Registration of Vessels
The following vessels must be registered with NSW Maritime when they are on navigable waters in NSW:
- any commercial vessel
- any mechanically propelled vessel which is capable of 10 knots or more
- any mechanically propelled or sailing vessel of 5.5 metres or longer
- every vessel subject to a mooring licence
- every vessel subject to a permissive occupancy (includes marina berths)
- every personal watercraft (PWC).
Exemptions from this requirement include:
- any vessel less than 5.5 metres in length, powered by an engine with a power rating of less than 4.0 kilowatts (5 horsepower or less) that is not a commercial vessel and that is not the subject of a mooring licence
- any sailing vessel which belongs to one of the following classes and that is not the subject of a mooring licence
- Flying Dutchman
- Jubilee
- Light Weight Sharpie
- Tornado
- Vessels subject to a hire and drive licence
Application for Registration
Application forms for initial registration are available at any NSW Maritime operation centre. When applying for registration, you must provide the following:
- Completed ‘Application for Vessel Registration‘ in one name (or organisation) only
- Proof of acquisition - copy of an acceptable receipt/ bill of sale or consignment note
- HIN (Boatcode) certificate
- Proof of Identity
- Concession card (if applicable)
- Prescribed fee
An acceptable receipt must include the following details:
- Full name and signature of seller
- Full name and address of buyer
- Date of sale and the words ‘received payment in full’ or similiar and
- HIN/ Boatcode number (if applicable) and a full description of vessel
If the receipt/ bill of sale does not include the essential requirements another receipt or Statutory Declaration must be provided detailing the required information.
Transfer
When selling a vessel the registered controller must complete and forward the Notice of Disposal to NSW Maritime. The registered controller must also sign the reverse side of the registration certificate and give it, together with an acceptable receipt to the buyer for transfer purposes. The buyer has 21 days to complete the transfer otherwise a late fee will be charged.
The buyer must also provide proof of identity and a Boatcode (HIN) certificate (if applicable).
Personalised Vessel Registration
Personalised vessel registrations can be applied for at any NSW Maritime operations centre. Subject to availability they may be any combination of up to six alpha/numeric characters (which are not offensive) and must always be followed by the letter “N”. An additional fee applies.
Registration Numbers
Mechanically propelled vessels must show registration numbers on each side of the vessel at least 150mm high and clearly visible while underway. They should be located on the forward section of the vessel’s hull on each side of the vessel.
Sailing vessels must show registration numbers on the transom or on both sides of the hull adjacent to the stern. In the case of multi hull craft, the numbers must be on the outer faces of the external hulls adjacent to the stern. The figures must be at least 100mm high and be visible when the vessel is underway.
Note: For registration purposes, a “sailing vessel” means a vessel which has sails as its primary means of propulsion.
PWC must have registration numbers on each side of the craft in figures of at least 100mm high, where they are clearly visible when the vessel is underway.
Commercial vessels must display a permit number or commercial registration number. The number must be displayed on each side of the hull or on the transom in figures at least 150mm high.
Registration numbers must be clearly visible at a distance of 60m.
Display of Registration NumbersThe numbers should be of contrasting colours to the boat’s hull. Black numbers are standard on a light coloured hull, but on a dark coloured hull you should use white or pale figures.
Capacity Stickers
Capacity Stickers
Capacity stickers must be displayed clearly on all powered vessels (except PWC). These stickers indicate the maximum number of people to be carried on a particular vessel. The sticker must be within one metre of the steering position(s) and clearly visible.
The capacity is normally calculated by the manufacturer and is often shown on a special plate attached to the hull. Alternatively, a sticker issued by NSW Maritime will indicate the appropriate number of passengers. This capacity is the maximum number for good conditions. A reduction in the maximum number must be made in adverse weather conditions or when on open waters. If not, the master may be guilty of negligent navigation.
In determining whether your vessel complies with the capacity limits, the following applies:
- children up to one year of age are not counted (although you still require safety equipment for them)
- each child between the ages of one and twelve equals one half of an adult and
- capacity of a person is assessed at 75kg per person with an additional allowance of 15kg per person for personal gear.
Australian Builders Plate
From 1 July 2006 an Australian Builders Plate is required on most new recreational vessels either built in Australia or imported to Australia. The Australian Builders Plate provides essential safety information for the owner or prospective buyer on matters such as the maximum number of people and load of a boat, buoyancy performance, engine weight and rating.
There are two types of Builders late: one for vessels under 6 metres in length and another for vessels 6 metres or more in length. The key difference is the buoyancy requirement which will only be displayed on the plate for vessels of under 6 metres in length.
The plate will be permanently fixed by the builder, manufacturer or importer prior to purchase and be readily visible to the boat’s operator in the cockpit or near the steering position.
For further information log onto the National Marine Safety Committee website www.nmsc.gov.au.
Registration Label
The registration label, which is issued as part of the annual registration renewal, must be attached to the exterior of a powered vessel on the port side where it is clearly visible. On sailing vessels, it must be placed on the transom or port side of the hull.
Fees
Information regarding current fees is available from Info Line 13 12 56.
Change of address
You must promptly notify NSW Maritime of any changes of address in writing or by telephoning the Info Line.
Recognition of Registration
Temporary exemption from the NSW registration requirements is available to visitors from another State, Territory or overseas. NSW registration is not required as long as the vessel:
(i) is not ordinarily used on navigable waters in NSW and
(ii) has not been in NSW for more than three months and
(iii) is currently registered in another State, Territory or overseas and
(iv) is properly numbered and carries an identification plate required by the law of its home State, Territory or country.
If any of these conditions cannot be met and the vessel is registrable under NSW law, it must carry NSW registration when on navigable waters in this State.
If the home State/ Territory or Overseas vessel does not have registration requirement, the vessel must be registered in NSW, or another State.
Note: Vessels in Australian registry are not exempted from NSW registration.
- children up to one year of age are not counted (although you still require safety equipment for them)
- each child between the ages of one and twelve equals one half of an adult and
- capacity of a person is assessed at 75kg per person with an additional allowance of 15kg per person for personal gear.
There are two types of Builders late: one for vessels under 6 metres in length and another for vessels 6 metres or more in length. The key difference is the buoyancy requirement which will only be displayed on the plate for vessels of under 6 metres in length.
The plate will be permanently fixed by the builder, manufacturer or importer prior to purchase and be readily visible to the boat’s operator in the cockpit or near the steering position.
For further information log onto the National Marine Safety Committee website www.nmsc.gov.au.
(ii) has not been in NSW for more than three months and
(iii) is currently registered in another State, Territory or overseas and
(iv) is properly numbered and carries an identification plate required by the law of its home State, Territory or country.
If any of these conditions cannot be met and the vessel is registrable under NSW law, it must carry NSW registration when on navigable waters in this State.
If the home State/ Territory or Overseas vessel does not have registration requirement, the vessel must be registered in NSW, or another State.