National Standard for Commercial Vessels 

Part F - Special vessels 

Section 4 - Special purpose vessels 

A special purpose vessel is a vessel that carries either: 

a) at least 13 special personnel; or 

b) at least 13 special personnel or passengers made up of: 

i) at least 1 is special personnel; and 

ii) no more than 12 passengers

Special personnel means a person who is either: 

a) an observer, trainee, coach or person being coached; or 

b) employed by or a volunteer for an emergency services organisation; or 

c) all of the following: 

i) not a member of the crew; 

ii) not a passenger; 

iii) on the vessel to perform the special work being carried out on board the vessel 

Due to the varied nature of special purpose vessels, we determine their requirements on a case-by-case basis. 

If you are planning to design, buy or build a special purpose vessel as defined above for commercial use vessel in one of these categories  please email amsaconnect@amsa.gov.au for advice on classification and certification. 

For enquiries relating to an application please email dcvsurvey@amsa.gov.au