Working around ships and ports can be awkward – containers, machinery, pipes, and cargo of every shape and size. To handle these safely and efficiently, some ships have installed a crane typically found in the trucking industry – vehicle loading cranes (VLCs). But operating one, especially in a marine environment, requires skill, the right training and high risk work licence.
What Are Vehicle Loading Cranes Used for on Ships?
In ports and the ocean, vehicle loading cranes play an important support role. They’re often used for:
- Loading and unloading equipment and supplies from the wharf to the vessel or vice versa.
- Lifting operations between ships.
- Clearing the oceans environment of debris, nets, pollution and other damaging rubbish.
- Handling cargo in smaller ports where large dockside cranes may not be available.
When ships have a vehicle loading crane mounted on deck, workers have more flexibility and mobility — they can start loading and unloading operations anytime!
Safety Comes First in Marine Environments
Using cranes on or near ships brings added challenges. Ships have multiple centres of gravity and hull design plays an important role in ship stability. With a rolling deck, waves and weather conditions like wind or rain, lifting stability can be affected dynamically.
That’s why it’s essential for operators to:
- Check the sea state properly before lifting.
- Check ground or deck conditions to make sure they’re firm and stable.
- Inspect lifting gear like slings and hooks for wear or damage.
- Communicate clearly with other crew members during lifts.
Safe lifting is complicated when operating at sea. As these cranes also load and unload below deck with limited visibility, correctly trained crew at the hook end is also going to be required. This means you and your crew may also need additional training such as your Doggers licence to sling loads you cannot see or walk to when you are operating the crane.
Do You Need a Licence to Operate a Vehicle Loading Crane in Australia?
Yes — in many cases, you do, even in Marine environments, as the state regulators typically have jurisdiction in the water with the Memorandum of Understanding with AMSA – the Australian Marine Safety Authority.
In Australia, the licensing requirements for vehicle loading cranes are managed by the relevant state or territory work health and safety authority (like WorkSafe, SafeWork NSW, or Workplace Health and Safety Queensland).
The key licence is the High-Risk Work Licence (HRWL) for operating a Vehicle Loading Crane is the CV class.
Here’s what you need to know:
- You need a CV High-Risk Work Licence if you’re operating a crane with a rated capacity of 10 metre tonnes or more.
- To get this licence, you must:
- Complete training with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
- Pass all 3 parts of the correct national assessment instrument: written, calculation and practical.
- Apply for the licence through your state or territory authority.
- If the crane has a capacity under 10 metre tonnes, a high-risk licence isn’t required — but the operator must still be properly trained and competent and holding a CV licence can go a long way in supporting this.
It’s also important that employers verify their operators’ licences and ensure ongoing refresher training, especially when working in specialised environments like ports or ships.
HRWLs are recognised nationwide, so once you’re licensed in one state, you can operate in others — as long as your licence is current and valid.
Why Licensing Matters
Having the right licence isn’t just about following the law — it’s about keeping people safe. Licensed operators know how to:
- Calculate load weights and crane capacity.
- Set up and operate the crane safely.
- Recognise and avoid hazards.
- Respond correctly in emergencies.
In a marine setting, where a small mistake can have additional serious consequences, this training can make all the difference.
