Scope of the certificates
Governing: Marine Order 505 (2022), Compilation No. 2, Schedule 1; NSCV Part B dictionary. Builds on: Australia: AMSA, the National Law and STCW.
Sailing Master Coastal NC and Sailing Master Offshore NC arrived with the reissued Marine Order 505 on 1 January 2023. AMSA's change summary describes them as new certificates that let a holder of a commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster obtain an Australian certificate of competency, issued under an MOU with the RYA. They are the domestic route for sail charter, sail training and delivery skippers.
Side by side
| Sailing Master Coastal NC | Sailing Master Offshore NC | |
|---|---|---|
| Command, and operate the engines, of | a sailing vessel <24 m | a sailing vessel <24 m |
| Propulsion power | <100 kW | <100 kW |
| Area | Inshore waters | <EEZ |
| Passengers | as the vessel is certified | no more than 12 when outside inshore waters |
| Chief mate / deck watchkeeper | sailing vessel <45 m in inshore waters | sailing vessel <45 m <EEZ |
| Tender | tender for the vessel under the master's command, <100 kW | same |
| Also | GPH NC duties | GPH NC duties |
The definitions that matter
- Sailing vessel (NSCV Part B): a vessel designed for and capable of undertaking a voyage when propelled by sail alone. A motor-sailer that cannot make a passage under sail is not one.
- Inshore waters (MO 505): inland waters plus waters landward of the limits for inshore operations — laterally along the coast within 15 nm to seaward of the baseline of the mainland, Tasmania or a recognised island, or sheltered waters limits.
- <EEZ: inland waters and waters to the outer limits of Australia's exclusive economic zone.
- Passenger vessel (NSCV Part B): a vessel carrying, or certified to carry, more than 12 passengers. The Offshore certificate's 12-passenger ceiling outside inshore waters keeps an offshore Sailing Master out of passenger-vessel command beyond 15 nm.
CAUTION — the certificate is not the vessel's survey Your certificate limits what you may command. The vessel's certificate of operation and survey limit where it may go and how many it may carry. Take the lower of the two.
What it does not cover
- Power vessels. A Sailing Master cannot command a motor vessel, however small, except the tender.
- Sailing vessels 24 m and over — that needs a Master <45 m NC or higher (see Master <45 m and <100 m Near Coastal).
- Foreign-flag or Navigation Act vessels. On a foreign-flag sailing yacht, flag-state certificates apply.
Where you will use it
- Day-sail and multi-day charters in the Whitsundays, Sydney Harbour, Port Phillip and the Gold Coast
- Sail-training vessels under 24 m
- Commercial deliveries within the EEZ
- Mate or watchkeeper on a larger sailing vessel (<45 m)
Conditions
As with every MO 505 master certificate, colour deficient vision restricts you to daylight hours. The certificate must be carried on board.