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Freedom of Information Report

AMSA, 15th Annual Report, 2004 - 2005

Statement pursuant to section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982

The Freedom of Information Act 1982 requires Australian Government agencies to publish a statement setting out their organisation’s role, structure, functions and documents available for public inspection and access to such documents. Section 8 of the Act requires each agency to publish detailed information on the way it is organised, its powers, decisions made and arrangements for public involvement in its work. This statement, in conjunction with information in this annual report, is intended to meet the requirements of Section 8 of the Act and is correct as at 30 June 2005.

AMSA operates nationally under the direction of a Board of Directors and a Chief Executive Officer (as detailed at the front of this report). AMSA has a head office in Canberra, and principal offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Fremantle, with the main offices listed at the back of the appendices to this report.

Access facilities

In many cases, an application under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 may not be required as information or documents are readily available.

Formal requests under the Act must be made in writing to:

The Freedom of Information Officer
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
GPO Box 2181
Canberra ACT 2601

Further information:
Telephone: (02) 6279 5052
Facsimile: (02) 6279 5017

Decision process

The Chairman holds the general power to grant or refuse access to AMSA documents, which he has delegated to AMSA managers, together with the internal review power. The Chairman also has delegated the power to conduct internal reviews to AMSA’s Chief Executive Officer.

Functions

AMSA’s functions are to regulate safety standards in the Australian maritime industry, combat pollution in the marine environment, provide a search and rescue coordination service for the maritime and aviation industries and perform other services for the maritime industry as requested.

Powers

A wide range of powers, under the following Acts, is exercised by staff in performing AMSA’s functions:

Ship Operations

Navigation Act 1912 and Marine Orders made under that Act relating to:
- construction standards for ships;
- survey of ships;
- safety of ships;
- crewing of ships;
- qualifications of seafarers;
- licensing of coastal pilots;
- welfare and discharge of seafarers; and
- cargoes and passengers.
Lighthouses Act 1911, relating to marine aids to navigation.
Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) Act 1993, in relation to discharge of inspectorate functions as the Inspectorate under the Act.
Maritime Transport Security Act 2003, in relation to the appointment of AMSA marine surveyors as Duly Authorised Officers.

Registration

Shipping Registration Act 1981, relating to the registration of ships.

Marine Pollution

Levies

Marine Navigation Levy Act 1989;
Marine Navigation Levy Collection Act 1989;
Marine Navigation (Regulatory Functions) Levy Act 1991; and
Marine Navigation (Regulatory Functions) Levy Collection Act 1991, relating to the funding of AMSA’s regulatory activities and its aids to navigation network.

Categories of documents

Documents covering a broad range of topics related to AMSA’s functions are recorded and maintained on a centralised database. Databases also are maintained for staff records, crew qualifications, shipping registration, continuous synopsis records, port State control functions and financial records.

Maintenance of database records and microfilm records pertaining to the General Register of Seamen system closed effectively at 28 February 1998. These records have now been transferred to the National Archives of Australia.

Outside participation and public involvement

AMSA officers participated in the following advisory and consultative bodies/committees:

AusSAR Consultative Forum
Australian and New Zealand Environment Consultative Committee (ANZECC) Maritime Accidents and Pollution Implementation Group and working groups
Australia New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group
Australian Coastal Ballast Water Management Group
Australian Introduced Marine Pests Coordination Group (NIMPCG)
Australian International Telecommunications Union Working Group
Australian Marine Group (AMG)
Australian Maritime Safety Authority Advisory Committee
Australian Maritime Safety Authority Livestock Advisory Committee
Australian Shipbuilders’ Association Technical Committee
Bass Strait Livestock Shipping Committee
Bulk Cargoes Advisory Group
Coastal Pilotage Consultative Committee
Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Shipping Management Group
Halon Consultative Group
Historic Shipwrecks Advisory Group
Maritime College Examination Committees
Maritime College Accreditation Panels
Marine Offshore Petroleum Safety Advisory Committee
National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC)
National Oil and Gas Safety Advisory Committee (NOGSAC)
National Plan Management Committee (NPMC)
National Plan Operations Group (NPOG)
National Search and Rescue Council
Navigational Services Advisory Committee (NSAC)
REEFREP Ship Reporting System Management Group
REEFREP Ship Reporting System User Group
Seafarers’ Assistance Service Steering Committee
Standards Australia Technical Committees
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November 2005