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National Standard for Commercial Vessels
The NSCV has been developed progressively and work continues to complete the standard.
What is the National Standard for Commercial Vessels?
The National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) is the principal technical standard for commercial vessels and will gradually replace the Uniform Shipping Laws (USL) Code. It provides a common national standard for the design, construction, crewing and operation of vessels.
To Which Vessels does it apply?
State-based legislation specifies the standards applying to commercial vessels. The NSCV is being introduced progressively in all jurisdictions. To see which sections of the NSCV apply in 2008, go to Legislated Standards -> Commercial Vessels -> Combined USL/NSCV 2008.
How does it differ from the USL Code?
The following table provides a quick reference to the contents of the NSCV and the USL Code.
How the NSCV compares with the USL code |
National Standard for Commercial Vessels |
Uniform Shipping Laws Code |
| Part A Safety Obligations | NEW |
| Part B General Requirements | Section 1 |
| Part C Design & Construction | |
| Section 1 Arrangement, Accommodation & Personal Safety | Section 6, Section 5 Sub-section C, D & E |
| Section 2 Watertight & Weather Tight Integrity | Section 5 Subsection C & D, Section 7 |
| Section 3 Construction | Section 5 Subsection A, B, G, H, K, L, M |
| Section 4 Fire Safety | Section 5 Subsection F, Section 11 |
| Section 5 Engineering | Section 9, New Subsection for LPG for engines |
| Section 6 Stability | Section 8, Subsection A, B, C, Section 5 Subsection C |
| Section 7 Equipment | Section 10, 12, 13, 16 |
| Part D Crew Competencies | Sections 2 & 3 |
| Part E Operational Practices | Section 15 |
| Part F Special Vessels | |
| Section 1 Fast Craft | NEW |
| Section 2 Hire and Drive | Section 18 |
| Section 3 Novel Vessels | NEW |
The National Standard for Commercial Vessels has been written to allow flexibility in application. It does this by specifying performance to be achieved in the form of required outcomes. While the required outcomes are mandatory, the means of satisfying the required outcomes are not fixed. In applying the standard, a person may chose to apply the “deemed to satisfy” solution, which is the prescriptive technical solution provided in the NSCV, or an “equivalent performance-based solution” proposed by the applicant.
How can I be involved?
At the commencement of the review of a section of the USL Code the NMSC normally releases an issues paper and may call a public workshop to identify major issues that the review needs to address. Preparation of a draft standard is undertaken by the Secretariat with input from the NMSC, and reference group. The draft is then released for public comment.
To see which documents are currently available for public comment click here
To see which documents have been reviewed in the past click here
To see which documents have been approved by the Australian Transport Council (ATC) click here
