Marine Safety
Commercial vessels
Survey requirements
All commercial vessels operating within Northern Territory waters are required to comply with survey and safety manning requirements under the Northern Territory Marine Act and Regulations.
Vessels are required to hold a valid Certificate of Survey (Northern Territory Marine Act Section 79). Certificates of Survey issued by other Marine Authorities may be accepted for operations within Northern Territory Waters, however the following are required before reciprocal recognition can be given:
- Provision of a valid Certificate of Survey
- Completion of an Application for Survey
- Payment of a fee.
Note: Certificates of Survey that have exemptions, conditions and/or restricted areas of operation may not be acceptable for operations in the Northern Territory. The due dates for annual, hull, shaft and radio surveys should be shown on the certificate together with dates of next compass adjustment and life raft service.
Some Application Forms and Guidance Notes can be found at Publications.
For survey requirements contact the Marine Safety Branch.
Safety manning
Fishing Vessels - are required to be manned in accordance with Section 3 of the Uniform Shipping Laws (USL) Code.
Trading Vessels - owners must to apply to the Marine Safety Branch for a Determination of the Safety Manning level for the vessels operating in Northern Territory Waters.
Marine qualifications
Persons in charge of either the navigational watch or the machinery, or of both functions, on a commercial vessel are required by the NT Marine Act to hold appropriate Certificates of Competency.
The certificates required can either be issued by the NT Marine Authority or if issued by another Authority may be recognised as an equivalent.
All unrestricted certificates are issued in accordance with the Uniform Shipping (USL) Laws Code.
Persons holding a Certificate of Competency issued outside the Northern Territory should consult the Marine Safety Branch to ascertain the Northern Territory equivalent and are required to apply for Northern Territory recognition.
Vessels of less than 5 metres in length, carrying not more than 4 persons, including crew and operating in designated 'sheltered waters' and inland waters are exempt from the above requirement.
Penalties exist under the Marine Act for failure to comply with the requirement to hold the requisite Certificate of Competency.
Some Application Forms and Guidance Notes can be found at Publications.
For further information contact the Marine Safety Branch.