.  
Overgrowth of the early stage biofouling by algae is an indication that the biofouling is more established than 
‘early -stage’.  Therefore, no algal overgrowth is permitted on hull areas  or niche areas.  
  
                                                             
9 Inglis, G; Ponder -Sutton, A; Unwin, M; Floerl, O (2008) Vessel biofouling as a vector for the introduction of 
non-indigenous marine species to New Zealand: Management Tools . Final report for MAF Biosecurity  New 
Zealand Research Project  Guidance Document :  Guidance Document for the Craft Risk Management Standard - Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  25 of 30 2 Illustrations  
 
Example of 1% single species biofouling – isolated individuals on hull area  
 
 
 
 
Example of 1% single species biofouling – small clusters on hull area  
 
 
 
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  26 of 30  
Example of 5% single species – widely spaced individuals in niche areas  
 
 
 
 
Example of 5% species – infrequent, patchy clusters in niche areas  
 
 
 
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  27 of 30 Illustration s of biofouling above thresholds for niches – These would fail inspection  
 
 
 
 
 
  
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  28 of 30 Example  of biofouling above thresholds for niches  – barnacles cover exceeds 5% through the area. Also there is 
a patchy 1% cover of algal turf also and 1% cover of bryozoans.  This would fail inspection . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  29 of 30 Example  of biofouling above thresholds for niches  – barnacles cover exceeds 5% cover through the area.  Also  
there is a 1% presence of individual tubeworms.  This would fail inspection  
 
 
  
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  30 of 30 Appendix 3    Template for a Craft Risk Management Plan  
To be developed