MARINE NOTICE 17 / 2010:
Incident Reporting and AMSA Service Charter
The purpose of this marine notice is to remind ship’s masters and owners/operators of the need to report general, dangerous goods and pollution incidents to AMSA. It also introduces AMSA’s Service Charter for Incident Reporting
Incident Reporting
Details of how and when such reports are required, the format to be used and how to make contact with AMSA are provided on the AMSA web site.
General Reporting
The requirement for general incident reporting covers accidents, damage to ships, injuries to crew and births, deaths and marriages under the following legislative instruments:
- Section 18 of the Transport Safety Investigation (TSI) Act 2003
- Section 268 of the Navigation Act 1912
- Section 269 of the Navigation Act 1912
- Section 417 of the Navigation Act 1912
- Marine Orders Part 32 (Cargo Handling Equipment)
- Section 107 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) Act 1993
Masters and/or ships operators/owners are also required to report the loss, or the likely loss, of:
- Dangerous goods in packaged form (SOLAS VII/6) under Marine Orders Part 41; and
- Dangerous goods in solid form in bulk (SOLAS VII/7-4) Under Marine Orders Part 34.
In accordance with the principals in IMO resolution A.851(20), this can be achieved using the report prescribed in Marine Orders Part 94 for harmful substances.
Pollution Reporting
Reporting of marine pollution incidents is required for vessel of 15 meters, or more, in length in the event of discharge of oil or noxious liquid substances (NLS) in excess of the rates permitted by MARPOL or of any discharge of environmentally hazardous materials in packaged form. Reports must also be made for any, failure or breakdown of a ship of 15 metres in length or above which:
- affects the safety of the ship; or
- results in impairment of the safety of navigation.
For such incidents a separate notice is provided here.
Service Charter for Incident Reporting
The AMSA Service Charter for incident reporting was developed in consultation with AMSA’s stakeholders and staff. It covers the Maritime Operations Division (MOD) functions in regard to general incident and dangerous goods reporting. It sets out the services provided by AMSA, the level of service that a stakeholder can expect to receive and the process by which the stakeholders concerns may be addressed. It also provides the contact details for AMSA offices and where advice may be sought. The Service Charter can be accessed here.
Mick Kinley
A/g Chief Executive Officer
4 November 2010
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
GPO Box 2181,
Canberra City ACT 2601
File No: 2010/934
Internet Address for all current Marine Notices: www.amsa.gov.au