Changing from exemption 38
If you are applying for a Coxswain grade 3 after holding an exemption 38, you must apply for a "new certificate", not a "renewal".
This certificate will allow you to:
- Command and operate the engines of a vessel less than 12 metres long with outboard engine propulsion less than 250 kW, or inboard engines less than 100 kilowatts
- Carrying no more than 6 persons including crew and master
- In daylight hours only, if carrying passengers
- Operating within the following:
- A marina
- A mooring area in sight and communication of a marina
- Inland waters
- Smooth waters
- Within 1 nautical mile of shore
- Inside or within 1 nautical mile of an aquaculture lease or in waters approved for daily transit to and from an aquaculture lease
- Command and operate the engines of a tender less than 12 metres long with outboard engine propulsion less than 250 kW, or inboard engines less than 100 kilowatts
- In daylight hours only, if carrying passengers
- Operating within either:
- If you have completed the Maritime Training Package units: 3 nautical miles of a parent vessel within the exclusive economic zone and in line of sight of the parent vessel; or
- If you hold a recreational boat licence, RYA Powerboat level 2 course or Australian Sailing Powerboat Handling course: 1 nautical mile of a parent vessel within the exclusive economic zone and in line of sight of the parent vessel
This certificate will also allow you to:
- Command and operate the engines of a vessel less than 12 metres long with propulsion power for inboard or outboard engine of up to 500 kW
- That is used only for towing people
- In daylight hours only
- In waters approved as a water ski area by a State or Territory authority.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Coxswain grade 3 near coastal certificate you must:
- Be at least 16 years old on the certificate issue date
- Be able to speak and understand English, including written documents
- Be medically fit for the duties, including eyesight
- Gain any needed sea service
- Complete any needed on-water practical tasks
- Hold a recreational boat licence, issued by a State or Territory, or complete a training option listed under ‘new certificate’
For more information, select what you need to apply for below.
Coxswain grade 3 near coastal is a domestic certificate of competency issued under Marine Order 505 (Certificates of competency — national law) 2022.
Important disclaimer
These instructions are summary information only. We make decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 505 (Certificates of competency — national law) 2022. This document has full details of the eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications.
What do you need to apply for?
New certificate
What do I need to do?
To obtain this certificate you will need to:
- Meet medical and eyesight requirements
Download the:
1. Certificate of medical fitness for a near coastal certificate
The Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers form 1850 lets us know that you are medically fit for working at sea.
If you are colour blind, you will be restricted to working in daylight hours only.
2. Guidelines for the medical assessment of near coastal seafarers
Provide a medical practitioner with the Guidelines for the medical assessment of near coastal seafarers and have them fill out the Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers form 1850.
If you have a current AMSA medical (Certificate of medical fitness form 303) you can use this instead.
You must submit your completed medical form with your Certificate of competency application form 426.
- Complete a training course
Applying using a recreational boat licence
If you hold a recreational boat licence, issued by a State or Territory, you do not need to complete any additional training.
Applying using other training
You can complete any one of the following:
- Australian Sailing Powerboat Handling course
- RYA Level 2 Powerboat course
- The following units from the MAR Maritime Training Package at a registered training organisation:
- MARI003 Comply with regulations to ensure safe operation of a vessel up to 12 metres
- MARK007 Handle a vessel up to 12 metres
- MARN008 Apply seamanship skills aboard a vessel up to 12 metres
If you have previously completed Exemption 38 training and assessment you will need to submit your final practical record of assessment.
You will need to submit your course completion certificate or statement of attainment with your Certificate of competency application form 426.
- Provide evidence of sea service
Applying using a recreational boat licence
If you are applying using a recreational boat licence, issued by a State or Territory, you will need:
- One day of qualifying sea service on a commercial vessel
- A Coxswain grade 3 NC Declaration form AMSA 1882 to show you have completed the practical on water tasks.
You need to submit at least one of the following as proof of qualifying sea service:
- Record of sea service form 771
- the on board sea service record from your task book
- a letter from the vessel operator, owner, master or chief engineer detailing your sea service
- an approved sea service log book.
Applying using other training
You do not need to submit sea service if you are applying using any of the following:
- Australian Sailing Powerboat Handling course
- RYA Level 2 Powerboat course
- Completion of Exemption 38 training and assessment
- All the following units from the MAR Maritime Training Package:
- MARI003 Comply with regulations to ensure safe operation of a vessel up to 12 metres
- MARK007 Handle a vessel up to 12 metres
- MARN008 Apply seamanship skills aboard a vessel up to 12 metres
Read more about qualifying sea service.
- Meet additional requirements
You must also hold a:
- valid HLTAID011 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent.
If you do not hold these certificates, contact a registered training organisation.
- Complete and submit a Certificate of competency application
To apply, complete and submit the Certificate of competency application form 426.
Read more about completing and submitting your application for a domestic certificate.
Renewal of Certificate
A Coxswain grade 3 near coastal certificate of competency is generally valid for five years. To keep working using your certificate you need to renew it every five years.
What do I need to do?
To renew your certificate you will need to:
- Meet medical and eyesight requirements
You must complete a declaration of medical fitness on the Certificate of competency application form 426. This lets us know that you are still medically fit, and that your eyesight meets the necessary standard, to work at sea.
- Provide evidence of sea service
You do not need sea service to renew a Coxswain grade 3 near coastal certificate of competency.
If you currently hold an exemption 38, you must apply for a "new certificate", not a "renewal".
- Provide existing certificate
You must submit a copy of your:
- existing Coxswain grade 3 (front and back)
- valid HLTAID011 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent.
- Complete and submit a Certificate of competency application
To apply, complete and submit the Certificate of competency application form 426.
Read more about completing and submitting your application for a domestic certificate.
Endorsements and restrictions
You may apply for the following endorsements to your certificate:
- Endorsement to command and operate the engines of a vehicular ferry-in-chains attached to the shore by a cable
Endorsement to command and operate the engines of a vehicular ferry-in-chains attached to the shore by a cable
What do I need to do?
If you want to get this endorsement at the same time as your certificate, you can add this on your application form for a new certificate. You will need to include the sea service laid out below with your application.
If you are adding this endorsement to a current certificate you will need to:
- 1. Meet medical and eyesight requirements
You must complete a declaration of medical fitness on the Certificate of competency application form 426 This lets us know that you are medically fit and that your eyesight meets the necessary standard, to work at sea.
- 2. Provide evidence of sea service
You need to show you have experience working in a deck, or deck and engineering, capacity on a ferry in chains. You must have completed:
- 20 days sea service on a ferry in chains
You need to submit at least one of the following as proof of qualifying sea service:
- Record of sea service form 771
- the on board sea service record from your task book
- a letter from the vessel operator, owner, master or chief engineer detailing your sea service
- an approved sea service log book.
Read more about qualifying sea service.
- 3. Provide existing certificates
You must submit a copy of your:
- existing Coxswain grade 3 (front and back)
- valid HLTAID011 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent.
- 4. Complete and submit a Certificate of competency application
To apply, complete and submit the Certificate of competency application form 426.
Read more about completing and submitting your application for a domestic certificate.
Daylight hours only restriction
If you have this restriction on your certificate you may apply to have the restriction removed.
What do I need to do?
To remove this restriction, you will need to:
- 1. Meet medical and eyesight requirements
Download the:
1. Certificate of medical fitness for a near coastal certificate
The Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers form 1850 lets us know that you are medically fit for working at sea and includes the eyesight requirements to let us know you are not colour blind.
If you are colour blind, we will not be able to remove your daylight hours restriction.
2. Standards for the medical assessment of domestic seafarers
Provide a medical practitioner with the Standards for the medical assessment of domestic seafarers and have them complete the Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers form 1850.
If you do not meet the colour vision requirements of the eyesight test you must also get the practitioner to provide a certificate or statement stating that you do not suffer any greater abnormality in colour vision than could be tested by the Ishihara Test.
If you have a current AMSA medical (Certificate of medical fitness form 303) you can use this instead.
You must submit your completed medical forms with your Certificate of competency application form 426.
- 2. Provide existing certificates
You must submit a copy of your:
- existing Coxswain grade 3 (front and back)
- valid HLTAID011 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent.
- 3. Complete and submit a certificate of competency application
To apply, complete and submit the Certificate of competency application form 426.
Read more about completing and submitting your application for a domestic certificate.