Initial survey (new vessels)
Introduction
The Western Australian Marine Act requires every new vessel (other than an exempt vessel) intended for operation within the jurisdiction of the State to complete an initial survey to ensure that the vessel complies with the laws of the State.
The Commercial Vessel Safety Branch's Marine Surveyors require sufficient information to allow them to assess the design of the vessel for compliance with relevant Uniform Shipping Laws (USL) Code requirements.
The Uniform Shipping Laws Code has been adopted by Regulation, and is the standard reference used in the approval and certification of commercial vessels.
The following information is designed to explain to prospective owners and builders, the requirements of the Western Australian Marine Act in respect of the survey of commercial vessels. It is not intended to cover every aspect of survey regulations and compliance with this information does not necessarily constitute compliance with all relevant statutes.
In cases where information is not readily available it is suggested that contact be made with the Commercial Vessel Safety Branch prior to proceeding.
Requirements and prerequisites
Application to build
An Application for Initial Survey form (view form) must be completed and submitted along with relevant plans to the Fremantle or Geraldton Office. The appropriate fees are due with the application. The application form may be obtained from the Department's Commercial Vessel Safety Branch, and the fees required may be established through consultation with the Senior Surveyor - New Construction.
Fees are prescribed by Regulation for the following services and vary according to the size of the vessel.
- Plan examination;
- Survey during construction;
- Inclining experiment witnessing;
- Stability approval;
- Load line assignment; and
- Surveyed passenger vessel (SPV) number issue.
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Submission of drawings and specifications
A minimum of 3 sets of drawings are to be submitted for approval. One set is retained by the Commercial Vessel Safety Branch and two sets returned. Additional sets may be endorsed if required. The size and classification of the vessel will determine the extent of information required.
The following may be used as a guide:
- General arrangement;
- Construction details;
- Pumping and piping;
- Machinery and propulsion details;
- Structural fire protection;
- Welding/laminating schedule;
- Draft marks;
- Electrical details; and
- Lifting appliances.
Information checked
Depending on the size, class and complexity of the Design, the following items are checked during the plan approval process:
- Structure;
- Mechanical/electrical systems;
- Pumping/piping systems;
- Stability/subdivision;
- Constructional safety;
- Passenger accommodation;
- Fire protection;
- Safety equipment;
- Lifting appliances;
- Evacuation provisions; and
- Boarding and loading provision.
Classification societies
Plans may be submitted to a Classification Society for approval of hull and machinery. However, DPI will still examine the vessel to ensure that it satisfies the statutory safety requirements, and a General Arrangement plan is still required by DPI for approval.
Copies of Classification Society approved plans must be forwarded to DPI at the earliest opportunity. Plan examination and initial survey fees for vessels surveyed by classification societies for hull and machinery are charged at 50% of the standard rate.
Sister ships
A vessel will only be accepted as a Sister Ship by completing the Application for Sister Vessel form which is to be approved by a Senior Marine Surveyor. If the application for sister vessel is approved, the "Application for Initial Survey" must be accompanied by a single copy of the prior approved plans of the vessel to which the vessel is a sister (basis vessel). View forms.
Please note: Construction should not commence until plans have been approved. Modification to existing structure (carried out at the Builders expense) may be required if the submission does not meet the required specifications.
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Survey during construction
The Commercial Vessel Safety Branch will inspect the vessel during various stages of construction, in particular:
- famework completed, ready for plating/or at each layer of reinforcement after setting of resin for Fibre Reinforced Plastic construction;
- hull plating completed/or completion of framing for Fibre Reinforced Plastic construction;
- hull thickness check on completion of a Fibre Reinforced Plastic hull;
- tanks or other spaces before closure or sealing i.e. Fuel tank inspection and pressure test;
- machinery, propulsion system, piping systems etc;
- superstructure and deck plating; and
- check of draft marks.
The particular survey programme may be discussed with the Marine Surveyor responsible for the construction survey.
Prior to completion of the Initial Survey
A Radio Surveyor approved by DPI will conduct the initial radio survey. Please give the radio inspector at least two weeks notice. You may enquire as to how to contact an approved radio inspector through the Fremantle office. A list of approved radio surveyors is available in the publications area.
A Master Survey sheet is to be completed by the Builder (view sheet). This document is the first record of the completed vessel, and describes the hull and fit out of the vessel when new.
Where the Commercial Vessel Safety Branch requires an inclining experiment to be conducted, the Builder is to arrange to have a suitably qualified consultant to conduct the experiment while a Department Marine Surveyor witnesses the experiment. The stability booklet prepared by the consultant from the experiment is then to be submitted to the Commercial Vessel Safety Branch for approval. Submission of a preliminary Stability booklet based on a lightship estimate can save considerable time.
Where a compass is required, it is to be adjusted by a licensed Compass Adjuster and the Compass Adjuster's declaration provided to DPI. A list of compass adjustors is available in the publications area.
Pressure vessel tests are to meet requirements of Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 1996.
If a Fixed Fire Fighting and Detection System is required, an installation certificate is to be supplied by the installer.
If foam buoyancy is to be fitted, the Builder is to complete and submit an appropriate Calculation Sheet (available in the forms area).
Where LPG or 240/415v supplies are fitted, a Certificate of Compliance with Australian Standards is to be supplied by the installer, in accordance with Office of Energy requirements.
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On completion of the Initial Survey
An inspection will be carried out to check the vessel's safety equipment and trials will be run to confirm the vessel's safe handling and performance of machinery and equipment.
A colour photograph of the vessel is to be supplied by the Builder (minimum size 80mm x 110mm).
A copy of relevant test and installation certificates may be required to be supplied to the attending Marine Surveyor for various items of equipment or machinery.
Certificate of Survey
Upon satisfactory completion of the above inspection and approval of the stability booklet (and issue of Load Line if appropriate), the vessel will be issued with a "Certificate of Survey", (generally valid for 12 months).
Vessels less than 8 metres in measured length
Any vessel less than 8 metres in measured length, operating within 5 nautical miles of the mainland coast and not carrying passengers, may be exempted from being surveyed,and therefore, not required to carry a Certificate of Survey. The vessel is, however, to be constructed to, and fitted out to, the requirements of the Uniform Shipping Laws Code, and carry the same equipment as required of any other commercial vessel of the same Class and length.
Applications to register a survey exempt commercial vessel are made to any private boat registry office of the Department. View form.
Please note:
- Vessels covered in the above category are exempt from all surveys and may operate on completion of registration as Exempt Vessels. This registration is valid for 12 months and must be renewed on expiry.
- The following external links are to classification societies whose survey and plan approval are accepted by DPI are:
- Existing vessels not previously surveyed, will be treated as if they are still under construction, and plans still need to be submitted for examination.
- Wood, steel and aluminium vessels will need linings and fit-out removed for inspection of the hull. Fibre Reinforced Plastic - Fibreglass) vessels will, in addition, require samples of the hull removed (minimum 3 samples of 300mm x 300mm as indicated by the Marine Surveyor) for testing at the owner's expense. A fact sheet on the existing FRP vessels for which a WA certificate of survey for commercial operations is sought, is available in the publications area.
- Existing Ferro-Cement vessels will not be accepted into commercial survey.
For further information please contact us.
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