Exemption 2—Marine Safety (Certificates of survey)
All domestic commercial vessels are required to have a certificate of survey unless exempt.
What this exemption will allow you to do
Exemption 02 exempts certain kinds of vessels from the requirement to have a certificate of survey, provided vessels comply with the conditions set out in Schedule 1 of this exemption.
Eligible vessels include some types of:
- tenders (including auxiliaries)
- vessels operating in sheltered waters (less than 12 metres long)
- sailing vessels
- human powered vessels
- personal watercraft
- volunteer marine rescue vessels
- fire service vessels
- vessels that weren’t required to have a certificate of survey on 30 June 2013
You do not need approval for this exemption if your vessel is:
- a human powered vessel mentioned in item 2.3 of Schedule 1
- a sailing vessel mentioned in item 2.4 of Schedule 1
- a personal watercraft (PWC)—whether or not the PWC has an aerial freestyle device attached
- an existing (grandfathered) vessel not required to have a certificate of survey on 30 June 2013.
You will need approval from us to use this exemption for all other vessels mentioned in Schedule 1.
You must:
- apply to us for an exemption approval using Application for non-survey vessel (AMSA 579)
- submit your application with the prescribed fee and
- once approved, notify us of any changes relevant to the approval such as:
- transfer of ownership
- change of name and address of the owner
- any alterations to the vessel or changes to the vessel’s operation that may invalidate the vessel’s approval or ability to operate under this exemption.
Exemption for heritage vessels
A heritage vessel must have a certificate of survey unless it is an existing vessel that was not required to have a certificate of survey on 30 June 2013. This exemption may allow a heritage vessel to be exempt from some requirements mentioned in Marine Order 503 (Certificates of survey – national law) including:
- survey inspection standards mentioned in section 5
- vessel and equipment standards mentioned in sections 7 and 8
- criteria for issue of a certificate mentioned in subsection 9(1)
- standards that apply to the vessel in the National Standard for Commercial Vessel mentioned in paragraphs 9(2)(a)
- conditions on certificates mentioned 11(1)(a) and 11(1)(f).
Approvals are subject to the following conditions:
- you provide us with a vessel management plan
- you maintain and operate your vessel in accordance with the vessel management plan
- any changes made relating to your vessel management plan must be approved by us.
Legislation and incorporated material
- Exemption 06—Marine Safety (Periodic survey, equipment certification and compass adjustment) exemption
- Exemption 07—Marine Safety (Temporary operations) exemption
- Exemption 24—Marine Safety (Emergency services vessels) exemption
- Exemption 29—Marine Safety (Recording activities) exemption
- Exemption 39—Marine Safety (Life jacket lights) exemption
- Exemption 40—Marine Safety (Class C restricted operations) exemption
- Exemption 41—Marine Safety (Unpowered barges) exemption
- Marine Order 503 (Certificates of survey—national law)
- National Standard for Commercial Vessels
Related information
- Application for non-survey vessel (AMSA 579)
- Certificates of survey
- Fees, levies, and payments
- Miscellaneous form (AMSA 758)
- Non-survey vessel approval or exemption
- Marine Surveyors Manual Parts 1 and 2
- Survey standards for domestic commercial vessels in-survey
- Tenders and auxiliary vessels
Superseded
- Exemption 02—In force 1 January 2019 (PDF 357.84 KB)
- Exemption 02—In force 1 July 2018 (PDF 358.08 KB)
- Exemption 02—In force 1 January 2018 (PDF 352.12 KB)
- Exemption 02—In force 1 July 2017 (PDF 320.43 KB)
- Exemption 02—In force 1 July 2016 (PDF 256.47 KB)
- Exemption 02—In force 27 February 2015 (PDF 52.58 KB)
- Exemption 02—In force 1 July 2013 (compilation) (PDF 47.72 KB)
- Exemption 02—In force 1 July 2013 (PDF 45.11 KB)
