Applying for a Crewing Exemption

• Coxswain Certificate of Competency Exemptions
• Master Class 5/Skipper Grade 3 Certificate of Competency Exemptions
• Engineering Certificates of Competency Exemptions

CREWING EXEMPTIONS are only issued in EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Occasionally, commercial vessel owners may find themselves in situations where they are unable to fulfil the determined crewing levels, such as:

• The sudden illness or injury of a crew member.
• Inability to employ or replace qualified crew on short notice.
• Acquisition of a new vessel with a higher propulsion power rating or a vessel longer in length than that of the qualifications currently held.

Applications for crewing exemptions for deck crew are limited to Certificates of Competency as: 

• Coxswain.
• Master Class 5/Skipper Grade 3.

Coxswain Certificate of Competency exemptions

Exemption applications can only be made by the owner of the vessel, on behalf of the person that needs exemption.

If the person that needs exemption has not undertaken a Coxswain course:

• They must have enrolled or commenced their Coxswain course.
• Evidence of payment of the course fees must be produced.
• They must pass an oral exam.

Those who have undertaken a Coxswain course:

• They must produce the Coxswain Statement of Attainment.
• They must book in for an oral exam and provide evidence of the exam date.

Requirements for all exemptions:

• The appropriate fee must be paid for the issuance of the exemption.
• The vessel must be ‘in survey’ in South Australia.

The person that needs the exemption must supply:

• A Certificate in Elements of Shipboard Safety or Occupational Health and Safety at Sea.
• A current Certificate of Medical Fitness.
• A current Senior First Aid Certificate. The department will not accept expired first aid certificates. If expired, they will need to arrange a refresher course.

Restrictions that apply to this certificate are:

• The vessel is restricted to Inshore Operations up to a maximum of 15 nautical miles from the coast.
• The vessel must be less than 12 metres in length.
• The exemption will be granted for up to 6 months.  

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Master Class 5/Skipper Grade 3 Certificate of Competency exemptions

Exemption applications can only be made by the owner of the vessel, on behalf of the person that needs exemption.

If the person that needs exemption has not undertaken a Master Class 5/Skipper Grade 3 course:

• They must have enrolled or commenced their Master Class 5/Skipper Grade 3 course. Evidence of payment of the course fees must be produced .
• They must pass an oral exam.

Those who have undertaken a Master Class 5/Skipper Grade 3 course:

• They must produce the Master Class 5/Skipper Grade 3 Statement of Attainment.
• They must book in for an oral exam and provide evidence of exam date.

Requirements for all exemptions:

• The appropriate fee must be paid for the issuance of the exemption.
• The person who is nominated to command the vessel must hold an unrestricted Coxswain Certificate of Competency.
• The vessel must be ‘in survey’ in South Australia.

The person that needs the exemption must supply:

• A current Certificate of Medical Fitness.
• A Current Senior First Aid Certificate. The department will not accept expired first aid certificates. If expired, they will need to contact arrange a refresher course.
• A Certificate in Elements of Shipboard Safety or Occupational Health and Safety at Sea.
• A Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP).

Restrictions that apply to all certificates are:

• The vessel is restricted to a maximum of 15 nautical miles (Inshore Operations) from the coast.
• The vessel must be less than 13 metres in length.
• The exemption will be granted for a maximum period of up to 6 months.  

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Engineering Certificates of Competency exemptions

Exemption applications can only be applied for by the owner of the vessel, on behalf of the person that needs exemption.

If the person that needs exemption has not undertaken either a Marine Engine Driver 3, Marine Engine Driver 2, Marine Engine Driver 1 or Engineer Class 3 course:

• They must have enrolled or commenced the relevant course.
• Evidence of payment of the course fees must be produced.
• They must pass a basic oral examination with DPTI.
• A practical exam will be required for an Engineer Class 3.

Those who have undertaken either a Marine Engine Driver 3, Marine Engine Driver 2, Marine Engine Driver 1 or Engineer Class 3 course:

• Must produce a Statement of Attainment for the relevant course.
• Must book in for an oral exam and provide evidence of exam date.

Requirements for all exemptions:

• The appropriate fee must be paid for the issuance of the exemption.
• The person who is nominated as Chief Engineer or assistant engineer of the vessel must hold an unrestricted Certificate of Competency one level lower than the exemption applied for. For example, the holder of an Marine Engine Driver 2 can be nominated for an Marine Engine Driver 1 exemption, but cannot be nominated for an Engineer Class 3 exemption.
• The vessel must be ‘in survey’ in South Australia.

The person that needs the exemption must supply:

• A current Certificate of Medical Fitness.
• A Current Senior First Aid Certificate. The department will not accept expired first aid certificates. If expired, they will need to arrange a refresher course.
• A Certificate in Elements of Shipboard Safety or Occupational Health and Safety at Sea.

Restrictions that apply to this certificate are:

• The vessel may be issued with operational area restriction. Each case will be determined on application.
• The exemption will be granted for a period of up to 6 months.  

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