Maritime Cook Island issued a maritime circular 319 advicing all Cook Islands–registered vessels that the Cook Islands Ministry of Transport, together with associated maritime agencies – including Maritime Cook Islands in its capacity as the Flag State Administration and Ship Registry – will undergo an IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) audit from 29 September to 6 October 2025.
Potential Service Delays
In preparation for and during the audit, Maritime Cook Islands’ Seafarer Department and Regulatory Technical and Operations Department teams will need to dedicate significant time and resources to audit-related activities. As a result:
- From 1 September to 15 October 2025, there may be delays in processing Seafarer, Survey and Certification requests.
- The teams will continue to prioritise urgent cases; however, routine service times may be longer than usual.
Recommended Actions for Vessel Operators
To minimise any potential impact on your operations, we strongly recommend:
- Submitting service requests as early as possible within the affected period.
- Ensuring that documentation is complete and accurate at the time of submission.
- Allowing extra lead time for responses to enquiries and processing of certificates.
Commitment to Service
Maritime Cook Islands remains committed to meeting your service needs and will make every effort to minimise disruption. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this important compliance process, which ultimately benefits the safety, security, and environmental performance of the Cook Islands fleet.