From 1 September 2018, owners of human-powered and sailing vessels less than 7.5 metres can be exempt from having to get a unique identifier for each vessel, if a certificate of operation covers the vessels.
Alternatively, owners may choose to continue to apply for a unique identifier for each vessel and remain exempt from having a certificate of operation. The unique identifier does not need to be displayed on the vessel.
AMSA recognised that requiring a unique identifier for every human-powered vessel and sailing vessels less than 7.5 metres, may not be practical for some operators, particularly operators with a high number of unpowered vessels that are replaced frequently.
Exemption 1 allows greater flexibility around the unique identifier requirements for human-powered and small sailing vessels covered by a certificate of operation
The change to Exemption 1 means that owners of human-powered vessels and sailing vessels less than 7.5 metres will have now have two options.
Option 1 — obtain a certificate of operation for the vessels and be exempt from all UI requirements
Each vessel will not need to have a unique identifier, as long as they are covered by a certificate of operation.
This option may suit operators with a high number of unpowered vessels that are replaced frequently. This is because it may be more cost and time effective to obtain and renew a certificate of operation once every five years than applying for a unique identifier for every new vessel and replacement vessel.
Option 2 — continue to operate without a certificate of operation and exempt only from UI display requirements
Human-powered vessels and sail vessels under 7.5 metres can continue to operate exempt from the certificate of operation requirements under Exemption 3 and apply for a unique identifier on a vessel-by-vessel basis. The unique identifier does not need to be displayed on the vessel.
This option may suit operators who have only a small number of human-powered vessels or small sail vessels, or where the vessels are not frequently replaced.
Read the full details of Exemption 1—Marine Safety (https://www.amsa.gov.au/vessels-operators/regulations-and-standards-vessels/exemption-1-marine-safety-vessel-identifiers)