Edition 61, October 2008

Changes to small vessel licensing requirements in Queensland

From 1 August 2008, the Queensland Seafood Industry Association will be phasing out the issue of Small Vessel Operators Certificates and requiring new applicants to apply to Maritime Safety Queensland for a Restricted Coxswain licence

From 1 August 2009, Small Vessel Operators Certificates will no longer be recognised as an authority to operate either a recreational ship or a fishing ship under 10 metres. Anyone found operating a ship on a Small Vessel Operators Certificate from 1 August 2009 will be considered unlicensed and penalties may apply.

Operators of fishing ships under 10 metres must hold a minimum of a Restricted Coxswain licence from 1 August 2009.

There is a transition period from 1 August 2008 to 31 July 2010 to change your Small Vessel Operators Certificate.

From 1 August 2008 to 31 July 2009 if you hold a Small Vessel Operators Certificate, you can change to a Restricted Coxswain licence at no cost.

From 1 August 2009 to 31 July 2010 if you hold a Small Vessel Operators Certificate, you will be charged the normal application fee for a Restricted Coxswain licence (currently $67.65 and subject to change).

From 1 August 2010 you will need to make a new application for a Restricted Coxswain licence and meet all the requirements for that licence.

The current training programs for Small Vessel Operators Certificates will continue to be part of prerequisite requirements by Maritime Safety Queensland for the issue of a Restricted Coxswain licence.

For more information visit www.msq.qld.gov.au/Home/Licensing/Commercial/Small_vessel_operators_certificate/

This page was generated on 23 December, 2009

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