Tender, dory and auxiliary vessels

Tenders are small vessels used to transport people or goods between a vessel and the shore, or for a purpose associated with a parent vessel. They are also sometimes known as auxiliaries or dories.

The national law applies to vessels used for a commercial purpose, including tenders. There are special arrangements for vessels which meet the definition of ‘tender’ under the national law.  

Is it a tender?

To determine if the vessel is a tender under the national law, the vessel must:

1. Be used to transport goods or up to 12 people, or for a purpose associated with the parent vessel’s operation.
2. Operate in line of sight of its parent vessel, or another distance approved in writing by AMSA, or in a marina or mooring area.
3. Measure less than 7.5 metres or another length approved in writing by AMSA.
4. Measure less than its parent vessel.
5. Not be powered by an inboard petrol engine.

How do I apply for my tender to operate outside line of sight or be greater than 7.5m long?

Complete and submit AMSA form 547 with the following information:

• tender vessel name and unique identifier
• parent vessel(s) vessel name(s) and unique identifier(s)
• details of the proposed operation and geographical area(s)

For applications to operate outside line of sight, please also provide:

• details of how you will mitigate the risks of operating outside line of sight of the parent vessel
• how communication will be maintained with the parent vessel

For applications to operate a tender greater than 7.5 m long, please also provide:

• reasons for using wanting to use a tender greater than 7.5m long
• confirmation that the tender will not be longer than the proposed parent vessel

Special arrangements for tenders

Different arrangements apply depending on whether the tender entered the national system before or after 1 July 2013.

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Marina tenders

Tenders operating in a marina or mooring area that are not connected to a parent vessel (sometimes known as an ‘auxiliaries’), are mostly subject to the same requirements as other tenders. However, these tenders must be covered by a certificate of operation unless they are otherwise eligible for a certificate of operation exemption under another part of Exemption 3.  

For example they may be exempt if they are:

• class 2 and 3 vessels less than 7.5 metres in length, operate only in sheltered waters and do not carry passengers, or
• human powered.

As these tenders are not connected to a parent vessel, they must have their own safety management system.

Crewing and certificate of competency—low complexity duties

Tenders need to be crewed by persons who are eligible for a Coxswain Grade 3 certificate of competency. 

A Coxswain grade 3 certificate of competency will let you operate within a marina or mooring area, or as a tender within a certain distance of the parent vessel. 

If you are eligible for Coxswain grade 3 certificate of competency you do not need to apply for the certificate, but you will need to have all of the required documents with you while operating a tender.

Read more about the Coxswain grade 3 certificate.