How To Register Your Boat as a Domestic Commercial Vessel

To see how to register your boat as a Domestic Commercial Vessel and start earning money on MatesBoat™ ..read on!

Why Get Your Boat Commercially Registered?

The saying goes, the best boat to own is your MatesBoat™! MatesBoat™ is Australia’s fastest growing peer-peer boat rental & charter service platform.

MatesBoat™ is closing the gap between boat owners and non-boat owners bringing them together on a simple platform to enjoy the benefits of being out on the water.

Whether the client/Mate wants to hire a boat and take their family and friends out on the water or hire a boat with a Master, Matesboat™ is here to help.

One of our bareboat rental listings produced $50,000 in revenue in his first year!

This is why you need you should get your boat commercially registered and list on MatesBoat™.

Domestic Commercial Vessels (DCV)

If you are taking paying passengers on your vessel or if you are renting it out as a bareboat rental then the vessel must have a Domestic Commercial Vessel Registration (DCV).

To operate on the MatesBoat™ platform your vessel will be required to have either a Full survey, an Ex02 – Non-Survey or operate under one of the other exemptions i.e paddle boards, surf boards, kite surfers etc.

Think of it as a roadworthy for your boat. It is not dissimilar to preparing your vehicle to operate on the Uber platform etc.

If your vessel complies with the requirements of Exemption 02 (Ex02) – Non Survey Vessel then the application is online and no physical survey is undertaken of your vessel. If your vessel sits outside the requirements of the Ex02 – Non Survey Vessel requirements then you will need to contact a Marine Surveyor for advice.

Domestic Commercial Vessel Registration – Types

Here is a summary of the Ex 02 Requirements:

AMSA Ex02 Schedule 1:-

Division 2.1

Class 2, 3 or 4 vessel:

(a) that is <12 m long; and

(b) that operates only in sheltered (D or E) waters; and

(c) if a Class 2 vessel — that carries no passengers or up to 4

day passengers;

The vessel must meet the design, construction and equipment standards mentioned in NSCV Part G that apply to the vessel, unless the National Regulator approves otherwise in writing. (see NSCV Part G Requirements)

Class 1 – Passenger vessel (13 or more passengers)

Class 2 – Non-passenger vessel (up to 12 passengers)

Class 3 – Fishing vessel

Class 4 – Hire and drive vessel used by the hirer only for

recreational purposes

N.B Class 3 is for large commercial fishing operations

Operating on the MatesBoat™ platform will be Class 2 if you are planning to operate as a Charter vessel. Class 4 if you are planning to rent your boat as a bareboat rental.

The waters you will be operating in using Ex02 – Non Survey Vessel will be Class D, E & Inland waters.

For information on sheltered waters boundaries (i.e D or E operational areas) in any state or territory, contact your local marine safety agency i.e Marine Safety Victoria.  If you send us an email we can send you the boundaries.

If you have a full survey and have the applicable Certificate of Competency then you can operate in waters outside Class D, E & Inland waters.

Summary:-

Before applying for Ex.02 you will need to ensure the following:-

2.1

1. Vessel is less than 12 metres in length;
2. Operates only in Class D, E or Inland Waters;
3. Does not have an inboard petrol engine;
4. Carries no more than 4 passengers;
5. If a Class 4 vessel, not to be operated overnight;
6. Must have an Australian Build Plate;

OR

2.3

It is a human powered vessel; and

1. Only propelled by human powered devices; or
2. Is a canoe or kayak that has human powered devices as its primary source of propulsion and has fitted with:

(i) an electric propulsion motor of ≤24 volts; or

(ii) a motor of ≤3.5 kW propulsion power;

OR

2.4

Is a sailing vessel, other than a Class 1 vessel, that:

1. is <7.5 m long; and
2. has no auxiliary engine, or
3. an auxiliary engine of ≤3.5 kW propulsion power;

OR

2.5

Is a personal watercraft;

1. is < than 4m long;
2. have internal combustion engine powering a water-jet pump as its primary source of propulsion;
3. be designed to be operated by at least one person sitting, standing or kneeling on its hull;
4. not have an aerial freestyle device attached;

Step-By-Step

 01     Check your vessel will comply the Ex.02  requirements.

02     Check you are operating within waters of Class D, E Or Inland.

03     Does your vessel have an Australian Build Plate. (Take a Photo of it)

04     Make application via the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Website.

05     Once you obtain the Ex 02 you need to apply for a Certificate of Operation and have a Safety Management System in place.

06     List your boat on MatesBoat™ and start earning money.

Safety Equipment

 You will be required to carry specific safety equipment as per the Guidance Notices provided by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

You will need to check the Guidance Notice for the Class of water you are applying to operate in i.e Class 2D or 2E. You will no doubt already possess most of the equipment required.

You follow the link below to see your requirements:-

Safety Equipment Requirements

Safety Management System (SMS)

 Your Safety Management System (SMS) is used to document how you are going to keep you, your crew, your passengers, your vessel and the environment safe.

All commercial vessel owners and operators have a legal requirement to implement and maintain a Safety Management System (SMS) under the National Standards for Commercial Vessels (NSCV).

The owner has a duty to implement and maintain a SMS that ensures the vessel and the operations of the vessel are, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe; and a

master has a duty to implement and comply with the SMS for the vessel and the vessel operation, so far as is reasonably practicable.

Most workplaces in Australia will have a type of Safety Management System in place to ensure the safety of their workers and customers.

To assist you in developing your SMS, MatesBoat™ has put together an article “What is a Safety Management System and how to develop one” – check it out.

Useful Apps

 Wavve:-   Use Wavve Boating’s innovative boating app to navigate with ease and help each other find the best spots.

Highlight shallow areas and dangers in red based on your boat’s draft and current water level conditions. Your map will update in real-time reflecting current tidal conditions.

 Tracket:- Designed for all the boat lovers out there, TRACKET is an all-in-one app that keeps your power boat, yacht and PWC in check.  All your boat info in one place including safety equipment expiry dates, scheduled maintenance & invoices.

More Information

 Head to MatesBoat™ and check out our FAQ’s, Casestudy, Insurance Broker and listed vessels.

If you can’t find the information you need please don’t hesitate to email us at info@matesboat.com.au or click the chat function. Love to hear from you!

Boating For Everyone!