Maritime Declaration of Health
All vessels arriving in New Zealand must report to health authorities about the health conditions on board during the voyage and the health status of passengers and crew.
A Maritime Declaration of Health is the form used to provide such information. It covers:
- Details of the ship
- Status of any Ship Sanitation Certification
- Number of passengers
- Previous ports visited
-
Health questions, including whether:
- Anyone has died on board
- Anyone is sick
- There is any case of disease which could be infectious
- There is any condition that could lead to the spread of disease.
This information ensures compliance with Article 37 of the International Health Regulations 2005.
A Maritime Declaration of Health must be completed by the Master of the vessel and countersigned by the ship’s surgeon if one is carried. It should be delivered to the Medical Officer of Health or a health protection officer after. In practice, completed Maritime Declarations of Health are sent to the vessel’s agent for forwarding to health authorities, or given to a Customs or MAF agent to forward.
Any illness reported on the Maritime Declaration of Health should have been declared on the Advance Notice of Arrival or the ‘no change of health status’ form. Where an illness is reported, the Maritime Declaration of Health should be handed directly to a health protection officer or medical officer of health upon arrival, unless authorities advise otherwise.
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Page last updated: 05 December 2011
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