Recreational Novel and Emerging Craft

Maritime safety agencies across Australia are seeing novel or emerging craft on the nations waterways which do not fall within their legislation’s definition of 'vessel'. Many of these craft need to be regulated to ensure they do not pose unnecessary risk to their operators or to other waterway users.

To ensure a consistent approach and to provide guidance to importers and manufacturers, the Australian Recreational Boating Safety Committee, which consists of representatives from maritime safety regulators across Australia, has developed the 'Recreational Novel / Emerging Craft Classification and Management Guidelines'.

The Guidelines are used by agencies to assess new craft and apply effective and consistent management controls to minimise risk to operators of recreational novel craft and to other waterway users. Controls include, but are not limited to:

• registration;

• qualifications / licensing;

• safety equipment; and

• restricted areas and types of operation.

In rare situations, a type of craft may be deemed high risk and not permitted to be used in navigable waters.

The 'Recreational Novel / Emerging Craft Classification and Management Guidelines' will be updated if new craft emerge that do not fit within the Guidelines.

Note: As each State and Territory has its own legislation, those people wishing to import, manufacture or use a novel or emergent craft are encouraged to approach the relevant agency in their State or Territory.

These Guidelines do not apply to vessels intended to be imported, manufactured or used for commercial or research purposes, all enquiries for commercial and research vessels should be directed to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.