Transfer Operations at Sea and in Coastal Waters
Marine Notice 7/2008
This notice supersedes Marine Notice 6/2002 which is now cancelled.
Reports are received from time to time of proposed ship-to-ship transfers of oil, chemical or liquefied gas cargoes at sea in the vicinity of the Australian coast.
The practice of transfers at sea is commonplace in some designated areas overseas, where special precautions are taken to counter the associated risks of collision and pollution. No areas have been designated off the Australian coast for such purposes and the practice of using random locations to suit commercial requirements needs to be closely monitored.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), as the Commonwealth Authority responsible for maritime safety and the prevention of ship-sourced pollution, is anxious to ensure that all necessary precautions are taken whenever a ship-to-ship transfer of persons, cargo or other goods is undertaken at sea in the vicinity of the Australian coast or within port limits. To this end, and to enable the appropriate Maritime Safety Information to be promulgated, it is requested that early notification be forwarded to the Authority when such operations are intended, together with relevant contingency plans. It is suggested that such contingency plans take into account the "Ship to Ship Transfer Guide (Petroleum)" developed by the International Chamber of Shipping Marine Forum.
Notifications for this purpose should be directed to the Authority's Canberra office, as listed below, and to the appropriate AMSA area office.
Information provided should include: the date and place of the proposed transfer and full details of the ships involved, the purpose of the transfer, materials to be transferred, technical details of cargo including temperatures and pressures, where appropriate, whether other craft (such as tugs) are to be in attendance and what equipment is to be provided to assist in manoeuvring, pollution prevention, cargo transfer and arrangements for oversight of other vessels in the transfer area.
Notifications should be forwarded to:
General Manager
Maritime Operations Division
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
PO Box 2181
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: 02 6279 5935
Fax: 02 6279 5071
Email: Reports@amsa.gov.au
Graham Peachey
Chief Executive Officer
17 March 2008
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
GPO Box 2181
CANBERRA ACT 2601
File No: C94/1698
Internet address for all current Marine Notices: www.amsa.gov.au