Conventions underpinning marine orders

International conventions

Treaties to which Australia is a signatory are available on the:

• Australian Treaties database
• Australian Treaties library.

and then search for the title or the subject of the international convention. 

Australian Standards

Australian Standards can be purchased online from SAI GLOBAL.

1. Enter the code (eg IEC 60331-1 Ed 1.0 2009-5) in the search bar.
2. Select the product and process using the information provided.

Printed copies of all Australian Standards are available in the National Library of Australia and the State Library of NSW.

IEC Standards and ISO Standards

International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC) standards and International Standards Organization (ISO) standards can be purchased online from SAI GLOBAL.

1. Enter the code (eg. IEC 60331-1 Ed 1.0 2009-5) in the search.
2. Select the product and process using the information provided.

Limited numbers of IEC and ISO standards are available in print format at the National Library of Australia and some state libraries. Contact your state library for availability.

International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)

• Search for this convention on the Australian Treaties database or Australian Treaties library.
• A consolidated copy of the SOLAS Convention can be purchased from IMO or through specialist maritime book outlets in Australia.
• To borrow a consolidated copy of SOLAS from a library in Australia search for the title on the Australian Libraries Gateway.

IMO circulars

Register for a public account on the IMO website then navigate to the 'Circulars' tab to download the document.

IMO circulars relating to EPIRBS or life rafts

• Register for a public account on the IMO website then navigate to the 'Circulars' tab.
• Click on ‘MSC’.
• Under the ‘MSC.1’ tab, scroll to the required circular number.

Load Lines Convention

• Search for this convention on the Australian Treaties database or Australian Treaties library.
• A consolidated copy of the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 (1966 LL Convention) (2005 Edition) can be purchased from IMO or through specialist maritime book outlets in Australia.
• To borrow a copy of the Load Lines Convention from a library in Australia, search for the title on the Australian Libraries Gateway.

International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW Convention)

STCW convention base document is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Australian Treaty Series website.

A consolidated copy of the STCW convention can be purchased from International Maritime Organization (IMO) or through specialist maritime book outlets in Australia. 

Amendments to the STCW convention

• 1995 amendments adopted the STCW code.
• 2010 Manila amendments (in STCW/Conference documents – STCW/CONF.2/33)
  1. Register for a public account on the IMO website.
  2. Log in to IMODOCS public area.
  3. Click on ‘Meeting Documents’.
  4. Under ‘Conference’ heading click on 'STCW/CONF Documents'.
  5. Scroll to STCW/CONF2/33.
• Amendments in IMO Resolutions: MSC.21(59), MSC.33(63), MSC.66(68), MSC.203(81), MSC.373(93)s

STCW code

A consolidated copy of the STCW Code (contains the technical details associated with the Convention) can be purchased from the IMO or through specialist maritime book outlets in Australia.

Amendments to the STCW code

Amendments in IMO Resolutions: MSC.67(68), MSC.78(70), MSC.156(78), MSC.180(79), MSC.209(81), MSC.374(93)

International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969

• Access a copy from the Australian Treaties library or database.
• A copy of the International Conference on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969 (1970 Edition) can be purchased from the International Maritime Organization or through specialist maritime book outlets in Australia.

International Code of Signals

Published by the IMO.

• To borrow a consolidated copy of the Code from a library in Australia search for the title on the Australian Libraries Gateway.
• This code can also be purchased from the IMO or through specialist maritime book outlets in Australia.

International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR Manual)

Published jointly by International Civil Aviation Organization and the IMO.

• A copy of the IAMSAR Manual (three volumes) can be purchased from IMO or through specialist maritime book outlets in Australia.
• To borrow a copy of the IAMSAR Manual from a library in Australia, search for the title on the Australian Libraries Gateway.

International Telecommunications Union (ITU) publications

• ITU publications are available from the ITU. A printed copy can also be purchased from ITU or through specialist maritime book outlets in Australia.
• To borrow a copy of the publication from an Australian library, search for the title on the Australian Libraries Gateway.  

International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, (COLREG) attached to the Prevention of Collisions Convention

• Search for regulation on the Australian Treaties database or Australian Treaties library.
• See also amendments to COLREGs in IMO Resolutions A.464(XII), A.626(15), A.678(16), A.736(18), A.910(22), A.1004(25), and A.1085(28). 
• The 2003 consolidated edition (COLREG 1972) can be purchased from the IMO or through specialist maritime book outlets in Australia.

Ships’ Routeing

Published by the IMO.

• To borrow a consolidated copy of Ships’ Routeing from a library in Australia, search for the title on the Australian Libraries Gateway.
• The book can also be purchased from the IMO or through specialist maritime book outlets in Australia.
• The routeing measures to control the navigation of ships are listed in this publication. Routeing measures are marked on nautical charts used for navigation of vessels.

Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers (BLU Code)

Download from the IMO website.

1. Click on ‘Knowledge Centre’.
2. Navigate to ‘Index of IMO Resolutions’ tab.
3. Navigate  to ‘Maritime Safety Committee (MSC)’.
4. Scroll to relevant resolution number.

The BLU Code, BLU Manual and other material relating to loading and unloading are included in the supplement to the latest consolidated edition of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code.

Medical first aid guide for use in accidents involving dangerous goods (MFAG)

This is included in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. It is also known as the 'Chemicals supplement to the international medical guide for ships'. 

The revised text of this first aid guide was formally associated with the IMDG Code in 1998 by MSC/Circ.857. Refer to the IMO website for the latest edition of the IMDG Code (IMO resolution MSC.328(90) as amended by MSC.372(93)).

International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code 

• IMO resolution MSC.122(75) as amended by MSC.406(96)
• A consolidated copy of the IMDG Code can be purchased from IMO or through specialist maritime book outlets in Australia.
• To borrow a copy of the IMDG Code from a library in Australia, search for the title of the book on the Australian Libraries Gateway.

The Recommendations on the Safe Use of Pesticides in Ships are also reproduced in the Supplement to the IMDG Code.

International Code for the Safe Carriage of Packaged Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes on Board Ships (INF Code)

• IMO resolution MSC.88(71), amended by  MSC.118(74); MSC.135(76); MSC.178(79); MSC.241(83)
• To borrow a copy of the INF Code from a library in Australia, search for the title of the book on the Australian Libraries Gateway.

Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) module

Register for a public account on the IMO website then navigate to Radiocommunications, and Search and Rescue.

Admiralty List of Radio Signals

• The Admiralty List of Radio Signals NP286(4) Volume 6 can be purchased from United Kingdom Hydrographic Office or through specialist maritime book outlets in Australia.
• To borrow a copy of the Admiralty List of Radio Signals from a library in Australia, search for the title on the Australian Libraries Gateway.

Accreditation and approval process for VTS training 

Download the accreditation and approval process for VTS training (IALA Guideline No.1014) from the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA).

Standards for training and certification of VTS personnel

Download the Standards for Training and Certification of VTS Personnel (IALA Recommendation V-103) from the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA).

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)

• Search for it on the Australian Treaties database or Australian Treaties library.
• MARPOL (Consolidated Edition 2011) can be purchased from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) or through specialist maritime book outlets in Australia.
• To borrow a consolidated copy of MARPOL from a library in Australia search for the title on the Australian Libraries Gateway.
• Information on purchasing or obtaining access to MARPOL is also available on our website.

MEPC IMO Resolutions

1.         Click on ‘Knowledge Centre’ 
2.         Navigate to‘Index of IMO Resolutions’ 
3.         Navigate to ‘Assembly’ or ‘Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC)’ 
4.         Scroll to relevant resolution number.

International Convention for Safe Containers, 1972 (CSC 1972)

• Search for it on the Australian Treaties database or Australian Treaties library.
• A consolidated copy of the SOLAS and CSC Conventions can be purchased from IMO or through specialist maritime book outlets in Australia.
• To borrow a consolidated copy of SOLAS or CSC from a library in Australia, search for the title on the Australian Libraries Gateway.

International Chamber of Shipping Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations (ICS Guide) 4th Edition (2008)

• The ICS Guide is available to purchase from the International Chamber of Shipping.
• To borrow a copy of the ICS Guide from a library in Australia, search for the title of the book on the Australian Libraries Gateway. 

International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships, 2001 (AFS Convention)

• Search for it in the Australian Treaties database or Australian Treaties library.
• Purchase a consolidated version from the IMO or a specialist maritime book outlet.
• Borrow a consolidated copy from a library - search for the title on the Australian Libraries Gateway. 

Guidelines for The Training and Experience of Key DP Personnel, International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) M117

• Purchase a copy at International Marine Contractors Association.
• Borrow a copy from AMSA via AMSA Connect.