Commercial marine vessels guidance notes (GN)

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is the regulator for domestic commercial vessels and marine qualifications in the Northern Territory (NT).

There are some guidance notes that still apply in the NT for commercial marine vessels.

Guidance notes

Schedule of gazetted sheltered waters (smooth and partially smooth waters) as at 16 April 2015: GN 33

schedule of gazetted sheltered waters (smooth and partially smooth waters): GN33 PDF (44.5 KB)
schedule of gazetted sheltered waters (smooth and partially smooth waters): GN33  DOCX (62.2 KB)

Requirements for fishing boats at anchor: GN 34

This sets out the rules and laws you should follow when your fishing boat is at anchor.

requirements for fishing vessels whilst at anchor PDF (26.8 KB)
requirements for fishing vessels whilst at anchor DOCX (57.9 KB)

New or suspected dangers to navigation: GN 55

This sets out the rules and requirements for masters of boats to report dangers to navigation.

discovery of new or suspected dangers to navigation PDF (48.0 KB)
discovery of new or suspected dangers to navigation DOCX (70.3 KB)

Beaching your fishing boat for maintenance: GN 121

This sets out a warning to all vessel owners about undertaking any maintenance or cleaning while their boat is beached.

beaching of vessels to perform maintenance PDF (410.3 KB)
beaching of vessels to perform maintenance DOCX (186.0 KB)

Boats operating before 30 June 2013

Class 3D and 3E fishing boats between 5m and 8m in declared sheltered waters: GN 5

This exempts fishing boats up to 8m from survey requirements but indicates the type of safety equipment you must carry.

class 3D and 3E fishing vessels between 5m and 8m measured length operating in declared sheltered waters PDF (45.7 KB)
class 3D and 3E fishing vessels between 5m and 8m measured length operating in declared sheltered waters DOCX (62.1 KB)

Class 3D and 3E boats less than 5m in declared sheltered waters: GN 6

This exempts fishing boats up to 5m from survey and manning requirements - as long as the vessel is:

  • not carrying more than four people
  • and operating in inland or declared sheltered waters. 

It also details the safety equipment the boat must carry.

class 3D and 3E vessels less than 5m in length operating in declared sheltered waters PDF (43.9 KB)
class 3D and 3E vessels less than 5m in length operating in declared sheltered waters DOCX (62.1 KB)

Class 2D and 2E boats 5m or less in declared sheltered waters: GN 8

This exempts fishing boats up to 5m from survey and manning requirements - as long as the vessel is:

  • not carrying more than four people
  • and operating in inland or declared sheltered waters. 

It also details the safety equipment the boat must carry.

class 2D and 2E vessels not more than 5m in length operating in declared sheltered waters PDF (38.2 KB)
class 2D and 2E vessels not more than 5m in length operating in declared sheltered waters DOCX (61.9 KB)

Minimum number of people to operate fishing boats: GN 28

USL code minimum safety manning for commercial fishing vessels other than fishing tour operators PDF (69.7 KB)
USL code minimum safety manning for commercial fishing vessels other than fishing tour operators DOCX (74.8 KB)

Navigation and fishing lights for small commercial fishing boats: GN 31

This includes information on the position and type of navigation and fishing lights needed for smaller fishing boats.

navigation and fishing lights for small commercial fishing vessels PDF (476.5 KB)
navigation and fishing lights for small commercial fishing vessels DOCX (730.2 KB)

Fishing boats less than 8m operating outside declared sheltered waters limits: GN 35

This includes requirements for safety equipment and operator qualifications for class 3C (within 30 nautical miles of the coastline) and class 3B (within 200 nautical miles of the coastline).

Fishing tour operators are class 2 vessels and are not covered by this guidance note.

fishing vessels (class 3C and 3B) less than 8m in measured length operating outside declared sheltered waters limits PDF (58.8 KB)
fishing vessels (class 3C and 3B) less than 8m in measured length operating outside declared sheltered waters limits DOCX (68.1 KB)

Boats less than 6.2m within 5 nautical miles of the coast: GN 60

This includes a list of the safety equipment that fishing boats of less than 6.2m operating within 5 nautical miles of the coast must carry.

requirements for survey and manning exempt fishing vessels (Class 3D, 3C and 3B) PDF (52.1 KB)
requirements for survey and manning exempt fishing vessels (Class 3D, 3C and 3B) DOCX (64.1 KB)

Vessels less than 6.2m with mother ship beyond 5 nautical miles of coast: GN 61

This includes a list of the safety equipment that fishing boats of less than 6.2m with a mother ship must carry.

requirements for survey and manning exempt fishing vessels Class 3C and 3B less than 6.2m in length and operating within 5 nautical miles of a mother vessel which is operating beyond 5 nautical miles of the coast PDF (48.9 KB)
requirements for survey and manning exempt fishing vessels Class 3C and 3B less than 6.2m in length and operating within 5 nautical miles of a mother vessel which is operating beyond 5 nautical miles of the coast DOCX (64.0 KB)

Marine safety communications: GN 91

This lists the classes of commercial boats and the safety communications equipment they must carry to be approved by a radio surveyor.

marine safety communications - survey requirements PDF (44.3 KB)
marine safety communications - survey requirements DOCX (63.4 KB)

Basic engineering duties for the general purpose hand: GN 102

This includes a checklist of the basic engineering duties for a general purpose hand.

basic engineering duties for the general purpose hand PDF (37.6 KB)
basic engineering duties for the general purpose hand DOCX (58.1 KB)

Operational practices: GN 115

Boats must have all of the following information:

Marine consultants: GN 108

This sets out the law on the technical standards and information required to be submitted by vessel owners. 

Vessel owners may use marine consultants to obtain, make or provide the information.

marine consultants PDF (72.0 KB)
marine consultants DOCX (36.7 KB)

Authorised compass adjusters: GN 104

Compass adjusters are required to be appointed by the Marine Safety Branch or hold a licence as a compass adjuster issued by AMSA.

authorised compass adjusters PDF (38.8 KB)
authorised compass adjusters DOCX (177.1 KB)

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