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 2018
• Exemption 02—In force 1 July 2017
• Exemption 02—In force 27 February 2015
• Exemption 02—In force 1 July 2013 (compilation)
• Exemption 02—In force 1 July 2013