Confidential Marine Reporting Scheme (CMRS)
Marine Notice 10/2004
On 20 May 2004, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) introduced a Confidential Marine Reporting Scheme (CMRS). The aim of the scheme is to improve safety in Australian waters by enabling the ATSB to receive, assess and act on confidential reports to prevent, or reduce, the risks of marine accidents. The scheme operates under the Navigation (Confidential Marine Reporting Scheme) Regulations 2004.
The regulations apply to marine activities associated with the operation or safety of a ship to which the Navigation Act 1912 applies. Seafarers and others connected with the marine industry may now make their safety concerns known confidentially under the CMRS. The CMRS is also intended for use, for instance, by a passenger on a ship or a person ashore who observes a marine safety issue and wishes to report it.
All reports will be processed in such a manner that the identities of reporters will be kept strictly confidential.
Anonymous reports will generally not be accepted.
Matters which may be reported under the CMRS include:
- A procedure or practice that would endanger the safety of the ship or a person, such as unsafe navigation;
- Defective life saving or fire fighting equipment;
- Extreme corrosion of the hull;
- Crew schedules resulting in fatigue;
- Unreported accidents and near misses.
CMRS must not be used by masters, pilots, agents or owners who have an obligation, under ‘mandatory reporting requirements’, to report incidents or accidents if they are the responsible persons. Nor may the scheme be used for reporting industrial relations issues or ‘unlawful interference with a ship’.
Any reference to, or any information that might identify, the person providing the report will be removed to ‘de-identify’ each report. Reports will be assessed by experienced officers to determine what action is required. The ‘de-identified’ information will be entered into a secure database to enable reports to be analysed for safety information or to determine unsafe trends.
The ‘de-identified’ information from confidential reports may be forwarded by the ATSB to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority for appropriate action. The information may also be used to issue information briefs or alert bulletins to the maritime community. The ATSB will publish reviews of information from confidential reports and will, with a committee established for the purpose, periodically assess the effectiveness of CMRS.
Details of the scheme may be obtained from the ATSB’s Internet site www.atsb.gov.au
Persons wishing to make a report under CMRS may wish to consult the Navigation (Confidential Marine Reporting Scheme) Regulations particularly for details of who may or may not submit a report and what issues may be reported. The Regulations are not long and convoluted; they may be obtained from the ATSB Website or on request to the ATSB.
Reports may be made by telephone, email or fax, or by downloading, completing
and posting (free of cost within Australia) the confidential
marine reporting form[
PDF: 46Kb] offline. This form is also available online at the ATSB website:
http://www.atsb.gov.au/notification/cmrs/index.aspx
Reports or queries advice on CMRS should be directed to:-
Reply Paid 600
The Manager CMRS
PO Box 600
Civic Square, ACT 2608
Australia
Telephone:1800 020 505 (toll free Australia wide)
Facsimile: 02 6274 6461
E-mail: cmrs@atsb.gov.au
Clive Davidson
Chief Executive Officer
9 August 2004
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
GPO Box 2181
CANBERRA ACT 2601
File No: 033136
Term of Validity: Routine
Internet address for all current Marine Notices: www.amsa.gov.au