A HIN number on a recreational boat in WA is compulsory for all boats built after 2001 and is also compulsory for all boats that change hands or are re-registered after 2001.
So if your boat needs a new HIN or needs to have the existing HIN verified, what is the procedure? See below:
HIN procedure for customers
Proof of ownership
There are 5 ways to prove you own the boat:
1: Receipt from the seller. If you have just purchased the boat, a receipt from the seller is acceptable. If its a private sale, then it needs to have the sellers name, address & phone number, boat make, model, size and rego number (if it has one), your name and is signed and dated by the seller.
2: Commercial receipt from the boat builder or boat dealer. This is the same as above, but with the builder or dealers business name, ABN, address and contact details, boat make, model, size and rego number (if it has one), your name, address and contact details and payment in full listed.
3: A previous registration certificate in your name. If the boat is unregistered, but you have had it registered before, then a previous, expired registration certificate that is in your name is acceptable.
4: A completed and signed (by both the seller and yourself) boat registration transfer form. If the boat has been previously registered in WA and has a rego number on the boat, the completed transfer form can be used as proof of ownership, even if the boat is unregistered.
5: Statutory Declaration. This is to be used if none of the forms of proof of ownership above can be produced. It needs to be completed in full and the signature needs to be witnessed by a suitable person (pharmacist at the chemist is the quickest and easiest.
Boat check WA will need a copy of any of these forms of proof of ownership. The original needs to be taken to the DOT licencing branch when the boat is registered or transferred.
ID
The person whose name the boat is being registered into and who is applying for the HIN needs to produce suitable ID. A WA drivers licence is the best form of ID, but a passport will also suffice. Boat Check WA need a copy of the ID.
HIN application form
This ideally will be completed by the person who is registering or transferring the boat into their name. If that person is unable to attend on the day the boat is inspected by Boat Check WA, they can complete and sign the form in advance and supply ID, then nominate an agent who will act on their behalf on the day of the inspection. Both the applicant and the agent must put their details on the HIN application form and sign it. If the applicant cant produce ID, then we can use the ID of the agent who is nominated on and has signed the form. Boat Check WA will need the original completed copy of this form, so its best to bring it with you on the day.
New boat Registration form
Once the paperwork above has been completed and copies taken by boat check WA, the boat is measured and a HIN certificate is issued. If it's for a new HIN, Boat Check WA will issue and affix 2 HIN plates. If its a verification of an existing HIN, just the HIN certificate is provided. If the boat is unregistered, take HIN certificate, along with the completed new boat registration form and your ID to your local DOT licencing branch where they will register the boat in your name and issue a registration certificate upon payment of the prescribed fees. They will also issue a boat registration number which is fitted to each side of the boat (minimum height 150mm/6" contrasting colour stickers). This form isn't necessary when the boat registration is being transferred from a seller to you. In that case, you will need to present a completed boat registration transfer form, the HIN certificate and your ID and pay the prescribed transfer fees. If you are verifying a HIN on a boat you already own, you just need to present the HIN certificate at a DOT Licencing centre along with your ID to update the boat registration certificate. Boat Check WA doesn't need a copy of this form.