{"id":"marine-aircushioned-vehicles-regulations-1994","name":"MARINE (AIR-CUSHIONED VEHICLES) REGULATIONS 1994","slug":"marine-air-cushioned-vehicles-regulations-1994","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":176977,"registerId":"nt-marine-aircushioned-vehicles-regulations-1994-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"MARINE (AIR-CUSHIONED VEHICLES) REGULATIONS 1994","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nMARINE (AIR-CUSHIONED VEHICLES) REGULATIONS 1994\nAs in force at 1 August 2019\nTable of provisions\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Citation ............................................................................................ 1\n2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1\n3 Definitions ........................................................................................ 1\n4 Application of Part 4 of Act .............................................................. 1\n5 Exemptions ...................................................................................... 2\nPart 3 Design and construction\n8 Design ............................................................................................. 2\n9 Buoyancy and hydrostatic stability................................................... 2\n10 Dynamic stability.............................................................................. 2\n11 Structural strength ........................................................................... 2\n12 Strength of materials ....................................................................... 3\n13 Engineering requirements for certain equipment ............................. 3\n14 Structural fire protection .................................................................. 3\n15 Passenger and crew accommodation compartment ........................ 4\n16 Safety equipment............................................................................. 4\nPart 4 Inspection and testing\n17 Construction and installation............................................................ 4\n18 Tests and trials ................................................................................ 5\nPart 5 General\n19 Securing, anchoring and mooring .................................................... 5\n20 Director to maintain codes ............................................................... 5\n21 Fees ................................................................................................ 5\n22 Offences .......................................................................................... 5\n23 Savings and transitional .................................................................. 6\nSchedule\nENDNOTES\n\n\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 1 August 2019\n____________________\nMARINE (AIR-CUSHIONED VEHICLES) REGULATIONS 1994\nRegulations under the Marine Act 1981\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Citation\nThese Regulations may be cited as the Marine (Air-Cushioned\nVehicles) Regulations 1994.\n2 Commencement\nThese Regulations shall come into operation on 1 November 1994.\n3 Definitions\nIn these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears:\napproved means approved by the Director.\nconstruct includes alter.\ndesigner means the person or organisation responsible for the\naccuracy of data and drawings and specifications submitted for the\napproval of an air-cushioned vehicle.\nitem means an item of the Schedule.\nmanufacturer means the person or organisation responsible for\nthe standards and procedures adopted during construction or\nalteration of an air-cushioned vehicle.\nVolume 1 means the publication entitled \"Standard Relating to\nDesign, Construction and Operational Safety of Dynamically\nSupported Craft in Canada. Vol. 1. Air-Cushion Vehicles\",\nDecember 1985, Revision 1.\n4 Application of Part 4 of Act\n(1) Part 4 of the Act applies to and in relation to the class of\nair-cushioned vehicles to which these Regulations apply.\n\nPart 3 Design and construction\nMarine (Air-Cushioned Vehicles) Regulations 1994 2\n(2) These Regulations apply to all air-cushioned vehicles operated in\nthe Territory.\n5 Exemptions\nThe Minister may, by notice in writing, exempt an air-cushioned\nvehicle from a requirement of these Regulations:\n(a) where the action to be taken or the provision to be made as\nregards the subject matter of the requirement is at least as\neffective as is actual compliance with the requirement; or\n(b) where the specified requirement would cause undue hardship\nbut where there will be substantial compliance with the\ngeneral requirement to the extent that the prime\nconsiderations of safety of persons on board or any other\nperson would not be impaired.\nPart 3 Design and construction\n8 Design\n(1) The design of an air-cushioned vehicle shall be consistent with the\nintended operating limitations applicable in relation to the vehicle.\n(2) The design specification shall conform to the provisions of item 3.\n9 Buoyancy and hydrostatic stability\n(1) The buoyancy and hydrostatic stability of an air-cushioned vehicle\n(including the general subdivision and watertight integrity of the\nvehicle) shall conform to the provisions of item 4.\n(2) The provisions applicable in relation to buoyancy shall be taken\ntogether with the provisions relating to design, dynamic stability,\nstructural strength and operational documentation.\n10 Dynamic stability\nThe dynamic stability of an air-cushioned vehicle shall be\nconsidered at the design stage of the vehicle in accordance with\nitem 5.\n11 Structural strength\n(1) The structural strength of an air-cushioned vehicle shall be\ncalculated in accordance with the provisions of item 6 unless an\nalternative analysis demonstrating equivalent values for the\nstructure of the vehicle is approved.\n\nPart 3 Design and construction\nMarine (Air-Cushioned Vehicles) Regulations 1994 3\n(2) Load factors and inertia forces to be used in calculating structural\nstrength shall be those applicable under the relevant standard\napplied under subregulation (1).\n12 Strength of materials\n(1) The material to be used for the rigid structure of an air-cushioned\nvehicle shall be of sufficient strength for the purpose for which the\nmember or article in question is to be used.\n(2) Where fibre reinforced plastics or composite materials are proposed\nto be used in the construction of an air-cushioned vehicle, data\nsubmitted with the application for survey shall include the\nmanufacturer's recommendations and test results obtained in\naccordance with the appropriate Australian Standard that\ncorresponds with subsection 5K of the Uniform Shipping Laws\nCode.\n(3) Material used in the construction of the flexible structure of an\nair-cushioned vehicle shall conform to the provisions in item 7.\n13 Engineering requirements for certain equipment\n(1) The engineering requirements applicable in relation to the main and\nauxiliary machinery of an air-cushioned vehicle are set out in\nitem 8.\n(2) Fans installed for lift or propulsion in an air-cushioned vehicle shall\nbe designed and tested in accordance with the provision of item 9.\n(3) Propellers of an air-cushioned vehicle shall be installed and tested\nand manufacturer's data is to be presented in accordance with the\nprovisions of item 10.\n(4) Transmission components of an air-cushioned vehicle shall\nconform to the provisions in item 11.\n(5) Bilge system of an air-cushioned vehicle shall conform to the\nprovisions in item 12.\n(6) Fuel systems of an air-cushioned vehicle, including fuel tanks, shall\nconform to the provisions in item 13.\n(7) Electrical installation of an air-cushioned vehicle shall conform to\nthe provisions in item 14.\n14 Structural fire protection\n(1) The structural fire protection system of an air-cushioned vehicle\nshall conform to the provisions in item 15.\n\nPart 4 Inspection and testing\nMarine (Air-Cushioned Vehicles) Regulations 1994 4\n(2) Notwithstanding subregulation (1), where evacuation from the\npassenger area to an open deck is not provided for, a machinery\nspace fire detection and smothering system shall be installed.\n15 Passenger and crew accommodation compartment\n(1) The design of the passenger and crew accommodation\ncompartments of an air-cushioned vehicle shall conform to the\nprovisions in item 16.\n(2) Crew stations and control arrangements of an air-cushioned vehicle\nshall conform to the provisions in item 17.\n16 Safety equipment\n(1) An air-cushioned vehicle shall carry or be fitted with:\n(a) life saving equipment in accordance with the provisions in\nitem 18;\n(b) fire appliances in accordance with the provisions in item 19;\n(c) radio equipment in accordance with the provisions in item 20;\n(d) miscellaneous equipment in accordance with the provisions in\nitem 21;\n(e) navigation lights in accordance with the provisions in item 22;\n(f) for an air-cushioned vehicle that is a class 1B, 1C, 2B, 2C, 3B\nor 3C vessel – an approved Emergency Position Indicating\nRadio Beacon having an operation frequency of 406 MHz.\n(2) For the purposes of subregulation (1)(f), approved means\napproved by:\n(a) the Director; or\n(b) the Australian Maritime Safety Authority established by the\nAustralian Maritime Safety Authority Act 1990 of the\nCommonwealth.\nPart 4 Inspection and testing\n17 Construction and installation\nThe construction of an air-cushioned vehicle shall be in accordance\nwith the provisions in item 23.\n\nPart 5 General\nMarine (Air-Cushioned Vehicles) Regulations 1994 5\n18 Tests and trials\n(1) Functional tests of an air-cushioned vehicle shall be conducted in\naccordance with the provisions in item 24.\n(2) Operational trials for the purposes of the approval of an\nair-cushioned vehicle shall be in accordance with provisions in\nitem 25.\nPart 5 General\n19 Securing, anchoring and mooring\nThe arrangements for the securing, anchoring and mooring of an\nair-cushioned vehicle shall be in accordance with the provisions in\nitem 21.\n20 Director to maintain codes\nThe Director:\n(a) shall cause a copy of every code or standard referred to in\nthese Regulations to be available for inspection by members\nof the public at the office of the Director during normal office\nhours; and\n(b) may cause copies of every code or standard referred to in\nthese Regulations to be available for purchase by members of\nthe public on payment of such charge as the Minister\ndetermines.\n21 Fees\nThe fees payable in relation to any matter or thing under a Marine\norder made under section 163 of the Marine Safety National Law\nare payable in relation to the corresponding matter or thing under\nthese Regulations.\n22 Offences\n(1) A person must not operate an air-cushioned vehicle if the design,\nconstruction and operation of the vehicle does not conform to the\nprovisions of these Regulations.\nMaximum penalty: 20 penalty units.\n(2) An offence against subregulation (1) is an offence of strict liability.\n\nPart 5 General\nMarine (Air-Cushioned Vehicles) Regulations 1994 6\n23 Savings and transitional\n(1) Notwithstanding anything in these Regulations, but subject to\nsubregulation (2), nothing in Part 3 or 4 of these Regulations\napplies to or in relation to:\n(a) an air-cushioned vehicle that was operating in the Territory at\nthe commencement of these Regulations or was constructed\nin the Territory before that commencement; or\n(b) an air-cushioned vehicle the drawings and specifications\nrelating to which were submitted for approval under a law of a\nState or Territory of the Commonwealth that corresponds to\nthese Regulations before the commencement of these\nRegulations but the construction of which was not completed\nbefore that commencement.\n(2) Where the Minister is satisfied that:\n(a) the drawings and specifications relating to the construction of\nan air-cushioned vehicle were submitted for an approval\nreferred to in subregulation (1)(b) before the commencement\nof these Regulations but the construction of the air-cushioned\nvehicle was not completed at that commencement; and\n(b) compliance with a specified requirement of these Regulations\nor a standard referred to in these Regulations would cause\nundue hardship but there will be substantial compliance with\nthe specified requirement to the extent that the prime\nconsiderations of safety of persons on the air-cushioned\nvehicle or any other person will not be impaired,\nthe Minister may exempt the air-cushioned vehicle from any of the\nrequirements of these Regulations or any standard referred to in\nthese Regulations.\n\nSchedule\nMarine (Air-Cushioned Vehicles) Regulations 1994 7\nSchedule\nregulation 3\n3 Design specification: Volume 1, Chapter 2, Design – General. To be\nconsistent with operating limitations and shall include data sheet as in\nVolume 1 Division 6 Appendix 1.\n4 Buoyancy: Volume 1, Chapter 3 – Buoyancy, Subdivision and\nHydrostatic Stability.\n5 Dynamic Stability and control: Volume 1, Chapter 4 – Dynamic\nStability and Control (including appendix to chapter 4).\n6 Structural Strength: Volume 1, Chapter 5 – Structural Strength.\n7 Materials for flexible structure: Volume 1, Chapter 6, Sections 605\nand 606.\n8 Engineering requirements for main and auxiliary machinery: Uniform\nShipping Law Code, Section 9.\n9 Fans for lift or propulsion: Volume 1, Chapter 7, Sections 740 to 746.\n10 Propellers: Volume 1, Chapter 7, sections 760 to 766.\n11 Transmission components: Volume 1, Chapter 1, sections 780 to 787.\n12 Bilge systems: Volume 1, Chapter 9, sections 950 to 959.\n13 Fuel systems including fuel tanks: Uniform Shipping Law Code,\nsection 9.\n14 Electrical installation: Uniform Shipping Law Code, section 9.\n15 Structural fire protection: Uniform Shipping Law Code, section 5,\nsubsection F.\n16 Design of passenger and crew accommodation compartments\nVolume 1, Chapter 11 – Compartment Design.\n17 Crew stations and control arrangements: Volume 1, Chapter 12,\nControl Stations, Monitoring and Alarms.\n18 Life saving equipment: Uniform Shipping Law Code, section 10.\n19 Fire appliances: Uniform Shipping Law Code, section 11.\n20. Radio equipment: Uniform Shipping Law Code, section 12.\n\nSchedule\nMarine (Air-Cushioned Vehicles) Regulations 1994 8\n21 Miscellaneous equipment: Uniform Shipping Law Code, section 13;\nSecuring, Anchoring and Mooring arrangements shall be in accordance\nwith Volume 1 Chapter 13.\n22 Navigation lights: Volume 1, Chapter 14, sections 1470 to 1477.\n23 Construction and installation: Volume 1, Division 3, Chapter 1 and\nChapter 2, sections 3200, 3201, 3206 and Chapter 3.\n24 Functional tests: Volume 1, Division 4, Part A and Part B.\n25 Operational trials: Volume 1, Division 4, Part C and Part D.\n\nENDNOTES\nMarine (Air-Cushioned Vehicles) Regulations 1994 9\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY\nKey to abbreviations\namd = amended od = order\napp = appendix om = omitted\nbl = by-law pt = Part\nch = Chapter r = regulation/rule\ncl = clause rem = remainder\ndiv = Division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired rep = repealed\nf = forms s = section\nGaz = Gazette sch = Schedule\nhdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision\nins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation\nlt = long title sub = substituted\nnc = not commenced\n2 LIST OF LEGISLATION\nMarine (Air-Cushioned Vehicles) Regulations (SL No. 39, 1994)\nNotified 1 November 1994\nCommenced 1 November 1994 (r 2)\nAmendments of Marine (Air-Cushioned Vehicles) Regulations (SL No. 4, 2001)\nNotified 2 April 2001\nCommenced 2 April 2001\nStatute Law Revision Act 2003 (Act No. 12, 2003)\nAssent date 18 March 2003\nCommenced 18 March 2003\nMarine Amendment Regulations 2007 (SL No. 38, 2007)\nNotified 19 December 2007\nCommenced 1 February 2009 (r 2)\nMarine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2013\n(Act No. 11, 2013)\nAssent date 29 May 2013\nCommenced 1 July 2013 (Gaz S24, 25 June 2013)\nPenalties Amendment (Miscellaneous) Act 2013 (Act No. 23, 2013)\nAssent date 12 July 2013\nCommenced 28 August 2013 (Gaz G35, 28 August 2013, p 2)\nTransport Legislation Amendment Regulations 2019 (SL No. 11, 2019)\nNotified 1 July 2019\nCommenced 1 August 2019 (r 2)\n\nENDNOTES\nMarine (Air-Cushioned Vehicles) Regulations 1994 10\n3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation\nAmendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: r 1.\n4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\nr 4 amd Act No. 11, 2013, s 66\npt 2 hdg rep Act No. 11, 2013, s 66\nrr 6 – 7 rep Act No. 11, 2013, s 66\nr 12 amd Act No. 11, 2013, s 66\nr 16 amd No. 4, 2001, r 1; No. 38, 2007, r 4\nr 20 amd Act No. 12, 2003, s 19\nr 21 amd Act No. 11, 2013, s 66\nr 22 amd No. 4, 2001, r 2; Act No. 23, 2013, s 4\nsub No. 11, 2019, r 6\nsch amd Act No. 11, 2013, s 66","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available information, the regulations appear to remain focused on their original intended purpose: regulating air-cushioned vehicles (hovercraft) in a marine context. The 2019 commencement date likely reflects a reprint or administrative update rather than a fundamental change in scope. No evidence of scope expansion or contraction is apparent from the metadata provided."},"complexity_factors":["Highly specialised subject matter (air-cushioned vehicles/hovercraft) that sits at the intersection of maritime and transport law","Requires understanding of the parent Marine Act to interpret these regulations properly","The document provided contains almost no substantive regulatory content — only metadata — making meaningful analysis severely limited","Potential overlap with road traffic and aviation regulatory regimes given the hybrid nature of hovercraft","Administered by the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure, suggesting possible interaction with broader transport frameworks"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations govern the use of air-cushioned vehicles (hovercraft) in marine waterways, clarifying how they must be operated, registered, and managed in an environment where standard maritime rules may not fit. They matter to hovercraft owners, operators, commercial users, and harbour authorities because they define which marine safety and operational rules apply to these hybrid vessels."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has undergone significant scope evolution. Originally enacted in 1994 as standalone regulations under the Marine Act 1981, the 2013 amendments (Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2013) integrated NT hovercraft regulation into the national maritime safety framework. This introduced references to the Marine Safety National Law and Australian Maritime Safety Authority, shifting from purely territorial regulation to a harmonised national system. The repeal of Part 2 (which likely contained registration or licensing provisions) and amendments to fees and penalties provisions indicate a reallocation of regulatory functions to national bodies, leaving these regulations as a technical supplement to national law rather than a comprehensive standalone regime."},"complexity_factors":["Heavy reliance on external technical documents: The Schedule references 'Volume 1' (a 1985 Canadian standard) and the 'Uniform Shipping Laws Code' for most substantive requirements, making the regulations incomprehensible without access to these external codes","Nested conditional logic in exemptions: Regulation 5 provides two alternative pathways for exemption (equivalent safety OR undue hardship with substantial compliance), and Regulation 23 contains complex transitional provisions with nested conditions","Cross-referencing structure: Most regulations simply point to 'item X' in the Schedule, which then points to specific chapters/sections of external codes, creating a multi-layer lookup system","Technical terminology: Uses specialised maritime engineering terms (hydrostatic stability, dynamic stability, fibre reinforced plastics, inertia forces) without definition","Dual approval authorities: Regulation 16(2) creates alternative approval pathways (Director OR Australian Maritime Safety Authority) for emergency beacons","Strict liability offence: Regulation 22(2) creates legal complexity by removing the mental element (intent) from the offence, which has significant legal consequences","Fragmented structure: Part 2 is completely repealed (regulations 6-7 removed) leaving a gap in numbering, and the Schedule contains the substantive technical content separated from the operational provisions"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this legislation does:**\n\nThese regulations set the safety rules for **air-cushioned vehicles** (commonly known as hovercraft) operating in the Northern Territory. They cover everything from how hovercraft are designed and built to how they're tested, inspected, and operated.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n*   **Manufacturers and designers** of hovercraft who want to build or modify vehicles for use in the NT\n*   **Operators** of hovercraft (commercial and private)\n*   The **Director** (the government official responsible for maritime safety in the NT)\n*   The **Minister**, who can grant exemptions from certain rules\n\n**Key requirements:**\n\n*   **Design and construction:** Hovercraft must meet specific standards for buoyancy (ability to float), stability, structural strength, fire protection, and passenger safety. The regulations reference technical standards from a Canadian publication called \"Volume 1\" and Australia's Uniform Shipping Laws Code.\n*   **Equipment:** Vehicles must carry life-saving equipment, fire extinguishers, radios, navigation lights, and emergency beacons (for certain classes of vessel).\n*   **Testing:** New hovercraft must pass functional tests and operational trials before approval.\n*   **Offences:** It's an offence to operate a hovercraft that doesn't comply with these regulations. This is a **strict liability offence** (meaning you can be fined even if you didn't intend to break the law).\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nHovercraft are unusual vehicles—they travel on a cushion of air and can operate over water, land, and ice. Because they don't behave like traditional boats, they need specialised safety rules. These regulations ensure that hovercraft operating in NT waters are built safely and won't put passengers, crew, or other water users at risk.\n\n**Grandfathering:**\n\nExisting hovercraft operating in the NT before November 1994 are generally exempt from the new design and construction rules (though they must still operate safely)."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument has been amended since its 1994 origins to update cross-references, fee arrangements and regulatory alignment with later Commonwealth legislation. Endnotes record amendments and substitutions (notably Act No. 11, 2013; amendments listed at r 4, r 21 and r 22) and a 2019 transport amendment (SL No. 11, 2019). Those changes adjust application and administrative links (fees, references to Marine orders and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority) while retaining transitional protections for vessels existing before commencement (reg 23)."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive reliance on external technical codes and standards (Volume 1 and the Uniform Shipping Law Code) for most substantive requirements (Schedule items 3–25).","Wide technical scope covering design, buoyancy, dynamic stability, materials, machinery, propulsion, electrical systems, fire protection and lifesaving equipment (regs 8–16; Schedule).","Multiple procedural steps: design submission, survey, functional tests and operational trials (regs 8, 17–18; Schedule items 24–25).","Administrative discretion: Ministerial exemptions and Director approvals/maintaining codes create case-by-case variance (regs 5, 11(1), 20, 23).","Enforcement and liability: operation offence is strict liability with a monetary penalty (reg 22), increasing legal risk for operators.","Cross-references to Marine orders and fee regimes link compliance costs to separate instruments (reg 21).","Transitional and savings provisions preserve earlier vessels and allow exemptions, adding complexity to applicability (reg 23).","Technical compliance requires specialised expertise (designers, manufacturers, surveyors), increasing transaction and information costs."],"plain_english_summary":"These Regulations require air-cushioned vehicles in the Northern Territory to meet specified technical standards for design, construction, equipment, inspection and testing, by adopting external maritime and technical codes. They affect designers, manufacturers, operators and certifying officials; operators pay survey/approval fees and face a strict‑liability offence for non‑compliance (regs 16, 21–22). The Minister and the Director may grant exemptions or approvals, creating administrative discretion (regs 5, 11, 20). Compliance imposes technical, testing and documentation costs on builders and operators."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/marine-air-cushioned-vehicles-regulations-1994","history":"/api/acts/marine-air-cushioned-vehicles-regulations-1994/history","analysis":"/api/acts/marine-air-cushioned-vehicles-regulations-1994/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/marine-air-cushioned-vehicles-regulations-1994/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/marine-air-cushioned-vehicles-regulations-1994/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/marine-air-cushioned-vehicles-regulations-1994/documents"}}