Heritage vessels are required to have a certificate of survey, however under Exemption 2—Marine Safety (Certificates of survey) we can approve their exemption from some or all of the standards and survey regime that would otherwise apply, subject to conditions.
Am I eligible?
Your vessel must:
- be owned and operated by a not-for-profit organisation
- be listed on the Australian Register of Historic Vessels
- have a vessel management plan.
The vessel management plan must be certified by an accredited marine surveyor with heritage vessel experience, knowledge and skills, and must include:
- the history of the vessel and its significance
- the standards to which the vessel was built (if any)
- the proposed use and operating profile of the vessel
- a detailed evaluation, based on a report by an accredited marine surveyor, of the vessel’s current condition and fitness for purpose for its proposed use and proposed operating profile as set out in the safety management system
- the repair and maintenance schedule for the vessel
- how any non-compliance of the vessel with the National Standard for Commercial Vessels is to be managed
- survey and inspection arrangements that will apply to the vessel.
The vessel management plan can only be changed with approval from us.
What are my ongoing responsibilities?
You must make sure your vessel continues to:
- meet the eligibility requirements
- comply with the vessel management plan.
You must apply to us if you wish to change anything in the vessel management plan.
This exemption only relates to some requirements associated with a certificate of survey. You still need to comply with all other requirements that apply to domestic commercial vessels, unless you are exempt, including the requirement to:
How do I apply?
You can identify your vessel as a heritage vessel when you put in an Application for a certificate of survey for a domestic commercial vessel form 521. Attach the vessel management plan and any other supporting documentation.
To change something about your vessel management plan, you must seek approval from the national regulator.