Policy
All boat users and vessels in NSW fall under NSW maritime regulations and legislation, including all SLS vessels, services, and personnel. Due to the nature of Surf Lifesaving operations, a series of exemptions have been granted to SLSNSW when performing a rescue or when responding to an emergency. All SLS vessels, services and personnel operating in NSW are required to adhere to the requirements of NSW regulations and NSW legislation.
Procedure
Surf Rescue Vessel Registration
All Surf Lifesaving vessels must be registered with a Surf Rescue (SR) number through SLSNSW, and all vessels shall be re-registered through the annual Gear and Equipment Inspections program facilitated by SLSNSW. The exemption allows SLSNSW to facilitate a registration program for all Surf Life Saving vessels operating in NSW. The exemption allows SLSNSW to facilitate an in-house registration program for all Surf Life Saving vessels operating in NSW.
Service NSW have granted SLSNSW an exemption of general vessel registration requirements in NSW.
Surf Lifesaving Services (ALS) vessels will need to be registered with AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority)
Service NSW hold the right to request a report of all Surf Life Saving vessel registrations and to exercise disciplinary action for any misconduct at any time.
Registration Procedure – New Vessels
This process applies to the registering of all new or second-hand Surf Rescue vessels.
- Prior to purchasing a vessel from a manufacturer/ supplier, the purchasing SLSNSW entity must complete a SLSNSW New Vessel Registration Application Form. The manufacturer/ supplier will provide the relevant vessel details required to complete the form.
- SLSNSW will review and record the details of the vessel then provide the registration number to the entity in form of an SLSNSW SR Registration Confirmation.
- The purchasing SLSNSW entity is to forward the new vessel registration details to the manufacturer/ supplier for registration application to the vessel.
- The entity must enter the vessel details and new SR registration number into SurfGuard before operating the vessel.
- RWCs can only be registered to a Branch or SLSNSW.
- Prior to use all vessels must be registered with SLSNSW and have registration number displayed.
Annual Re-registration
The annual re-registration of all Surf Rescue vessels occurs through the SLSNSW annual Gear and Equipment Inspections program.
- Vessel owners are responsible for maintaining accurate vessel registration and equipment details in SurfGuard and any changes to these details are communicated to SLSNSW.
- Prior to the annual gear and equipment inspection the appointed Branch Gear Inspectors are required to confirm all Surf Rescue vessels are registered with SLSNSW with the correct details via the Operations App that is preferably used to conduct the gear inspection.
- It is recommended that the club / service will provide a set of printed hard copy of all inspection checklists to the Branch Gear Inspector in case of difficulties to access the Operations App.
- Where all details have been checked and confirmed as correct, the inspectors archive a file/copy of the inspection document at the Branch office, if the Operations App was not used. Note: These inspection documents may be audited by SLSNSW at any time.
- Where vessel details are found to be incorrect, the Branch gear inspector is to make the relevant amendments and return this information to the Branch, which will pass it on to SLSNSW.
- In the event that a Surf Rescue vessel is not registered with SLSNSW, SLSNSW must be notified immediately, and the entity will be required to complete a New Vessel Registration Application Form and submit to SLSNSW. Prior to use, all vessels must be registered with SLSNSW and have registration number displayed.
- If an SLSNSW entity has sold a vessel previously registered with SLSNSW the SLSNSW entity will be required to complete the vessel transfer procedure below, prior to exchanging the vessel.
Vessel Transfer Procedure (selling/gifting/disposing)
- Prior to selling/gifting/disposing of a Surf Rescue vessel the SLSNSW entity shall complete an SLSNSW Transfer of Vessel Registration Form.
- When the vessel transfer has been acknowledged by SLSNSW, the entity must remove/delete the vessel details from SurfGuard.
- Where a vessel is sold to a party external of SLSNSW, or is being disposed of, the Surf Rescue
(SR) number and all associated Surf Life Saving branding, wording and logos must be removed from the vessel prior to transaction being completed. Failure to remove SR and SLS branding may result in a penalty to the SLSNSW entity in which the SR is registered to.
Registration Numbers
Each Surf Rescue vessel shall display its registration number on both its port and starboard forward gunwales. The registration numbers shall be affixed in block letters at least 150mm in height [minimum of 100mm for Rescue Water Craft (RWC)] in either black or contrasting in colour with the hull or background.
Each SLSNSW entity (Clubs, Branches, Support Operations and Services) have been assigned unique identification characters by SLSNSW which are included in Surf Rescue registrations. This registration system requires entities to re-register any newly acquired vessel to ensure the registration reflects the correct owner identification code.
Surf Rescue Registration Number Example: S R X X 1 N
Minimum Safety Equipment
SLS vessels are exempt from carrying the full complement of minimum safety equipment that normally all vessels must carry under NSW State maritime laws.
Lifejackets (PFDs)
As of 1st October 2014, all Surf Life Saving Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) personnel (Drivers and Crew) operating IRBs both in frontline lifesaving operations and IRB training must wear an approved type (Minimum level 50) lifejacket (predominately red &/or yellow), also referred to as Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s). For the purpose of this SOP and in practice “wear” means that the lifejacket must be clipped and zipped up as per provision/design of the PFD. Licencing of Drivers/Operators.
All drivers and operators of SLSNSW rescue vessels (for strictly SLSNSW activities) shall hold* a SLSNSW Licence for the craft to which they are operating. The licence will indicate the relevant vessel:
- RWC – Rescue Water Craft
- IRB – Silver Medallion IRB Driver
- ORB – Offshore Rescue Boat Driver/Skipper
- JRB – Jet Rescue Boat Driver/Skipper
*Trainee drivers must have the minimum qualification signed off by an assessor on an Assessment Summary Form and be under the direct supervision of someone who holds a Licence.
SLSNSW RWC and IRB award holders are not required to obtain additional Services NSW boating/PWC licences due to the components of such being included with the SLS training/assessment structure. This process is endorsed and is an exemption granted by Services NSW. This exemption applies to lifesaving activities only. Patrolling, emergency response, training (not personal boating activities or activities not deemed as lifesaving operations).
Licences will be sent to members by SLSNSW when they achieve their award through SurfGuard. Award holders shall be required to carry their licences with them at all times when operating marine rescue vessels.
Marine Incidents
A ‘Marine Incident’ is a serious event and requires immediate reporting and adherence to Services NSW and SLSNSW protocols. See the Marine Incident Report Policy LS4.4.
Generally, a ‘Marine Incident’ involves events where there is:
- Collision of a surf rescue powercraft with another vessel causing damage/injury.
- Collision of a surf rescue powercraft with a member of the public causing injury.
- Injury sustained by surf life saving member from a surf rescue powercraft.
- Any injury/death caused to a member of the public or lifesaver by any public powercraft.
- A Duty Officer should be tasked to every serious marine incident.
Speed
- SLS vessels shall adhere to state regulations including exemptions regarding speed and distance to other vessels and persons in water except for when required for lifesaving activities (patrolling, emergency response, and training).
- Adherence to the vessel operating procedures (SOPs), Powercraft Code of Conduct and the application of a risk assessment approach shall always be required.
Reference
SLSNSW New Vessel Registration Application Form
SLSNSW Transfer of Vessel Registration Form
SLSNSW Witness Statement Form
SLSA Incident Report Log
Service NSW Vessel Incident Report
SLSA Powercraft Code of Conduct