AMSA notifies changes in its certification and accreditation services from 2017

AMSA has issued new edition of its publication ‘ Working Boats’ including information regarding changes in its certification and accreditation services.

Currently, even though AMSA is responsible for regulating domestic commercial vessels (DCVs) across Australia, the way you get your services — such as certificates and vessel IDs, undertaking surveys and the fees associated with these services — is not the same around the country. Those services are currently delivered by each state and territory, which sets its own procedures and fees for these services.

From 1 July 2017, not only will the rules and standards for DCVs be consistent across Australia, but the way you receive services (and the fees for those services) will also be the same across Australia, regardless of where you operate.

Certificate of Competency (CoC) — All crew will still need to have the appropriate skills, competencies and other additional requirements, depending on the CoC they seek. These additional requirements may include a qualification; qualifying sea service and workplace experience (guided by task books); and medical and eyesight fitness standards.
You can undertake nationally recognised training at Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).

Certificate of Survey (CoS) — If your vessel is a new vessel and requires a CoS, it will require an initial survey before it is able to start operating commercially. This will need to be done by an AMSA-accredited marine surveyor, who will then provide a survey report to AMSA advising whether a CoS should or should not be issued. If they are not satisfied that your vessel complies with the relevant regulations and vessel standards, they will let you know what you need to do to the vessel to meet these requirements and you will need to have the vessel assessed again by an accredited surveyor once the prescribed work has been carried out. If your vessel does not require a CoS, you may still need to have your vessel assessed and approved before operating commercially.

Periodic survey — Your vessel may need a periodic survey or inspection to make sure it is fit for purpose. AMSA will let you know when you need to have your vessel surveyed or inspected. When this happens you will need to contact an accredited marine surveyor to carry out the inspection.

Unique vessel identifiers — If your vessel is new, you will need to get a unique vessel identifier (UVI) when your vessel is approved to operate commercially. If your vessel doesn’t have a UVI, you can either make a separate application, or a UVI will be issued the first time you obtain a certificate or other approval from AMSA.

Marine surveyors must be accredited under the Marine Surveyor Accreditation Scheme — Although marine surveyors will be working privately under the National System, they must be accredited under AMSA’s Marine Surveyor Accreditation Scheme in order to survey vessels and provide survey reports to AMSA.Marine surveyors must be accredited under the Marine Surveyor Accreditation Scheme — Although marine surveyors will be working privately under the National System, they must be accredited under AMSA’s Marine Surveyor Accreditation Scheme in order to survey vessels and provide survey reports to AMSA.

Certificate of Operation (CoO) — AMSA will be responsible for issuing CoOs. To apply for a CoO, you will need to complete an application form along with providing any required information about your operation. AMSA will need to be satisfied by your application that you have the competence and capacity to ensure the safe operation of the vessels. This includes the need to show evidence of an SMS for the vessels. AMSA will not issue you with a CoO if it is not satisfied that you are a fit and proper person. CoO holders must meet specific conditions and standards that apply through their CoO.

See for further details: AMSA-Working-Boats-Autumn-2016-Issue-9-2016_07

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