Domestic commercial vessels must have and display a unique identifier unless they are exempt.
A unique identifier is a number that stays with the vessel for its entire life, even if the vessel changes ownership. Unique identifiers help to identify domestic commercial vessels.
A vessel may need to be identified:
- For search and rescue purposes.
- If it has been lost or stolen.
- If it is being operated dangerously or illegally.
- If it is being surveyed.
Some vessels are exempt from the requirement to have a unique identifier, or from displaying it or both.
Different vessels and their unique identifier requirements
Definitions
*A human powered vessel is:
- Propelled only by human powered devices.
- A canoe or kayak that is propelled by human powered devices and is fitted with:
- An auxiliary motor of ≤3.5 kW propulsion power, or
- An auxiliary electric propulsion motor of ≤24 volts and a total battery capacity of ≤20 kWh.
^A sailing vessel is a vessel designed for and capable of undertaking a voyage propelled by sail alone, and has:
- No auxiliary motor, or
- An auxiliary motor of ≤3.5 kW propulsion power, or
- An auxiliary electric propulsion motor of ≤24 volts and a total battery capacity of ≤20 kWh.
