FAQ's - Surveyors - Seaworthy - Inspections - Mackay - Airli

State maritime regulators and insurers rely on accredited surveyors and qualified shipwrights to provide technical survey reports and assessments — Not 'Certificates of Seaworthiness' or 'Seaworthy Certificates'. 

Maritime Safety Queensland is the state regulator for private and recreational pleasure boats, otherwise known as Queensland Regulated Ships. The legislation that provides guidance for recreational vessels operating in Queensland Waters, is the Transport Operations Marine Safety Act. (TOMSA) Big Sea Marine conducts all pre-purchase boat inspections and insurance risk assessments in accordance with these regulations. Appropriate references are included in our reports. Additionally, relevant build standards are referenced, such as AS1799 (Small Craft Construction) and Australian Builders Plate. 

No. Registration confirms identity and legal use — not condition. 

There is no statutory or regulatory instrument in Australia titled a “Certificate of Seaworthiness” applicable to recreational boats or marine vessels. 

Under Australian maritime regulation:

• The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issues Certificates of Survey and Certificates of Operation exclusively for domestic commercial vessels operating under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law.
• Recreational vessels are not subject to national certification, periodic survey, or seaworthiness certification regimes.
   

Seaworthiness remains a recognised marine insurance and legal concept, assessed with reference to:

• vessel condition,
• maintenance history,
• the vessel's intended use,
• and relevant circumstances at the time.
   

Accordingly:

• An inspection report constitutes independent professional evidence of the vessel’s observed condition at the time of inspection.
• No representation is made that the vessel is “certified seaworthy” by any regulatory authority, as no such certification exists for recreational vessels.
• Factual findings and observations should be addressed and expressed in a detailed, professionally prepared report, signed by an accredited surveyor and presented as a clear and defensible, true account of the findings on the day and at the time of the inspection. There is no 'Certificate' associated with this process.
   

This approach aligns with established professional marine surveying and insurance assessment practice in Australia. 

Yes — particularly in insurance and liability matters — but it is assessed factually, not by the issuance of a Certificate. For boat buyers, prospective purchasers and existing operators, always engage an Accredited Marine Surveyor to provide legitimate reports and assessments that are preferred by insurance underwriters, financiers and regulators. 

• There is no Australian legislation, no national recreational boating authority, and no recognised government process that issues a document formally titled a Certificate of Seaworthiness for privately owned recreational vessels. 

• Seaworthy evidence can be produced—but not in the form of an official Australian recreational “Certificate of Seaworthiness,” because such a certificate is not part of the recreational regulatory architecture.

• Clear, 'Industry Standard Marine Survey Reports' have been, and remain the acceptable and expected form of reporting on vessel condition, age, sea-keeping ability and seaworthiness, for boats and marine vessels here in Australia and around the world. 

• Appropriately accredited and qualified marine surveyors are regarded as professionals who work within the guidelines of the applicable, established standards and maritime legislation. 

Big Sea Marine works within these guidelines and applicable industry standards, to ensure our clients engage with us with peace-of-mind and confidence in the services we provide. 

 “This content was originally published by Big Sea Marine Consultants & Surveyors, Airlie Beach, Queensland.”  Published 18/01/2026 - last updated 22/01/2026 - Guy Howard