Safety standards
Standards
Standards that apply to Domestic Commercial Vessels can be found on the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) website.
To find out which standards apply to you, refer to AMSA's National System Requirements.
Design compliance aids
To help with the interpretation of standards under the National System, AMSA has developed Standard Tools to help you check your compliance with the National Standards for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) and Marine Orders (MO).
Drug and alcohol programs
In 2004, the NSW Government legislated in the Passenger Transport Act 1990 No 39 that all operators of a commercial vessel that can seat more than eight adult persons (with at least one person being a passenger), require a drug and alcohol program for their workplace.
A drug and alcohol program is a documented system of policies and procedures to assist an operator to ensure that employees are not under the influence of drugs and alcohol while at work. The program may comprise part of the vessel's Safety Management Systems.
Refer to the Maritime Guidelines relating to Drug and Alcohol Programs (PDF, 409.9 KB) for more information.
Local waterway management
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has prepared a Code of Conduct in consultation with industry stakeholders, to address specific operational, safety or environmental issues relating to a particular waterway or type of vessel use.
Code of Conduct: Mortlake Ferry and State Transit Authority passenger ferries (PDF, 440.84 KB).
Navigation in Sydney Cove
A vessel must not enter or operate in Sydney Cove unless written approval has been obtained from TfNSW or Sydney Ports.
For navigational requirements in Sydney Cove, please refer to the Marine Safety Regulation 2016 Schedule 6 and the Navigation in Sydney Cove map (PDF, 409.82 KB).