Garbage pollution prevention documents and signage

Under the Marine Pollution Act 2012 No.5 (MPA), owners and masters of Domestic Commercial Vessels (DCV) and  recreational vessels, must ensure that garbage is disposed of responsibly in shore-based reception facilities, and never overboard.

All recreational vessels greater than 12 metres in length, as well as DCVs (depending on the size and number of passengers), may also be required to carry:

• garbage placard (or sticker)
• garbage management plan
• garbage record book.

Stickers and plans are available from Service NSW and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

Garbage placards, or stickers, are mandatory for:

• any vessel (both recreational and DCV) of 12 metres or more in length.

They inform both the passengers and the crew that it is illegal to throw or otherwise dispose of garbage overboard.

These placards must be displayed on the vessel where they are visible for both crew and passengers.

Applicable vessels must display at least one garbage placard/sticker. 

See Boating safety resources for stickers and labels.

Garbage management plans are mandatory for:

• vessels of gross tonnage 100 and above
• vessels certified to carry 15 or more people.

Garbage management plans must include the vessel's complete written procedures for minimising, collecting, storing, processing and disposing of garbage (including any relevant onboard equipment).

The plan must be written in English and identify the person in charge of carrying out the plan.

Download the garbage management plan template to create a garbage management plan.

Garbage record books are required for:

• vessels of gross tonnage 400 and above
• vessels certified to carry 15 or more people.

The master and owner of a vessel are exempt from this requirement if: 

• a vessel is certified to carry 15 or more people and they have a waiver where a voyage is an hour or less in duration.An application for waiver by the owner or master can be made to Transport for NSW Maritime by emailing DCVSafety@transport.nsw.gov.au.
• the ship is a recreational vessel with a gross tonnage of less than 400 that is not on an overseas voyage.

If you're intending on taking your vessel on an international voyage, additional requirements relating to MARPOL Annex V (Garbage) Discharges will apply.

For more information, see the AMSA website.