Message From the CEO

It has been a very busy winter across AMSA with several high profile search and rescue and maritime casualty incidents. The successful rescue of American teen solo sailor Abby Sunderland highlighted the importance of inter-agency and international cooperation. Due to the extreme location and unique nature of this search and rescue it resulted in worldwide media coverage. You can read more about this incident in this edition of AMSA Aboard.

The highlight of the last few months was our successful nomination for the 2010 International Maritime Organization Bravery at Sea Award. James Fanifau, a Fijian national, was selected for this prestigious honour for his bravery in rescuing an American sailor off the Queensland coast in May 2009. The announcement was made at the 104th IMO Council meeting in London in June. I spoke to James after the announcement and he was most surprised and humbled by the commendation. James' wonderful achievement is detailed in this edition's feature article.

Our Maritime Operations Division has had a busy few months, with port visits by foreign trading ships continuing to recover after the Global Financial Crisis. Furthermore, we have run several activities in our management of International Safety Management (ISM) initiatives.

In June, I led an AMSA delegation to the 11th APHoMSA Forum in Manila where I gave a presentation on Australia's recent experience in dealing with oil spills and pollution in remote and environmentally sensitive locations - very timely given the situation in the Gulf of Mexico and our recent experience with the Montara platform in the Timor Sea. We also had the opportunity to meet with the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard to discuss regional cooperation initiatives.

In the autumn edition of AMSA Aboard we featured our new Community Liaison Officer in the Torres Strait, Adrian Davidson. I recently had the pleasure of travelling to Thursday Island to catch up with Adrian and attend the Torres Strait Marine Safety Program meeting. In partnership with Maritime Safety Queensland and the Torres Strait Regional Authority, we are implementing many initiatives in the Torres Strait and Adrian's involvement has provided a pivotal link to the people of the region.

On the marine environment front, new General Manager Toby Stone and his team recently managed the Ocean Emperor maritime casualty incident off the Great Barrier Reef, which is detailed in this edition.  

As the cold Canberra winter draws to a close, I wish to thank you all for your support over the last few months and look forward to working with you on our many upcoming initiatives.

Graham Peachey

Australia’s Nominee Wins International Bravery Award

James Fanifau has been honoured with a prestigious international commendation for his involvement in the Australian-coordinated rescue of two crew from the Sumatra II, a sunken yacht off the Queensland coast in May 2009.

On 4 June, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council confirmed Mr Fanifau, a Fijian national, as the recipient of the 2010 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea.

The announcement of Mr Fanifau’s commendation follows his nomination by the Australian Government for his selfless act of bravery in climbing over the side of the Fijian vessel MV Scarlett Lucy and saving the life of a 71-year-old American by holding him to the cargo net. This act of bravery is made even more remarkable by the fact that Mr Fanifau did not have time to secure a safety harness and the ship was rolling heavily in gale force conditions.

The IMO Panel of Judges chose Mr Fanifau for the top award noting he “displayed extraordinary bravery and humanitarian concern and had gone far beyond the call of duty, in putting his own life at risk”.

The search and rescue operation was coordinated by AMSA’s Rescue Coordination Centre – Australia (RCC). RCC officers recommended Mr Fanifau for the nomination noting it was one of the most courageous rescues they had witnessed in recent years.

General Manager, Emergency Response Division John Young presented Mr Fanifau with his IMO congratulatory letter in July and Chief Executive Officer Graham Peachey will host an event in September in honour of his achievement.

The Secretary-General of the IMO will present the award to Mr Fanifau in London on 24 November 2010, as part of World Maritime Day celebrations.

For more detail on this rescue and to view the video please click here

Shipping Activity Recovering

AMSA analysis indicates that port visits by foreign trading ships have continued to recover from the effects of the global financial crisis (GFC). After a 12 month slump beginning in November 2008, overall port visits began to grow again at the end of 2009 and have strengthened through the first seven months of 2010.

In 2009-10, there were around 22,600 port visits by some 4,480 individual ships. While the total number of visits changed only slightly from the previous two financial years, the number of individual ships increased by 14 per cent in that time. We believe this is largely due to the recent boom in ship construction, which brought many new vessels into operation, but also partly due to changes in chartering patterns, where Australian exporters are chartering a higher proportion of vessels than in the past.

During the last financial year, bulk carriers accounted for over 60 per cent of ships and around 40 per cent of port visits, whereas container vessels accounted for 6 per cent of ships, but 18 per cent of port visits. This is hardly surprising due to the nature of those two ship types. Bulk carriers have also been increasing in average size over the last couple of years.

However, this recovery has been somewhat uneven. The iron ore trades were the first to pick up from March 2009, followed soon after by coal exports, although the metallurgical coal trade recovered ahead of thermal coal. Vehicle carriers and container ships were the worst affected by the GFC. Vehicle carrier activity has picked up in recent months, but container ship activity for 2009-10 was still 18 per cent down on 2007-08 levels. Overall there are similar numbers of container ships coming to Australia, but they are making less port calls per visit than in past years.

Port arrival activity in Australia by oil tankers and gas carriers has been steady over the past three years, seemingly unaffected by the international financial problems.

ISM Activities

AMSA has run a number of activities in its oversight and management of International Safety Management (ISM) matters this year.

We recently completed a second round of hosting China Classification Society (CCS) auditors/surveyors. During their stay in Australia, the CCS surveyors visited a large number of ports where their primary focus was observing AMSA ISM Code audits. They also took the opportunity to witness port and flag state control inspections and attend an AMSA ISM auditor training course, as well as a surveyor workshop in Fremantle.

This technical cooperation is extremely beneficial to AMSA, as the CCS surveyors are exposed to much more ISM activity than we are in Australia and can consequently provide invaluable advice to enable us to update our methods.

AMSA has also recently conducted workshops for all our ISM auditors to review amendments to the ISM Code, provide refresher training in auditing methods and explore mechanisms to improve not only how we can perform effective audits, but how we can best work with industry to better its performance.

The latter aspect is one AMSA takes very seriously, which is why our ISM Auditors are specifically selected, having undergone additional testing and interviews over that of a normal AMSA marine surveyor.

Cargo Lashing Requirements

AMSA’s Maritime Operations Division continues to engage with harbour masters, the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and stevedores in Victoria to address the issue of vessels sailing without fully lashing cargo.

It is AMSA’s position that vessels must be fully lashed prior to departure, and that sailing without fully securing cargo would constitute a breach of the seaworthiness provisions of the Navigation Act 1912.

At recent forums in Victoria, AMSA urged MUA members and stevedores to contact AMSA or the Port Authority as soon as concerns become apparent.

AMSA has subsequently contacted the Harbour Master, stevedores, masters and relevant agents outlining the following actions to be taken for the Port of Melbourne:

• Confirmation with stevedores/MUA that they have AMSA and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) contact numbers. Calls are to be made to both agencies if such a situation exists and sailing is imminent.
• VTS to be made aware of AMSA’s position and advise when they are informed of such an issue.
• If sailing is imminent and AMSA is unable to take up the matter with the master directly, VTS is to request the pilot confirm with the master whether the vessel is fully lashed.
• If the vessel is not fully lashed, the Harbour Master and pilots have agreed to withhold sailing on safety grounds until such time as AMSA can make direct contact with the master.

AMSA will also be bringing this matter to the attention of the broader maritime industry.

Met-ocean Measuring Equipment Project

AMSA recently completed a project to upgrade and duplicate key met-ocean measuring sensors in the Torres Strait. 

AMSA is seeking to introduce an Under Keel Clearance Management system (UKCM) for use by vessels transiting the Prince of Wales Channel in the Torres Strait.  Local meteorological effects influence actual tidal height in the Torres Strait against tidal predictions. Accurate measurement of such meteorological conditions will improve the accuracy of the UKCM system.

The met-ocean measuring equipment project involved several elements:

• The replacement of the five existing tide gauges and installing an additional alternative technology (radar altimetry) tidegauge at each site.
• Deployment of two directional wave rider buoys near the approaches to the shipping channel.
• Installing an automatic weather station at Booby Island. 

The met-ocean information will be communicated to the UKCM system via AMSA’s aids to navigation wide area network (WAN). The data will be transferred to the WAN via AMSA’s communications facility at Hammond Island. The communications links and back up power supply at Hammond Island were also upgraded in 2009-10.

In summary, the successful completion of these projects provides AMSA with the range of met-ocean data and the level of redundancy required to support the UKCM system currently being implemented.

11th Asia Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies (APHoMSA) Forum

An AMSA delegation, led by Chief Executive Officer Graham Peachey, along with General Manager, Maritime Standards Division Brad Groves, Philip Burgess and Post Counsellor Karly Pidgeon, attended the 11th APHoMSA Forum in Manila from 16-19 June 2010. Graham gave a presentation on Australia's recent experience in dealing with oil spills and pollution in remote and environmentally sensitive locations. The presentation was well received and very timely given the problems being experienced in the Gulf of Mexico.

Representatives from seventeen regional economies and five organisations attended the forum.

Key issues discussed were:

• support for the International Labour Organization's Maritime Labour Convention of 2006;
• the benefits of regional cooperation through the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC);
• sharing of lessons learned from significant oil spill incidents in Australia, Singapore and the United States;
• difficulties in attracting workers to the maritime sector and government actions being taken to combat this; and
• a desire for a strong regional voice for the Asia Pacific on maritime issues.

The AMSA delegation also met with the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines to discuss an upcoming maritime safety, security and environment project under the AusAID Public Sector Linkages Program. In addition, other cooperation initiatives were discussed including: a possible Memorandum of Understanding between AMSA and the Philippine Coast Guard, areas for future AMSA assistance in the Philippines, and the development of an AMSA regional cooperation strategy.

The next APHoMSA Forum will be held in the Republic of Korea in 2011.

STCW Diplomatic Conference

Major amendments to the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) 1978, were agreed at an International Maritime Organization (IMO) Diplomatic Conference held in Manila, the Philippines from 21-25 June 2010. The amendments will help ensure that seafarers have the necessary training, skills and certification to operate increasingly more technologically advanced ships.

Since 2007, AMSA has coordinated Australia’s active involvement in the IMO’s review of STCW, which is carried out by the Standards of Training and Watchkeeping (STW) technical sub-committee. Australian industry input into this process was facilitated through routine correspondence and also through two dedicated stakeholder workshops held in Canberra in 2008 and 2009.

The Australian delegation to the recent Diplomatic Conference consisted of General Manager, Maritime Standards Division Brad Groves, Acting Manager, Ship Safety Nick Lemon and observers Sarah Cerche (Australian Shipowners Association) and Jim Mallows (Australian Institute of Marine of Power Engineers).

The conference achieved a key aim in reaching agreement through consensus on a range of issues requiring final resolution after the STW sub-committee's extensive four-year review. These amendments to the STCW Convention and Code will be known as the ‘The Manila Amendments’. 

At the conference, Brad Groves chaired a working group that dealt with seafarer medical requirements and the Australian delegation also participated in a working group on seafarer fitness for duty and hours of rest.  Australia was one of nine IMO members that participated in the final drafting committee, with the head of the Australian delegation being elected the first vice chairman of this committee.

During the long running review, Australia has sought to seek improvements in the STCW Convention including training and competence in bridge and engine room resource management, marine environment protection, and safe navigation including Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (ECDIS). These and other areas of improvement sought by Australia are contained in the amendments which are to come into force on 1 January 2012 with a five year transition period.

Key areas of amendment include:

• improved measures to prevent fraudulent practices associated with certificates of competency;
• strengthened evaluation processes (monitoring of parties' compliance with the Convention);
• revised requirements on hours of work and rest and new requirements for the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as updated standards relating to medical fitness standards for seafarers;
• new certification requirements for able seafarers;
• new requirements relating to training in modern technology such as ECDIS;
• new requirements for marine environment awareness training and training in leadership and teamwork;
• new training and certification requirements for electro-technical officers;
• updating of competence requirements for personnel serving on board all types of tankers, including new requirements for personnel serving on liquefied gas tankers;
• new requirements for security training, as well as provisions to ensure that seafarers are properly trained to cope if their ship comes under attack by pirates;
• introduction of modern training methodology including distance learning and web-based learning;
• new training guidance for personnel serving on board ships operating in polar waters; and
• new training guidance for personnel operating Dynamic Positioning Systems.

AMSA is planning an industry workshop later in 2010 to provide information about the STCW Convention Manila amendments and their implications for the Australian maritime industry.

Ocean Emperor Maritime Casualty

On Saturday 24 July, AMSA issued an Intervention Order to the Liberian registered Ocean Emperor. The 225 metre bulk carrier had suffered a number of engine breakdowns and was attempting repairs.

AMSA was required to intervene on Tuesday 27 July to prevent a maritime casualty due to the long delays incurred by the company to take responsibility for its ship. While AMSA understands that ships do suffer engine failure from time to time, the reticence of the Ocean Emperor’s owners to take responsibility for the situation was very disappointing.

With a risk of significant pollution due to the ship's close proximity to the reef, AMSA instructed the Emergency Towage Vessel (ETV) Pacific Responder to establish a tow with the ship on Tuesday evening. In quite severe weather conditions the tow was successfully engaged and the ship taken and held safely offshore (approximately 200 kilometres north east of Cairns) until arrangements to transfer it to port for repairs were made.

Once commercial arrangements were entered into by the owners of the Ocean Emperor, the ship was brought into an anchorage off Cairns on Saturday 31 July. AMSA worked closely with Maritime Safety Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to ensure the safe passage of the vessel and put additional contingencies in place while the ship was at anchorage.

The master of the Ocean Emperor pleaded guilty in the Cairns Magistrates Court on 11 August, to six charges under section 268(1B) of the Navigation Act 1912.

The charges proven were that, he, being the master of the Ocean Emperor, had failed to report as soon as practicable to AMSA a defect in the ship or its boilers, machinery or equipment that had effected or was likely to effect the seaworthiness or safety of the ship. The six charges relate to failure to report defects in six locations off the east coast of Queensland between 22 and 29 July 2010.

He was convicted on all charges and fined a total of $18,000.

More information on the Ocean Emperor incident can be found here.

AMSA’s Aerial Observation of Oil on Water Course

Environment Protection Response ran an intensive week long Aerial Observation of Oil on Water Course in Albion Park in August.

Twelve participants from AMSA, each state, the Northern Territory and New Zealand attended the course, with seven of the participants forming part of the National Response Team.

Four nationally accredited units of competency were met during the week including Navigate from an Aircraft, Work Safety around Aircraft, Plan Aircraft Operations and Obtain Incident Intelligence.

The course had a large practical component, and utilised a number of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, including one of AMSA's dedicated search and rescue Dornier aircraft.

It was a hugely successful week allowing our National Aerial Observers to come together to build on experience gained at recent incidents and enhance their skills. The course demonstrated the continuing cooperative nature of the National Plan and was well received generating positive feedback.

Torres Strait Update

The Torres Strait Marine Safety Program (TSMSP) Steering Committee met on Thursday Island on Monday 9 August. The TSMSP explores opportunities for making 'Safer Straits' by the provision of education campaigns on boating safety, school programs, TAFE courses and other initiatives.

The TSMSP Steering Committee consists of personnel from AMSA, Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ), the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), Papua New Guinea Maritime Safety Agency, and the Queensland Police Service (QPS).

Issues for discussion at this meeting included distress beacon distribution and replacement, boatsafe training and future funding for the program. At a function held on Sunday evening, two booklets were launched titled ‘Our Environment Our Future’ and ‘Boating Safety in Torres Strait’.

These colourful readers have been designed specifically for the students of the Torres Strait who contributed text and photographs for the publications. The project was initiated by the Australian Marine Environment Protection Association and funding was provided by both MSQ and AMSA. More information on the work of the TSMSP can be found here.

AMSA is committed to the continuation of the TSMSP and to responsibility in the region and has recently placed a Community Liaison Officer onto Thursday Island to work closely with MSQ, QPS and the TSRA.

Wild Eyes Search and Rescue

On Friday 11 June, AMSA’s Rescue Coordination Centre – Australia (RCC) detected transmissions from two distress beacons registered to Wild Eyes, American teen solo sailor Abby Sunderland’s yacht. The detections were approximately 2033 nautical miles west south west of Perth in the central southern Indian Ocean. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) La Reunion coordinated the initial response as the vessel was within their search and rescue zone. They tasked three vessels in the vicinity to proceed to the distress position. With the first vessel, Ile De La Reunion, due on scene late Saturday, La Reunion requested air search assistance from Australia to establish the situation on scene. AMSA consequently chartered a Qantas A-330 Airbus passenger aircraft from Perth. Due to the location of the search the Airbus was chosen as the most rapid means of getting on scene.

At 12:30pm AEST on 11 June, overall coordination of the search and rescue was transferred to RCC Australia as the yacht had drifted into Australia’s search and rescue zone.

The vessel was located by the Qantas Airbus just after 4:00pm AEST and radio contact was made with Ms Sunderland. She was in good spirits and reported that the vessel’s mast had broken off but the vessel was not taking water and would remain seaworthy until a rescue could be completed the following evening.

The rescue of Abby Sunderland from Wild Eyes to the Ile De La Reunion was successfully conducted at 7:45pm AEST Saturday 12 June, approximately 2000 nautical miles off the Western Australian coast.

The rescue was conducted with the support of a Global Express aircraft which provided top cover during the transfer and served as a communications relay between Wild Eyes and the Ile De La Reunion.  The crew of the Ile De La Reunion conducted the rescue with a boat launched from the vessel. The master reported Ms Sunderland was safe and in good health. 

Following the successful rescue, the Ile De La Reunion proceeded to the Kerguelen Islands where Ms Sunderland was transferred to the French Fisheries Patrol Vessel Osiris. Osiris continued to its home port at La Reunion after which Ms Sunderland returned to the United States.

The extreme location and nature of this search and rescue resulted in worldwide media coverage, the vast majority of which was managed by AMSA Public Relations.

AMSA wishes to acknowledge the cooperation of the operators and authorities, both national and international, that worked together to successfully conduct this rescue. These include MRCC La Reunion, Qantas, Western Australia Police, Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia, the Department of Defence and the three ships which responded.

For further information and images from this rescue click here.

Jessica Watson Visits AMSA

Australian teen solo round the world sailor Jessica Watson visited AMSA’s Rescue Coordination Centre on 4 August to meet with the officers who monitored her 210 day journey.

Jessica was given an overview of search and rescue operations and shown the AMSA charts and records compiled throughout her voyage.

She thanked AMSA for watching over her throughout her record-making journey and providing valuable maritime advice and assistance.

Australia Leads the Way in Beacon Registrations

Nearly two years have passed since the Cospas-Sarsat system ceased to monitor the 121.5 MHz distress frequency and two years since the first Proof of Registration sticker issue. These “first generation” registrations are falling due, completing the first cycle of the 406 database system.

With over 169,000 beacons now registered, Australians are recognised as the biggest users of distress beacons in the world based on population size. Only the USA has a larger database. However, AMSA believes that nearly 30 per cent of distress beacons (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons, Personal Locator Beacons and Emergency Locator Transmitters) remain unregistered.

When purchasing a new 406 MHz distress beacon, AMSA recommends GPS capable beacons. Beacons with GPS provide greater accuracy and enable quicker detection of your position. More information regarding distress beacons can be found here.

Maintaining the currency of registration details ensures that rescue agencies have the best information with which to tailor a response to a distress situation. Providing and regularly updating contact details, emergency contacts, trip itinerary, vessel, aircraft and vehicle details and information on travellers’ medical conditions will greatly assist the coordination of the response. Beacon owners should also consider:

T - Take adequate supplies of food, water, navigation and first aid equipment.

R – update your Registration details with your planned route and tell friends and family when you expect to return.

E - Emergency beacons can be used at sea as well as on land. Consider carrying a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) when venturing in the Australian bush or remote areas.

K - Keep to your planned itinerary and follow the maps and check the weather before you go.

Remember, in a distress situation, time is critical but three simple steps can make a world of difference – Register, Renew and be Responsible.

Vale Wayne "Knocka" White

It is with regret that AMSA farewells Wayne "Knocka" White who passed away during the morning of Friday 13 August 2010 after a battle with cancer.

Knocka, a stalwart of AUSREP and AMSA ship reporting, commenced ship reporting duties with the then Department of Transport in the late 1980s and has seen the world of ship reporting and communication change from the telex machine days of yesteryear to today's modern satellite based systems.  

Prior to joining the public service, Knocka was a communicator in the Royal Australian Navy. Friends, family and a strong contingent of current and former AMSA colleagues including Chief Executive Officer Graham Peachey and General Manager, Emergency Response Division John Young, attended Knocka's funeral at Holy Family Catholic Church, Gowrie on Wednesday 18 August to say farewell. 

Knocka is survived by wife Sharon and children Nathan, Ben, Tiffany, Heather, Fiona, Dyllan, Ethan, Kelsey, Ebony, Austin and Mason. 

New General Manager, Marine Environment Division

On 1 July, Toby Stone joined AMSA as General Manager, Marine Environment Division. Toby has a wealth of experience across the maritime sector, particularly in regards to pollution response.

Toby spent 12 years at sea as a Deck Officer with BP Shipping serving on a variety of tonnage prior to joining the Maritime & Coastguard Agency 13 years ago. Since joining the agency he has worked in a variety of posts including Maritime Rescue Centres, Senior Lecturer Coastguard Training Centre, and Operations Officer Marine Pollution Control Unit where he was the lead officer for UK OPRC implementation.

Toby spent time in Aberdeen as the Principal Counter Pollution and Salvage Officer for Scotland and Northern Ireland, one of four posts created after recommendations in Lord Donaldson's report into Command, Control, Salvage and Intervention, also acting as understudy to the Secretary of States Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention.

Toby has been involved in and attended the majority of maritime shipping casualties in the UK pollution zone since 1997, including the Sea Empress and Everdecent. In addition he attended the Erika and Prestige disaster in France. Recently he was involved in the MSC Napoli incident and headed up the Marine Response Centre.

He comes to AMSA from his role as Head of Counter Pollution & Salvage for the United Kingdom, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, based in Southampton.

Toby is no stranger to AMSA and has been a guest presenter at many of our international conferences including most recently, Spillcon 2010 in Melbourne in April.  

AMSA Development Awards 2010-2011

This year AMSA implemented a Staff Development Award. This award recognises the importance of continually developing the skills and capabilities of our people as we move forward with the challenges ahead. It provides support to undertake a professional and/or personal development activity that is of long-term benefit to AMSA.

In 2010, two AMSA staff received a Development Award. Both projects will deliver long-term benefits to AMSA and to the personal and professional development of our people. 

Kerrie Abercrombie, Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Vessel Traffic Service (REEFVTS) Project Officer, Vessel Tracking, Emergency Response Division, received an award to pursue an overseas study tour to examine the international context of Vessel Tracking Systems and to attend the September International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Vessel Traffic Services Committee meeting.  

Kerrie’s project will deliver long-term benefits to AMSA by providing information to benchmark our decision support tools against international practice as well as transfer knowledge across AMSA and to our stakeholders.

The second recipient of the award is Glen Seeley, Principal Advisor - Vessel Certification, Maritime Standards Division.  Glen’s award benefits AMSA in the long-term by providing the opportunity to up-skill professional and technical capabilities, and understand the process, potential pitfalls, and advantages of our staff engaged in professional development through external professional associations.

New Media Inquiry Contact Details

AMSA Public Relations now has a dedicated 1300 number for media inquiries: 1300 624 633

In addition, a media portal has been created to provide a one-stop media page for all major incidents. The portal also has a contact form where members of the media and other organisations can send inquiries and subscribe to media releases and SMS updates.

Should you receive any media inquires relating to AMSA issues, please direct the media to our 1300 number or the website.

We encourage all of our stakeholders to check the website regularly and join the media release subscription list to keep informed of current AMSA issues and initiatives.

www.amsa.gov.au/media