Connecting to electricity in a marina
Information for New Zealand Boat Owners about Safety and Rules
Paperwork
Before you plug in, your boat’s electrical system must have an Electrical Warrant of Fitness
Electrical Warrant of Fitness (EWoF)
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Any pleasure vessel that is designed or intended to be connected to shore power must have a Warrant of Electrical Fitness (WoEF), commonly called an Electrical Warrant of Fitness (EWoF).
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By law, a marina cannot supply shore power to a pleasure vessel unless it has a current WoEF.
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A WoEF for a pleasure vessel is normally valid for four years from the date of issue.
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Some marinas accept recognised survey, class or flag state electrical certificates that show an equal or higher level of safety in place of a New Zealand WoEF for commercial or larger foreign-flagged vessels.
Simple rule: No current WoEF or recognised equivalent; no shore power connection.
You are responsible for keeping your boat safe between WoEF inspections, just like a vehicle warrant.
Leads
Your shore power lead and portable gear live in a harsh, salty environment. Ensure you look after them and your boat's safety.
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Ensure you use the correct plug type with a locking ring. (see photo below)
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Uncoil and check your lead before each use. If there are cuts, kinks, crushing, burn marks or damaged plugs, do not use it.
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When you connect; switch the outlet off, plug into the boat inlet first, then into the marina outlet, and route the lead so it does not create trip hazards, is not pinched, has enough slack and will not sit in water.
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Most outlets are protected by an RCD that should trip when you press the test button and then reset. If it does not, disconnect and tell the marina office; do not keep using that outlet.
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When you leave the berth, switch the outlet off, unplug from the marina outlet first, then from your boat, and store the lead on board.
Tag and test every twelve months
NZMOA recommends that shore power leads, extension leads, portable distribution boxes and portable residual current devices (RCDs) are tested and tagged at least every 12 months, in line with the in-service testing Standard, and that marinas adopt this 12-month test and tag as a mandatory site policy.
Non-standard plugs
Boats on permanent berths should have:
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a compliant fixed shore inlet that matches the marina outlet, and
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correctly rated, heavy-duty lead.² ⁴
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Where adaptor leads are used (for non-standard plugs or ratings), any overcurrent protection should be sized for the lowest rated plug, socket or cable in the chain, in line with the relevant electrical Standard.² ⁴ ⁵
Temporary leads and portable distribution boxes
Some setups are fine for a short job; others end up being semi-permanent and unsafe.
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Extension leads and portable distribution boxes are for short-term use only.
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They should only be used when a competent adult is in attendance.⁵
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They should be protected by appropriate devices, use a single continuous lead, and be tested and tagged every 12 months.³ ⁵
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These should never be used to effectively power the boat full-time. If they are, it is time to move to a proper inlet and lead.
Examples
The role of marinas and their staff
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When you are in a marina, you are effectively a guest on their site. You must follow their requirements so they can manage risk, meet their legal duties and apply standards and best practices across all boats using the facility.
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Marina staff are not electricians or inspectors. They can't certify that your boat complies with Standards but they can act on obvious hazards and on marina rules: disconnecting unsafe leads, adaptors or charging arrangements, and asking for current WoEF or gas documentation.
Marinas base these rules on the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2025 and relevant electrical and gas Standards. Our sources are:
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Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2025.
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AS/NZS 3004.2:2014.
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AS/NZS 3760:2022.
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AS/NZS 3004.1:2014.
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Draft AS/NZS 3004.1:2025 and New Zealand Marina Operators Association (NZMOA) submission.
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Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations 2010 and AS/NZS 5601.2:2013.