Survey requirements
Certificate of Survey renewal
The Department renews a vessels' Certificates of Survey annually, after a duly authorised Marine Surveyor has carried out a safety equipment survey.
Payment of a survey fee is required before the vessel is surveyed and the Certificate of Survey issued. Additionally, vessels are required to be surveyed out of the water, at intervals not exceeding 2 years, with the propeller shaft(s) (if fitted) surveyed at intervals generally not exceeding 4 years.
View fees and charges.
Vessel holding a current Certificate of Survey
Commercial vessels operating in Western Australian waters are required to carry and display a valid Certificate of Survey.
Vessels holding a current certificate of survey from another Australian Marine Authority will be accepted on a like for like basis. The owner is required to request in writing, a "reciprocal Western Australian Certificate of Survey", and supply a copy of the current certificate from the other authority, to the Department's Commercial Vessel Safety Branch.
It should be noted that the Certificate of Survey from another authority (and hence the Certificate of Survey issued by Western Australia in recognition) is required to be renewed as indicated on the Certificate (ie. Dates of validity, restrictions and conditions applied by the originating authority will be observed in Western Australia).
Owners of vessels purchased in other States should ensure that the vessel complies with the Uniform Shipping Laws Code in the originating State.
Vessels having previously held a Certificate of Survey which has expired
Vessels holding an expired Western Australian Certificate of Survey would have to be re-surveyed. The vessel will have to substantially comply with the Uniform Shipping Laws Code for the classes that the vessel was previously surveyed for, or any further classes being sought. An expired certificate of survey does not guarantee compliance with the Uniform Shipping Laws code.
Vessels holding an expired Certificate of Survey from another authority would have to be resurveyed either by the originating authority (short term operation in Western Australia) or by the Department (for permanent operations in Western Australia).
If also applying for a change of class, or additional class, the vessel will have to meet the current requirements of the Uniform Shipping Laws code for that class.
Existing vessels which have not previously held a Certificate of Survey
Existing vessels never issued with a certificate of survey are required to meet the same provisions as new vessels. Owners are strongly advised to contact a Marine Consultant or Naval Architect to ascertain as far as is practical that an existing vessel will pass survey before the vessel is purchased.
Please note: It should be noted that many recreational vessels are not designed or constructed to any standard and may not be able to comply with the requirements contained in the USL Code. Download the Fibre reinforced plastics (FRP) information for existing private vessels seeking WA survey certificate for commercial operations from Publications.
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