From 1 February 2017 vessel owners will need to engage an AMSA accredited marine surveyor of their choice to undertake all survey activities under the National System.  Accredited marine surveyors are listed on the AMSA website. The accredited marine surveyor will submit the required paperwork to MAST for processing.

The survey process using AMSA marine surveyors is shown in the attached flowchart

Survey process with AMSA Accredited Private Surveyors

Initial Survey is the process of design approval, inspection during construction of a vessel, stability approval and operational trials that leads to the issue of a Certificate of Survey.

In general, initial survey is required for new vessels and for vessels undergoing change of class or requiring significant modification.

For more information on what type of vessels require initial survey and how to apply, visit the AMSA website – Certificates of Survey

A Certificate of Survey provides the evidence that a vessel has been surveyed and meets specified standards for construction, stability and safety equipment.

Certificates of Survey and operation are required for all vessels in Scheme S of the National System.

For  information on periodic survey and how to apply, visit the AMSA website – Certificates of Survey

Commercial Leisure Craft are vessels that permit members of the public to enjoy boating without having to own a boat.

Prior to commencement of the national system, MAST applied a regulatory system of licensing commercial leisure craft operators. The licence ensured that an operator developed a Safety Management Plan to be certain that the safety of the customer is considered before and whilst they are on the water, and that the vessels used in the operation are approved for use in a commercial activity.

Under the National system, existing licensed operators are deemed to have a certificate of operation until expiry of the licence or a certificate of survey or registration of a vessel within their fleet.

When that occurs, an application must be made for a national system certificate of operation which will replace the existing leisure craft licence.

Safety management, certificates of operation and information on how to apply can be accessed via the  AMSA website – Certificates of Operation

The NSCV is the standard prescribed in the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012.

The NSCV was developed as an upgrade and amendment to the Uniform Shipping Law Code (USL Code).

The USL Code is the standard applying to many existing commercial vessels and will continue to apply to those vessels unless a vessel is significantly modified.

National Standard for Administration of Marine Safety (NSAMS)

The NSAMS is the standard for the conduct of survey, the auditing and approval of RTOs and in future, the auditing of operations.

The NSCV, USL or NSAMS can be accessed on the AMSA website – Domestic Standards

Compass Adjusters (6)

Radio Surveyors

Red Earth NDT

13-15 Clyde Street

Wingfield  SA  5013

Phone:  (08) 8268 1009

Fax:        (08) 8268 6009

Mobile: 0448 151 442

Email:  jeremy.stewart@redearthndt.com.au

Leigh Kean

Leigh Kean Rigging Services

Phone: 0407 323 981

Fax: (03) 6267 2406

Email: leighkeaninpsections@dodo.com.au

Under the National System, certain vessels may be exempt from initial and/or periodic survey.

Although exempt from survey, the national system requires that non-survey vessels are to be designed, constructed and equipped in accordance with the NSCV Part G.

More information on the types of survey exempt vessels and how to apply can be accessed via the AMSA website.

Prior to commencement of the national system on 1 July 2013, in accordance with pre-existing Tasmanian Legislation, MAST applied a regulatory system of:

• commercial registration with three year auditing cycles
  and
• survey with two year survey cycles

This approach applied for certain vessel types.

Under the National system, for those vessels that do not change their existing operation or apply for a different survey scheme, the auditing and/or survey cycles applying prior to the national system will continue.

The national system defines the use of both tender and auxiliary vessels as follows.

A tender vessel:

• May be used to transport goods or people between the shore and its parent vessel or between its parent vessel and another vessel; or
• Does not move more than 1 nautical mile from its parent vessel (or another distance determined by the National Regulator).

An auxiliary vessel:

• Does not move further than 5 nautical miles from its parent vessel if it does not carry passengers;
• Does not move further than 2 nautical miles from its parent vessel if it does carry passengers;.
• Is less than 7.5 metres in length (or another length determined by the National Regulator);
• Carries up to 12 passengers (or another number determined by the National Regulator);
• Is not powered by a petrol inboard engine.

Pre-existing Tasmanian legislation applied to the design standard and operation of auxiliary vessels.

One or more auxiliary vessels may already be recorded with your operation. If your operation will continue to involve use of tender and/or auxiliary vessels from a parent vessel, the national system requires these to be recorded on an application for a certificate of operation.

More information on tender and auxiliary vessels can be accessed via the AMSA website.

Tender or Auxiliary application form

Domestic Commercial Vessels are required to have a Unique Identifier.

The registration number or distinguishing mark that is currently marked on an existing vessel will be the National System Unique Identifier.

The Unique Identifier stays with the vessel over its life, even if the vessel changes ownership.

More information on vessel identification can be accessed via the AMSA website – Certificates of Survey