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4. Registration procedures

Registration procedures

Maritime Safety Queensland has all application forms for commercial registration. All forms must be completed fully and accurately.

Registration falls into two categories:

• ships less than six metres in length
• ships six metres or more in length.

The length of a ship is determined by the greater of the following:

• the distance from the fore part of the hull to the after part of the hull, measured at the upper side of the uppermost weather tight deck or, in the case of an open vessel, at the height of the gunwale, or
• 96 per cent of the distance between a vertical line passing through a point being the fore most part of the hull and a vertical line passing through a point being the aftermost part of the hull, excluding appendages.

For more information refer to section one of the Uniform Shipping Laws Code (including amendments).
If you choose to measure the ship yourself, you should always confirm the measurement with an accredited marine surveyor.

Ships less than six metres in length
A statement of positive flotation is required. This indicates the ship can stay afloat and upright when filled with water and its full complement of crew/passengers. A positive flotation statement from the manufacturer or an accredited marine surveyor (who will conduct a swamp test) must be submitted with the registration application.

Ships six metres or more in length
The following certificates of compliance must be submitted with the application:

• Design
  A certificate of compliance for design is particularly important for new ships as it verifies the ship meets design standards. This can only be completed by an accredited designer in categories relevant to the type of ship. For example, the person has accreditation for hulls constructed in timber and your ship has a timber hull. The form also covers details like ship name and engine statistics.
• Survey
  A certificate of compliance for survey indicates the ship has been examined and found seaworthy and can only be completed by an accredited marine surveyor. This form examines ship details (name, construction details, length), engine details (make, model, power) and owner details (name and address). If the ship carries any gas appliances, such as gas stove, a statement from a qualified gas fitter must be included in the application.
• Stability
  Certificate of compliance for stability includes a declaration from an accredited designer or accredited surveyor about stability, determines the purpose of operation, number of persons allowed aboard, amount of cargo and basic details of the ship.
• Safety equipment
  A certificate of compliance for safety equipment verifies the ship has been checked for, and is carrying the regulated safety equipment. This must be completed by either a surveyor, builder or designer accredited for safety equipment.

If your ship is 24 metres or over in length, and is a class 1 A, B, or C or a class 2 A, B, C, D, or E, then a loadline certificate is required. A Commercial\Fishing Ship Loadline Application form (PDF, 43 KB) and a certificate of compliance for loadline must be submitted with the registration application.

Registration certificates
The owner and master of a registered commercial or fishing ship must ensure the:

• registration certificate is displayed on the ship in a place and way that they can be seen and read by anyone on the ship
• registration numbers are displayed on the ship above the water line when afloat. They must be permanently and legibly displayed in dark colours on a light background or light colours on a dark background. They must be at least 200 millimetres high on each side of a ship capable of planing and at least 75 millimetres high on each side or the stern on all other ships.

Operating documents and records for the ship
Ships over eight metres in length that are a registrable commercial ship operating within Queensland waters (except ships making voyages of 15 minutes or less in smooth waters) or a registrable fishing ship operating beyond partially smooth waters must carry certain manuals and plans.

The owner and master of the ship must ensure the below documents are aboard the ship and available to the ship's crew. The owner and master must also ensure that the ship's crew is familar with the following documents:

• the operational manual for the ship
• the technical manual for the ship
• the maintenance and service manual for the ship
• the marine occupational health and safety manual for the ship
• the safety management plan for the ship for onboard emergencies
• manual of procedures for verification of passenger numbers.

The Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 2004 requires all registrable commercial and fishing ships (regardless of length) to carry and maintain operating records in accordance with schedule 4 of the Regulation.

If documents are not kept or properly maintained you can be fined.

Maritime Safety Queensland has produced a manual for Commercial and Fishing Ships Operating Documents and Commercial and Fishing Ships Diary and Log Book to assist in meeting this requirement. Further information on the manual and diary and log book.

Registering sail training ships
Sail training ships are commercially registered sailing ships between six and 16 metres in length and are used by a sailing school to teach people to sail. The registration application must be endorsed by the principal of the sailing school and a representative of Yachting Queensland*. A safety compliance form must by completed by an authorised Yachting Queensland safety auditor and submitted with the registration application at a Maritime Safety Queensland regional office.

• Commercial ship (sail training) registration application (PDF, 63 KB)
• Safety compliance form — category 1 and 2 (PDF, 33 KB)
• Safety compliance form — category 3 and 4 (PDF, 33 KB)

Renewing registration
Owners receive renewal notices approximately two months prior to the ships registration expiring. If there have been no alterations or changes made to the ship, the owner or master must submit the renewal notice (form F1591) and either sign the declaration of compliance section or have an accredited surveyor complete this section.

Registering a ship from interstate or overseas in Queensland
If a ship is currently registered in another state or country, the process for initial registration is followed (as above). If the ship has a current certificate of survey, this should be submitted with form F2721 (PDF, 107 KB).

If the ship does not have a current certificate of survey, all certificates of compliance must be obtained and submitted with the registration form.

Registering a Queensland registered ship interstate
Queensland certificates of registration are not recognised in any other states or territories. If a ship purchased in Queensland is to be operated commercially outside Queensland, a certificate of survey issued by Maritime Safety Queensland is required (this is different to a certificate of compliance for survey issued by accredited marine surveyors).  Form F3428 (PDF, 106 KB) must be completed.

A certificate of survey is evidence the ship has been inspected in the last 12 months, complies with the Uniform Shipping Laws Code and is seaworthy. Any non-compliance is stated in the certificate and will need to be checked with the destination state to see if acceptable.

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