First Aid Kit Requirements for Commercial Fishing Vessels in Australia

Commercial fishing vessels in Australia need appropriate first aid and medical equipment on board, but the exact requirement is not the same for every vessel. For domestic commercial vessels, the equipment you need can depend on the vessel class, operational area, survey status, the risks of the operation and how far the crew may be from professional medical assistance.

For many Class 3 fishing vessels in survey, AMSA specifies a Scale F or Scale G first aid kit, and some vessels also require a medical cabinet. However, simply buying a kit labelled "marine" or "commercial" does not automatically mean the vessel meets its requirements. The vessel operator needs to identify which rules apply, confirm the required equipment scale and then consider whether the minimum quantities are actually enough for the work being performed.

Why Commercial Fishing First Aid Requirements Are Different

A commercial fishing vessel is not the same environment as an office, workshop or suburban work vehicle.

Fishing crews may be working around:

• Knives and sharp processing equipment
• Hooks and fishing gear
• Winches, reels and hauling equipment
• Ropes and lines under tension
• Slippery decks
• Heavy catches and manual handling
• Hot machinery and engine spaces
• Salt water and wet conditions
• Cold, heat and prolonged weather exposure
• Remote operations where medical assistance may be hours away

That changes the purpose of the first aid equipment on board. In some workplaces, first aid is mainly about providing immediate care until an ambulance arrives. On a fishing vessel operating well away from shore, the crew may need to stabilise an injured person and manage the situation for considerably longer while professional medical advice, transport or evacuation is arranged.

This is why vessel class, operating area and risk assessment matter so much.

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What Class Is a Commercial Fishing Vessel?

Under Australia's domestic commercial vessel framework, fishing vessels are generally Class 3 vessels.

The letter after the class number identifies the vessel's operational area. For example, a vessel described as 3B is a Class 3 fishing vessel operating in a B operational area.

In broad terms, the operational areas move from more offshore environments toward more sheltered waters:

• B: offshore operations
• C: restricted offshore operations
• D: partially smooth waters
• E: smooth waters

This distinction matters because a vessel operating further offshore may have a longer delay before a casualty can reach medical care. The prescribed medical equipment therefore becomes more substantial as the operating environment changes.

It is important not to guess a vessel's classification from its size, appearance or type of fishing. Operators should use the vessel's actual certification and AMSA documentation when determining the applicable requirement.

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What First Aid Equipment Does a Class 3 Fishing Vessel Need?

For Class 3 domestic commercial vessels in survey, AMSA currently sets out the following standard arrangements:

This is useful as a starting point, but it should not be treated as the end of the decision-making process.

AMSA makes it clear that the quantities or types of supplies may need to be increased depending on the circumstances of the voyage. Factors include the level of risk, voyage length, access to medical facilities, cargo and the number of people on board.

In other words, the prescribed scale is a minimum arrangement for the relevant vessel category. It does not remove the need to think about what could realistically go wrong on that particular vessel.

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What Is a Scale F First Aid Kit?

A Scale F first aid kit is a prescribed set of medical and first aid supplies used on a range of domestic commercial vessels.

Its purpose is not simply to deal with minor cuts. AMSA describes these supplies as being intended to treat minor medical conditions and injuries, or to temporarily stabilise one or two patients until they can reach medical assistance.

That is an important distinction.

On an offshore fishing vessel, the first aid kit may need to support care during the period between an incident occurring and the casualty being transferred to appropriate medical help.

The Scale F equipment list includes supplies for managing a range of foreseeable problems such as wounds, bleeding, burns, eye injuries and other medical conditions. Operators should use the current AMSA Scale F equipment list rather than relying on an old checklist or a generic marine kit sold online.

A Class 3B vessel also needs a Scale E medical cabinet under the standard survey arrangement, so a Scale F first aid kit on its own is not enough for that vessel category.

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What Is a Scale G First Aid Kit?

Scale G is another prescribed first aid arrangement used for certain domestic commercial vessels operating in more sheltered areas.

For fishing vessels in survey, AMSA currently specifies Scale G for Class 3D and 3E vessels under the standard arrangement.

The practical point is that Scale G should not be thought of as simply a "smaller Scale F". It is a separate prescribed equipment scale designed for vessels operating under different circumstances.

The exact contents and quantities should be checked against the current AMSA requirements before purchasing or assembling a kit.

We will cover the differences between the two scales in more detail in our dedicated Scale F vs Scale G first aid kit guide.

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Why a Class 3B Vessel Needs More Than a First Aid Kit

A Class 3B fishing vessel provides a good example of why vessel classification matters.

Under AMSA's standard survey arrangement, a Class 3B vessel is required to carry:

• A Scale F first aid kit
• A Scale E medical cabinet

The medical cabinet is a different piece of equipment with its own storage, security, identification and checking requirements.

AMSA requires a Scale E cabinet to be located in a suitable dry and accessible area, clearly identified and cleaned and checked every three months. The cabinet also includes secure storage provisions for certain controlled or restricted medicines.

This means an operator should not assume that one portable first aid kit satisfies the complete medical equipment requirement for an offshore Class 3B operation.

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Does Every Commercial Fishing Vessel Need a Scale F or Scale G Kit?

No.

The first aid arrangement depends on the regulatory pathway that applies to the vessel.

The standard Scale F and Scale G arrangements above relate to surveyed Class 3 vessels. Non-survey vessels can be subject to different equipment standards, and AMSA publishes separate equipment guidance for those vessel categories.

There is also an alternative arrangement available for some lower-risk vessels operating in C, C Restricted, D or E waters.

AMSA's Generic Equivalent Solution allows eligible operators, following a documented risk assessment, to carry different or fewer first aid supplies than the standard prescribed scale in certain circumstances.

Before relying on an alternative arrangement, operators should check the current AMSA conditions rather than assuming their vessel qualifies because it operates close to shore.

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What Should a Commercial Fishing First Aid Risk Assessment Consider?

A good first aid risk assessment should go beyond asking how many people are on board.

The operator should think through the actual operation and ask what injuries or medical events are reasonably foreseeable, how serious they could be and how long it may take to obtain further assistance.

Useful factors include:

• Crew numbers: more people can mean more supplies may be needed.
• Voyage duration: a multi-day trip creates a different first aid exposure from a short day operation.
• Distance from medical help: crews operating offshore may need to manage a casualty for longer.
• Fishing method: line fishing, netting, potting and trawling can create different injury risks.
• Machinery: winches, reels, hydraulics and deck machinery can create serious crush and entanglement hazards.
• Sharp equipment: knives, hooks, spikes and fish-processing tools increase the likelihood of puncture and laceration injuries.
• Environmental exposure: heat, cold, wind, wet conditions and prolonged sun exposure can all affect crew health.
• Medical access: consider how quickly radio medical advice, ambulance services or evacuation could realistically be arranged.
• Known hazards or cargo: additional risks may require additional supplies or specialist advice.

For example, two Class 3C fishing vessels may technically fall into the same prescribed first aid scale but have very different operating profiles.

One may conduct short trips close to its home port with three crew. Another may spend considerably longer offshore with a larger crew using heavy deck machinery. The prescribed minimum may be the same starting point, but the risk assessment may lead the second operator to carry additional supplies.

That is the practical purpose of the risk assessment: not to replace the prescribed requirement, but to determine whether the minimum is enough.

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What Injuries Should a Fishing Vessel Be Prepared For?

Commercial fishing involves a mix of hazards that can produce very different types of injuries.

Cuts and puncture wounds

Knives, hooks, fish spines and processing tools make cuts and puncture wounds an obvious risk. Minor injuries can require cleaning and dressing, while deep wounds or heavy bleeding may require immediate first aid and urgent medical assistance.

Crush and entanglement injuries

Winches, ropes, hauling equipment and moving gear can cause much more serious injuries. These incidents may involve significant bleeding, fractures, crush injury or amputation.

First aid equipment is important, but it is only part of the response. Operators also need an emergency process for stabilising the casualty and arranging further medical care.

Eye injuries

Fish hooks, debris, salt, cleaning products and other substances can cause eye injuries. Appropriate irrigation and eye dressings may be useful depending on the injury, but penetrating eye injuries and serious chemical exposures require urgent professional assessment.

Burns

Burns may result from hot engines, exhaust systems, cooking equipment, steam or other hot surfaces. First aid planning should account for where these hazards exist and whether cooling water and appropriate burn dressings are accessible.

Slips, falls and musculoskeletal injuries

Wet moving decks increase the risk of slips and falls. Manual handling of catch, gear and equipment can also result in sprains, strains or more serious injuries.

Exposure-related illness

Crews may work for extended periods in heat, cold, wind and wet conditions. First aid planning should therefore consider environmental exposure as well as traumatic injuries.

Thinking through these scenarios helps operators decide whether the prescribed quantities need to be supplemented.

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Where Should the First Aid Kit Be Stored?

Storage matters just as much as contents.

A first aid kit that is soaked by sea spray, buried beneath fishing equipment or secured in a way that takes too long to open may not be useful when somebody is injured.

For Scale F kits, AMSA specifies that the portable first aid kit should be located adjacent to the master's accommodation or in the wheelhouse.

On a small partly open vessel, the kit should be stowed where it is protected from incoming spray and weather.

The portable case should also be:

• Weather-tight
• Portable
• Made from non-corrosive material
• Strong enough for the intended environment
• Large enough to hold the required supplies
• Securely fastened with quick-release closures

That combination is deliberate.

The kit needs to stay secure while the vessel is moving, but it also needs to be removed and opened quickly in an emergency. A storage system that protects the kit but makes it difficult to access defeats part of the purpose.

We will cover this topic in much more detail in our dedicated guide to where a first aid kit should be stored on a commercial fishing vessel.

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Why Weather-Tight Storage Matters at Sea

A marine environment is particularly hard on first aid supplies.

Salt water, spray and humidity can damage packaging long before an item reaches its printed expiry date.

Problems can include:

• Sterile dressing packs becoming damp or damaged
• Adhesive products deteriorating
• Metal components corroding
• Labels becoming unreadable
• Cardboard packaging softening or breaking down
• Moisture entering through damaged seals

This is why operators should not treat an expiry date as the only test of whether an item is still serviceable.

If packaging is compromised, contaminated, water-damaged or otherwise deteriorated, the item may need to be replaced even though its printed expiry date has not passed.

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How Should the Kit Be Identified?

In an emergency, somebody who does not normally use the equipment should still be able to find it quickly.

For a Scale F kit, AMSA requires the portable case to be labelled FIRST AID on the lid and at least two sides.

The storage location also needs to be clearly identified with an appropriate sign or sticker.

Clear identification becomes particularly important where:

• The vessel carries relief or temporary crew
• People move between different vessels
• The kit is stored inside a cabinet or compartment
• Visibility is poor
• The person responding to the incident did not normally maintain the kit

A crew member should not have to search multiple lockers while somebody is seriously injured.

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How Often Should a Scale F First Aid Kit Be Checked?

AMSA's current Scale F guidance requires the kit to be cleaned and checked every three months.

That check should be more than a quick glance at the case.

A practical inspection should include:

• Comparing contents against the required inventory
• Replacing anything that has been used
• Checking expiry dates
• Inspecting sterile seals
• Looking for moisture or salt damage
• Checking adhesives and dressings for deterioration
• Checking the case, hinges, closures and handles
• Confirming labels remain readable
• Confirming the kit is still stored in the required location

The three-month interval should also not discourage operators from checking the kit sooner where there is a reason to do so.

For example, a kit should be inspected after significant use, if the case has been exposed to water, if supplies have been removed, or if there is reason to believe packaging has been damaged.

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Why Restocking After Use Matters

A kit can look complete from the outside while important items are missing inside.

After an injury, commonly used items such as dressings, gloves, saline, bandages or tapes may have been removed. If nobody replaces them, the next crew may head to sea with an incomplete kit.

A simple system can help prevent that:

For vessels with multiple crews, it is particularly important that responsibility for restocking is clear rather than assuming somebody else will do it.

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What About Medicines and Restricted Drugs?

Commercial vessel medical equipment can involve medicines that are subject to additional controls.

This is an area where operators should avoid improvising.

AMSA advises Masters and Chief Officers to contact the relevant state or territory health department about the process for obtaining restricted drugs used to restock first aid kits or medical cabinets.

Where a prescribed medical cabinet applies, operators should follow the official equipment list and storage requirements rather than adding or removing medicines based solely on personal preference.

This is one of the key differences between a prescribed commercial vessel medical arrangement and an ordinary workplace first aid kit.

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Does Carrying the Right Kit Mean the Vessel Is Fully Prepared?

No.

First aid equipment only helps if the crew can access it, understand how to use it and know what to do when an incident exceeds their capability.

Commercial fishing operators should also consider:

• Who on board has current first aid training
• Whether the training is appropriate for the operation
• How radio medical advice would be obtained
• How emergency services would be contacted
• How the casualty could be transferred from the vessel
• What happens if the vessel is many hours from port
• Whether crew know where all first aid and medical equipment is stored

AMSA's safety equipment framework also refers to persons administering first aid having an appropriate current first aid qualification.

For an offshore operator, the practical issue is not merely whether a certificate exists. It is whether someone on board can recognise a serious problem, provide competent first response and obtain further medical assistance when needed.

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What If Someone Becomes Seriously Ill or Injured Offshore?

The first aid kit is designed to support immediate treatment and temporary stabilisation. It is not a substitute for professional medical care.

Where an illness or injury is serious or uncertain, operators should follow their emergency procedures and seek appropriate medical advice.

AMSA notes that radio medical advice may be needed where the seriousness of the condition is unclear or evacuation may need to be considered.

A remote vessel should therefore think about the entire response chain:

• Immediate first aid
• Communication with medical services
• Ongoing monitoring of the casualty
• Navigation toward assistance where appropriate
• Transfer or evacuation arrangements
• Handover to professional medical care

The further the vessel is from medical assistance, the more important it is to have considered these steps before the emergency occurs.

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Can a Standard Workplace First Aid Kit Be Used on a Commercial Fishing Vessel?

A standard workplace kit may contain many useful first aid supplies, but that does not automatically make it suitable as the required kit for a commercial fishing vessel.

If the vessel is required to carry a prescribed Scale F or Scale G kit, the equipment needs to meet the applicable requirements unless a valid alternative arrangement applies.

There are several reasons a generic workplace kit may fall short:

• The contents may not match the required AMSA inventory
• The quantities may be insufficient
• The storage case may not meet the marine storage requirements
• The kit may not include the items appropriate to the vessel's operational area
• The vessel may also require a separate medical cabinet

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Three Practical Examples

Example 1: Class 3B offshore fishing vessel

A surveyed Class 3B fishing vessel falls under the standard arrangement requiring a Scale E medical cabinet and Scale F first aid kit.

The operator should then consider whether the prescribed quantities are sufficient for the number of crew, voyage length, fishing method and distance from medical facilities.

Example 2: Class 3C fishing vessel

A surveyed Class 3C vessel is generally required to carry a Scale F first aid kit under the standard arrangement.

If the vessel operates for long periods or carries risks beyond the minimum assumptions, the first aid risk assessment may identify a need for additional supplies.

Example 3: Class 3D fishing vessel

A surveyed Class 3D vessel generally uses the Scale G arrangement.

However, an operator should still confirm whether the standard scale or an eligible equivalent arrangement applies to that particular vessel before making purchasing decisions.

These examples demonstrate the framework only. They do not replace checking the vessel's current certification and AMSA requirements.

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Commercial Fishing Vessel First Aid Checklist

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How to Confirm What Your Vessel Actually Needs

If there is any uncertainty, the best approach is to work from the vessel's actual documentation rather than relying on a generic online checklist.

Check:

• The vessel class and operational area
• The certificate of survey or applicable non-survey arrangement
• The current AMSA safety equipment requirements
• The applicable Scale F, Scale G or medical cabinet list
• Any relevant exemption or Generic Equivalent Solution
• The vessel's own first aid risk assessment

Where the answer is still unclear, contact AMSA or an appropriately qualified marine surveyor or adviser before assuming a particular first aid setup is acceptable.

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First Aid Kit Requirements for Commercial Fishing Vessels: The Bottom Line

The correct first aid setup for an Australian commercial fishing vessel depends on more than simply having a first aid kit on board.

Operators need to identify the vessel's classification and operating area, determine which medical equipment requirement applies, and then assess whether the prescribed minimum is sufficient for the actual operation.

For surveyed Class 3 vessels, the current standard arrangements include:

• Class 3B: Scale E medical cabinet plus Scale F first aid kit
• Class 3C: Scale F first aid kit
• Class 3D: Scale G first aid kit
• Class 3E: Scale G first aid kit

From there, the operator should think practically about crew numbers, voyage duration, fishing hazards, environmental exposure and how long it could take to reach professional medical care.

The best marine first aid arrangement is therefore not just a box of supplies. It is a system that combines the correct equipment, appropriate quantities, protected storage, regular maintenance, trained people and a clear plan for obtaining further medical assistance.