The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued a new policy for vessels AMSA considers to be ‘novel’. If you are planning to build or buy a vessel for commercial use within one of the vessel types set out in the policy, you should contact AMSA for advice on whether it is considered novel and the best certification pathway for the vessel.
Vessel types AMSA consider to be ‘novel’:
- submarines
- passenger-carrying submersibles
- dynamically supported vessels (including fully foil-born, and vessels that are partially foil supported)
- wing-in-ground effect (WIG) vessels
- autonomous vessels greater than twelve metres in length, or those intending to carry people
- vessels with alternative fuel technologies including hydrogen, ammonia, and gas-fuelled engines, and
- vessels with electric propulsion and installed battery power exceeding 30kWh, noting that AMSA may consider larger battery power installations on application.
Anyone planning to design, buy or build a vessel in one of these categories should email for advice on classification and certification.
