As previously mentioned on the forum, tenders are exempt from registration if:
1) Power is 5HP of less - NSW
2) Power is 4HP or less - QLD

The QLD transport site says that, if your tender power > 4HP, BUT you mark it as a "Tender" to your main vessel and remain within 2nm from it ...(and some other conds), then you don't need to register it.

Question: Does this "marked as a tender to your main vessel" exemption apply to NSW, VIC, TAS and WA as well?

I did have a look at the NSW Transport site, but couldn't see any mention of that exemption.

Thanks

LooseChange said..

Further reading from the MSQ site states that if your tender is less than 3kW then the operating distance from your ship is unlimited. Strange place.

Well it appears that it would be the case for all states - if a dinghy sized vessel is powered by an outboard under, say 4HP or 5HP, then no registration is needed irrespective of whether it is used as a tender to a mother vessel or not.

Now if you're over the motor size limit, but use the tender ONLY to get to/from the registered mother ship, it seems reasonable to be allowed to operate under the umbrella of the mother ship's registration.

I can see it is true for QLD, but am enquiring which other states it is true for?

I would have thought it might be true for all states because sailboats and yachts frequently travel across state borders.

If it was NOT the case, a QLD sailboat visiting NSW for under 3 months with a 8HP tender may have to register the tender while in NSW (whilst back in QLD it is allowed as a "mothership umbrella tender"). Would appear to be too onerous to make sense.

LooseChange said..
WA & SA make no allowances for tenders, if it has a motor, it has to be registered and it needs to comply with all other registration needs as applies to any other motor boat. By that reasoning then it must follow that as the boat is not a tender you must be allowed to operate it where and when you want without any restrictions in relation to the mother ship.

Boats registered in other states or countries are extended a courtesy to be able to operate away from their home port of registration without incurring any fees as long as the vessel is in constant registration and you don't overstay your welcome in the area you are visiting.

In WA if your tender is no more than 3.1m and no more than than 5hp, ship to shore transport only, it does not need to be registered.

FreeRadical said..

In WA if your tender is no more than 3.1m and no more than than 5hp, ship to shore transport only, it does not need to be registered.

Good to know - thanks for chipping in.

Anyone in VIC or TAS that knows what exemptions apply to tenders and/or low-HP dinghies?

SA is different as they see no difference between vessels whether tender or not. I am intending on confirming this one way or another as all they seem to want is dollars.

Direct from their website

"All vessels with an engine must be registered to travel in South Australian waters. This includes sailing and row boats fitted with an auxiliary engine and vessels fitted with an electric motor.
An exemption from the registration requirements may be granted by the Chief Executive, Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure for kayaks and canoes fitted with an electric motor of not more than 150 newtons.

If you're visiting from interstate and your vessel is registered in another State or Territory, your interstate registration will be recognized for a period of 90 days, after which you'll need to apply for South Australian registration.
Listing on the Australian Register of Ships does not satisfy the registration requirement (this registration is for vessels travelling overseas)."


As usual our state is dollar driven ..... but not going near the politics argument.