Boat Surveys
We provide COFs (Certificate of Fitness) for sports and recreation vessels under nine meters in length.
Vessels require to be surveyed on a yearly basis and the following information should be read, documentation should be available and checklists need to be completed.
- The fire extinguisher (expires yearly) and the flares (expire every three years) need to be checked every year to see if they have been serviced or are in good order respectively.
- For Vessels with galleys, they would require an additional fire extinguisher and a gas installation certificate.
- The following documentation should be available for inspection upon the surveyors arrival
- previous certificate of fitness
- in date buoyancy certificate - a copy of which the surveyor must keep
- survey forms completed (can be completed digitally with Adobe fill and sign function) see forms below
- The vessel must have a registration number visible on both sides of the vessel, in contrasting colours to the vessel and at least 100mm high for seagoing boats and 75mm for inland waters.
- By setting out all the safety equipment and having the vessel positioned for easy and safe access, the survey process will be much quicker.
To access the latest required survey forms, download from the following
(Use Adobe fill and sign function for completing the form digitally)
Category R - for sheltered water - restricted to lagoons, rivers, dams, port, fishing harbour, tidal river, estuary and all inland waters
Category E - for up to one nautical mile
Category D - for up to 5 nautical miles (requires VHF radio to be licensed)
Category C - for up to 15 nautical miles (requires VHF radio to be licensed) - this document is interactive and requires to be downloaded.
Category B - for up to 40 nautical miles (requires VHF radio to be licensed)
Regulation 37 (unregulated vessels) - for cat R, E, D
To view a you tube video with all the category R requirements click below..