Commercial Vessel Classification

Commercial vessels can be classified into four different categories:

• Class 1 - Passenger vessels, ie. vessels carrying more than 12 passengers,
• Class 2 - Trading vessels, ie. Tugboats, Barges, vessels that may carry up to 12 passengers,
• Class 3 - Fishing vessels,
• Class 4 - Hire and drive vessels.

They are also classified by their area of operation, as follows:

• "A" Area - An Unlimited area of operation,
• "B" Area - Offshore operations to 200 nautical miles of the coast,
• "C" Area - Restricted offshore operations within a range of 30 nautical miles from "D" area waters or mainland coast,
• "D" Area - Operations within gazetted partially smooth waters,
• "E" Area - Operations within gazetted smooth waters (generally inland waters).

1. Vessels may be restricted to lesser limits if crew/passengers are not appropriately berthed.
2. The geographical limits of smooth waters and partially smooth waters are defined in schedule 1 of the Western Australian Marine (Certificates of Competency and Safety Manning) Regulations 1983