Marine Designs
Buoyancy information for vessels less than six metres
Basic flotation means that the boat will float in some form if swamped. If the boat has capsized, it will remain afloat for you to possibly cling on to the upturned hull.Level flotation means that the boat will continue to float in a level position if swamped and will be prevented from capsizing in calm water. This will allow you to remain in the boat and bail the vessel to remove the water.
Please note the above diagrams are illustrative only and apply in calm water.
The information supplied on the plate will enable boat users to make more informed decisions when purchasing, as well as encouraging appropriate and responsible use of boats.
Who is a competent person?
A competent person is defined as being a person who has acquired through training, qualification, experience, or a combination of these, the knowledge and skills to enable that person to competently determine and approve the information on a builders plate. Any person approving the information on the plate is assuming responsibility for the information on that plate.
What type of boats need an Australian Builders Plate?
The Australan Builders Plate will apply to:
- all recreational vessels
- all commercial and fishing vessels that are exempt from registration under the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 2004 that are constructed after 28 September 2006.
In most circumstances an Australian Builders Plate will apply to inflatable boats unless the vessel already has a plate affixed in accordance with the European Directive 94/25/EC, or a plate attached in accordance with the requirements of the United States National Marine Manufacturers Association and set out in their certification handbook.
What type of boats are not required to have an Australian Builders Plate?
- a second hand vessel
- an amphibious vehicle
- a canoe, kayak, or surf ski designed to be powered by paddle
- a pedal powered boat
- a rowing shell used for racing or rowing training
- a sailboard or sail kite or other similar ship
- a surf row boat
- a hydrofoil or hovercraft
- a sailing vessel
- a submersible
- an aquatic toy
- registered commercial and fishing vessels.
The Australian Builders Plate is a national initiative that will make boating safer by providing vital information about the capacity and capability of boats. The Australian Builders Plate requires boat builders, importers or competent persons to determine boat-specific information and display it on the plate in a standard format. The information that needs to be provided includes:
- recommended maximum engine power rating and engine weight for outboard engines
- recommended maximum person capacity and maximum load
- buoyancy information, for vessels under six metres
- a warning statement about the alteration of the boat.
The information provided on the plate must be determined in accordance with Australian or international standards for recreational vessel design and construction. The plate itself is a statement by the manufacturer about the vessel. There are two types of builders plate, one for boats under six metres in length and another for boats six metres or more. The key difference is that vessels under six metres need to display buoyancy information, either basic or level flotation.
The information supplied on the plate will enable boat users to make more informed decisions when purchasing, as well as encouraging appropriate and responsible use of boats. In Queensland the requirement for an Australian Builders Plate will apply to all recreational vessels and to those commercial and fishing vessels that are exempt from registration under Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 2004 that are constructed after 28 September 2006. Currently, there is a general safety obligation for these vessels however the Australian Builders Plate standard will promote awareness and increase safety standards in this area.
Why is the Australian Builders Plate being introduced?The Australian Builders Plate is a joint initiative of industry and government through the National Marine Safety Committee. A national standard was developed following an extensive consultation process which included workshops and meetings around Australia with the Australian Marine Industries Federation, boating industry associations, boat builders, manufacturers and importers.
The National Marine Safety Committee put together a regulatory impact statement for recreational vessels which highlighted that the primary vessels involved in fatalities were dinghies (57 per cent), open motor boats and half cabins. Of these tragedies, 31 per cent of the vessels were overpowered, 24 per cent were overloaded and 12 per cent of those less than six metres had inadequate stability or buoyancy.
At 36 per cent, capsize was the most common initial event in all fatal incidences. The regulatory impact statement estimated that fatal and serious injuries associated with recreational boating costs Australians about A$52 million each year. There are on average 80 deaths and nearly 1000 people admitted to hospital each year as a result of boating incidents in Australia.
We have boat plans (both yacht designs, catamaran designs and power designs) for all sizes. From the 12ft Mushulu Dinghy stitch & glue yacht tender to the Oceansky 57 catamaran. We design timber boats, plywood boats, strip plank boats, fibreglass composite boats, steel and aluminum boats to very modern styling for both monohull designs or multihull designs, powerboat or sailboat and in round bilge, multi-chine or radius chine hull forms.
We will respond immediately. At the same please visit our Boat Building forum site, to share ideas about our boats and thousands of pictures - see completed boats and many of the building steps done by builders like you.
Also, all the fiberglass supplies required to build our boats are available at Bowdidge marine Designs, delivered to your door.
Designed Boat Plans
With the best technical support: we will help you succeed!
All our plans come with full technical support and are Australian Builders plate compliant.
Marine Designs
as required under the ABP flotation standards
How do I make my boat ABP compliant and how do I get it registered?
Simple.
Build the boat as per the plans (you can change a few things to "personalize it), send us build pictures along the way showing what you've done and also that you've included the foam etc. When your close to finishing and its time to think about registering your boat, let us know and we'll tell you where to purchase a 'blank" ABP and we'll then provide the numbers to be engraved onto the plate. Its that easy and your legal. With nothing now left to do, you just walk down and register your boat !
And all this is included FOR FREE in the price of the plans.