SAFETY MANAGEMENT PLAN GUIDELINE CLASS 4 VESSELS

RMS Policy

Introduction
The National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Part F Leisure Craft requires operators of
Class 4 vessels to maintain, implement and monitor a safety management plan that identifies the
risks within the control of the vessel owner and provides for the management of those risks so that
unnecessary risks are avoided, risks that cannot be avoided are minimised, systems on board
craft that are essential to safety are maintained and records of events and information relevant to
safety are maintained.

The Marine Safety (Commercial Vessels) Regulation 2010 requires vessel owners to have and
implement a safety management system.

Maritime Division, Roads & Maritime Services (RMS) has developed this guideline to assist
operators of Class 4 vessels to meet these requirements.

Application of this guideline

This guideline applies to all Class 4 vessels in New South Wales that are not subject to a Hire and
Drive Licence. This includes all Class 4C vessels and Class 4D and Class 4E powered vessels
that are 7.5m or more in length.
NOTE: Hire and Drive Licences covers Class 4D and Class 4E powered vessels less than 7.5 metres in length;
unpowered vessels such as canoe, kayak, rowboat or pedalcraft; and off the beach sailing vessels that are less than
10m in length.

How to use this guideline

This guideline provides a summary of the requirements you need to implement.

RMS has also produced a number of sample documents that you can customise for your own
business. Hard copies of these documents are included in the back of this guideline to assist you
in developing your own documentation and procedures, or alternatively you can download these
as individual word documents from our website www.maritime.nsw.gov.au.

For more information

For more information phone (02) 9563 8777 between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

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1. Safety management plan

The following items are the minimum elements that must be addressed by the operator of a Class
4 vessel as part of their safety management plan.

Safety management plan

Summary of the minimum elements for a Class 4 vessel
You must
provide instructions to hirers
dispose of waste legally
keep records of all hirings for a minimum of 12 months
maintain a register of incidents, accidents and hazards
report certain marine accidents to RMS
have an emergency plan for hirers
have an emergency plan for staff
have a suitable rescue vessel available at all times
identify suitable emergency access locations
monitor sea and weather conditions and have plans in place to ensure the safety
of vessels and hirers in poor weather conditions
have a preventative vessel maintenance schedule and keep a record of all
maintenance carried out
check all vessels prior to hiring to confirm they are seaworthy
= Sample document available

These elements are described in more detail in the following pages.

Instructions to hirers

You must provide instructions to hirers.

Instructions to hirers should include a verbal briefing on key safety and operational features.

See Annex 1 Sample Checklist Instructions to Hirers.

This should be customised to suit your vessels and location.

In addition to verbal instructions an instruction manual and/or signage should be provided on

the vessel so that the hirer can check the instructions at any time.

Hirers must be made aware of any risks associated with the hire. Such risks should be
identified, assessed and addressed in the Instructions to Hirers.

Particular attention should be paid to risks that specifically apply to children such as climbing,
clearances under railings, kitchen and BBQ equipment and the need for constant supervision
in such an environment.

In addition to issuing Instructions to Hirers, you should ensure that a copy of the RMS
Information for Hirers document is displayed in a conspicuous place near the main control
point of the vessel. You should include this information in your Instructions to Hirers.

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 See copy of RMS Information for Hirers.

Environment protection

Grey water and sewage

You must have a waste management plan and dispose of all waste legally

Grey water and sewage must be disposed of in accordance with the Protection of the
Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) and the Marine Pollution Regulation 2006.

NOTE: It is illegal to pollute NSW waterways

Administration and record keeping

Hirer records

You must keep records of all hirings.

Hirer records must be retained for a minimum of 12 months. They should include:

Primary hirer:

Name and address

A contact number

General:

Name or number of vessel;

Date and time of departure;

Date and time of return;

The number of other people on board

The number of the hirers general boat diving licence or PWC licence, if applicable;

A signed acknowledgement of the companies Instructions to Hirers.

See Annex 2 Sample Hirer Record Sheet

Incidents, accidents and hazards

You must maintain a register of incidents, accidents and hazards.

The register should be reviewed regularly and corrective actions taken to reduce the
likelihood and severity of incidents and accidents.

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 Operators are encouraged to adopt the practices set out within Hazpak A guide to basic risk
management, a WorkCover NSW publication for this purpose.

See Annex 3 Sample Incident /Injury Report Form

See Annex 4 Sample Hazard Report Form

A copy of Hazpak A Practical Guide to Basic Risk Management can be

downloaded at www.workcover.nsw.gov.au

Reportable incidents

You must report certain marine accidents to RMS.

A marine incident or accident is reportable to RMS if it results in or, could have possibly
resulted in:

The loss of life or injury to any person onboard a vessel;

The loss of a person from the vessel

The loss of life or injury to a person that is caused by the vessel;

The loss, or presumed loss of the vessel (including sinking or abandonment of the vessel);

The capsizing, grounding or flooding of the vessel;

The collision of the vessel with another vessel or with any object;

The vessel being disabled at sea (in any case in which it requires assistance);

Any fire onboard the vessel;

Any damage being caused to the vessel (including structural failure);

Any damage to the environment caused by the vessel or by any substance on, or discharge
from, the vessel; or

Any incident that causes danger of any of the above.

You are required to notify RMS of such incidents as soon as practicable by the quickest
means available.

RMS has an incident report form available to assist in making reports.

RMS Vessel Incident Reports can be downloaded from

www.maritime.nsw.gov.au.

Emergency management

Emergency management plan - hirers

You must have an emergency management plan in place for hirers.

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 The emergency management plan should include:

Identification of local hazards such as submerged objects and shipping lanes:

Emergency access locations;

Emergency contact numbers;

Location and use of emergency safety equipment

See Annex 5 Sample Emergency PlanXYZ Holiday

Emergency management plan operators

You must have an emergency management plan for staff.

You must identify possible emergency situations and have an appropriate emergency
response planned.

NOTE: Emergency situations that require a prepared response would include medical emergencies, breakdowns,
collisions, groundings, fires, explosions etc.

Rescue vessel

You must have a suitable rescue vessel available at all times.

The vessel should be a power driven vessel capable of rescuing those onboard a hired vessel
and/or towing a hired vessel.

Dinghy or tender

Dinghy or tender must be under a H & D Licence.

If you offer a dinghy or tender as an optional extra to the hirer, you must ensure that the
dinghy or tender is under Hire and Drive Licence. For further information on the process of
getting H & D Licence, see our website (http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/ ).

Emergency access locations

You must identify suitable emergency access locations.
Consider the nature and size of the designated hire area and the capabilities of Emergency
Services within the region.

Generally sites that have wharf and/or vehicle access and are easily identifiable by the hirer
are preferred.

Emergency access locations should be marked on a map that is easily identified and able to
be read from the main control point of the vessel.

Emergency access locations should be provided in the Instructions to Hirers.

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 Adverse conditions

You must monitor sea and weather conditions and have plans in place to ensure the safety
of vessels and hirers in poor weather conditions.

Plans may include cancelling hire arrangements when weather is poor, recalling hired vessels
to base, assisting hirers to seek shelter, securing vessels or piloting vessels back to base.

Maintenance

General maintenance

You must have a preventative vessel maintenance schedule and keep a record of all
maintenance carried out.

This assists in tracking problem equipment and ensuring that a vessel is in a safe condition all
year round.

Consider using a maintenance schedule to aid planning, budgeting and executing

maintenance tasks in addition to recording maintenance work completed.

See Annex 6 Sample Schedule of Maintenance Items

Pre hire check

You must check all vessels prior to hiring to confirm they are seaworthy

A standard checklist of items to be inspected should be prepared.

Annex 7 Sample Pre-Hire Vessel Checklist

2. Related information
Reference documents: RMS Safety Management Plan Guideline for Class 4 Vessels
Published: May 2012
Admin Instruction replaces: Safety Management Plan Guideline for Class 4 Vessels May
2012
Changes undertaken on this document is solely for re-branding purposes. (August 2012)

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 Sample Documents

Electronic copies of all of these documents are available for

downloading from www.maritime.nsw.gov.au

Please note that these samples are provided for advice only and must
be customised for your particular circumstances

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Annex 1 Sample Checklist Instructions to Hirers

Date: Vessel:
Hirer: Reference:

General Arrangement
Railings and chains must be secured whilst underway
Children must be supervised at all times
Bow-riding not permitted
Deck hatches to remain secure
No persons to be on swim platform or beyond the stern railings while engines running
Location and wearing of life jackets
Disposal of sewage and grey water
Communication between vessel and base

Controls and Safety

Machinery/pumping systems/alarms/gauges

Fuel

Fire extinguishers

First aid kit

Emergency plan

Reporting accidents

RMS Instructions for Hirers

Navigation

Manoeuvring / passing/basic right of way rules/ lights

Swimmers in the water /avoiding propeller strike

Watch-keeping

Anchor operation / mooring / berthing / use of gangways

Call up for pilot when approaching wharf

Hirer orientated by: ______________________________

The points contained in this checklist have been explained to me and I understand the instructions for
hire of the vessel.

Hirers Name: _______________________ Signature:____________________________

Information for Hirers

Boating Safety

Never venture out of the area designated by the hire operator.

Always keep a proper look out. When navigating in areas with considerable traffic or in close
quarters to other vessels have another person assist you in keeping a look out.

Always ensure engines are off before swimmers enter the water and remain off until all swimmers
are back onboard. Avoid any areas where there are swimmers in the water. Avoid swimming in
confined areas such as between the pontoons of a houseboat as the air here can be toxic.

Dont swim, snorkel or dive in areas of the river that might be used by high speed craft as you cant
easily be seen by the boat drivers.

Never sit on or have any part of your body over the front, side or rear of the vessel when it is
underway. Bow riding is extremely dangerous.

Children must be supervised at all times.

It is a good practice to wear personal flotation devices (PFDs) in heightened risk situations.
Children and non-swimmers should be encouraged to wear PFDs in open areas of the craft. When
using a dinghy or tender, all occupants should wear PFDs.

Ensure that the anchor light is on when anchored from sunset to sunrise. If you are anchored in a
busy area show additional lights and keep a good look out.

Be aware of the risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colourless and
odourless gas produced when carbon based fuel, such as diesel, gasoline, propane, charcoal, or oil
burn. Sources on a boat include engine exhaust, gas stoves and fridges and water heaters

You must report any incident or accident involving the vessel to RMS using the Vessel Incident
Report form which can be downloaded from the RMS website

Drugs & Alcohol

It is an offence to operate a vessel under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

The blood alcohol limit for operating a vessel is 0.05 if you are over 18 or 0.00 if you are under 18;
the same as for driving a car.

Police and RMS Boating Safety Officers patrol New South Wales waterways. Operators of vessels
underway may be subject to random breath testing. A vessel operator includes anyone who is
steering or exercising control over a vessel.

Heavy penalties, including imprisonment, could be faced by any vessel operators found to be over
the blood alcohol limit.
Annex 2 Sample Hirer Record Sheet

Date Vessel

Departure Departure
time date

Return time Return

date

PRIMARY HIRER

Surname Given
name

Address

Telephone Mobile

Boat licence
number

HIRE PARTY DETAILS

Surname Given names

Annex 3 Sample Incident / Injury Report Form

Please print clearly and tick the correct box

Person Employee Contractor Passenger

affected:
Outcome: Near miss Injury Vessel Id: __________________________

1. DETAILS OF INJURED PERSON

Name:________________________________________________ Phone: (H) (W)

Address:_____________________________________________________ Sex: M F

______________________________________________________________ Date of birth:__________________________

______________________________________________________________ Position:_______________________________

2. DETAILS OF INCIDENT

Date:_________________________ Time:__________________________________

Location:____________________________________________________________________________________________

Describe what happened and how:______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. DETAILS OF WITNESSES

Name: _______________________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. DETAILS OF INJURY

Nature of injury (eg burn, cut, sprain)_______________________________________________________________

Cause of injury (eg fall, grabbed by person)_________________________________________________________

Location on body (eg back, left forearm)_____________________________________________________________

5. TREATMENT ADMINISTERED

First Aid given Yes No

Name of person providing first aid:__________________________________________________________________

Treatment:__________________________________________________________________________________________

Referred to:_________________________________________________________________________________________
Annex 4 Sample Hazard Report Form

Please print clearly

DETAILS

Vessel: Location:

Submitted by: Date Reported:

HAZARD DESCRIPTION

POSSIBLE SOLUTION(S) TO RECTIFY HAZARD

ACTION(S) COMPLETED

CONTROL MEASURES EMPLOYED

REVIEW (Suitable timeframe to review control measures to ensure that they are effective)

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Annex 5 Sample Emergency PlanXYZ Holiday
IN THE EVENT OF AN
EMERGENCY
1. Contact Police, Fire and Ambulance if
necessary
2. Contact XYZ Holidays
3. Contain emergency situation and follow
directions from XYZ Holidays and / or Police,
Fire, Ambulance
COMMUNICATION
1. Police, Fire & Ambulance: 000 or 112 if calling
from an international mobile phone
2. XYZ Holidays 24hr mobile:
_________________
3. VHF Radio: Ensure radio is set to channel __ ,
press button on the side of the microphone to
talk and release to listen
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
Fire Extinguishers: Located next to the
main control point and near to the rear
entry
Fire Blanket: Located in the Galley to
the side of the fridge
First Aid Kit: Located in the cupboard
under the main control point
EMERGENCY ACCESS
LOCATIONS
1. XYZ Holidays Squiggle Wharf Longnose
Road, Montegue
2. Ramsey Point 18 Notts Close, Leston (Note:
this is a private property and wharf and can be
identified by the blue boatshed)
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Annex 6 Sample Schedule of Maintenance Items

NB: This schedule of maintenance items is generic and should be altered to suit a particular vessel and organisation.

Area Item Detail Frequency of service / inspection

Ladders, Ensure ladders and stairs are

General
stairs secure and tread is not worn
Arrangement smooth.
Guard rails Ensure rails/wires are in good
condition (no broken strands) and
stanchions are secure.
Deck Ensure non skid finish and in
surfaces good condition.
Toilets, Ensure these facilities are
showers operational, in good condition and
and hand hygienic.
basins
LPG system Ensure safety shut-off is
operational and system is
working properly.
Sullage / Ensure no leaks.
sewage
tanks
Waste Ensure pipes are operational and
pipes in good condition.
Main and Service regularly.
Machinery
auxiliary
engines
 Area Item Detail Frequency of service / inspection

Electrical Low Visually inspect the electrical

Voltage installation, including; plugs,
socket, extension leads, and
(240 / 415
portable equipment. Check for
volts)
mechanical damage, corrosion,
system
watertight integrity of fittings in
exposed locations and exposed
wiring.

Extra Low Batteries: check the general

Voltage condition, tightness of terminals
and electrolyte levels of wet cells
(12 / 24
volt) Inspect the complete electrical
installation. Check for
battery
cleanliness, mechanical damage,
supplied
corrosion, watertight integrity of
system
fittings in exposed locations and
exposed wiring or terminals.

Safety Lifejackets Inspect overall condition of

jackets including straps and
list type
reflective tape. Where buoyant
material has hardened or
flattened, jacket to be discarded.
Check that jackets are readily
accessible.
 Area Item Detail Frequency of service / inspection

Fire Fighting Fire Renew batteries if applicable,

detectors check operability.

Portable Service in accordance with

fire manufacturer's recommendation.
extinguishe
Check pressure gauges during
rs
pre-departure checks. Shake dry
powder units regularly to ensure
powder has not compacted.

Structure Hull Paint underwater areas at each

protection slipping and topsides if
necessary, Replace or fit
additional anodes if necessary.
Annex 7 Sample Pre-Hire Vessel Checklist

Date: Vessel:

Completed by:

Cabin

Fire extinguishers

First aid kit

Information for hirer

Emergency plan

VHF radio

Helm gauges and controls

Lifejackets

Mechanical & Plant

Bilges

Fuel tanks full

Fresh water full

Sullage tank empty

Engines only start in neutral

Generator

LPG bottle

Decks

Railings in good repair

Anchor equipment

Navigation lights working

General

Deck lights working

Kitchen in good order

Published by Maritime Division

Roads & Maritime Services

Locked Bag 5100

Camperdown NSW 1450

www.maritime.nsw.gov.au

Version August 2012