Vessel Classes
Commercial Vessels are assigned a class based on the vessels use (1 to 4) and area of operation (A to E).
The class of a vessel determines the standard and operating conditions the vessel is required to comply with. For example the safety equipment required to be carried on a vessel in operational area A will be more extensive than the equipment required to be carried on a vessel in operational area E, reflecting the greater risk in operating more than 200 nautical miles from shore.
These classes reflect the classes in USL Code 2008.
Vessel Use Categories
|
Vessel Use |
Denoted by |
Explanation and Examples |
Passenger vessel
(carrying more than 12 passengers) |
1 |
Ferries, party boats, cruise boats, charter boats, thrill rides |
Non-passenger vessel
(can carry up to 12 passengers) |
2 |
Work boats such as tugs, barges, and pontoons; and
Small passenger vessels carrying no more than 12 passengers such as water taxis, charter fishing boats, waterskiing boats |
Fishing vessel |
3 |
All vessels engaged in the commercial fishing industry including oyster barges, trawlers, net boats, line boats |
Hire and drive vessel |
4 |
Examples of the types of vessels hired for recreational use included houseboats, yachts, off-the-beach sailing boats, tinnies, kayaks, pedloes, canoes, dinghies, motor cruisers and half cabin cruisers |
Operational Area Categories
|
Operational Area |
Denoted by |
Definition |
Seagoing |
A+B+C |
|
Unlimited domestic operations |
A |
Operations greater than 200 nautical miles to seaward of the coast |
Offshore operations |
B |
Operations up to 200 nautical miles to seaward of the coast, or within lesser limits as specified |
Restricted offshore operations |
C |
Operations up to 30 nautical miles from the seaward limit of a safe haven, or lesser as specified, OR any other waters designated by Maritime as “restricted offshore” |
Sheltered waters |
D+E |
|
Partially smooth waters |
D |
Operations in waters designated by Maritime as partially smooth waters.
Partially smooth waters are waters were the significant wave height does not exceed 1.5 metres 90% of the time |
Smooth water operations |
E |
Operations within waters designated by Maritime as smooth water operations.
Smooth waters are waters were the significant wave height does not exceed 0.5 metres for 90% of the time |
