Here is some information that might help:
Domestic commercial vessel operations
There are federal and state government requirements that the maritime industry must comply with to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including regular check-ins, social distancing and hygiene measures.
Operating charter businesses
The rules around social distancing including which businesses may operate differ from place to place and we have no control over how these public health orders are made or when they are relaxed.
These rules are subject to change, so we encourage you to keep in regular contact with your local maritime and health authorities.
The following links to state and territory information may help:
Social distancing for passenger and non-passenger vessels
The Department of Health announced social distancing requirements to slow the spread of COVID-19. These requirements are being enforced by state and territory authorities.
The Department of Health has also published information about routine environmental cleaning and disinfection in the community that covers cleaning requirements for frequently touched surfaces and minimally touched surfaces. This advice is directly applicable to the maritime environment. Read also the Department of Health's information for employers to find out how you can safeguard your workplace.
Our advice to the DCV industry is to take a risk assessment approach, implementing control measures suitable for your operation while taking into consideration state and federal government health advice.
If you think you are able to comply with government health requirements and continue to operate, you should include a risk assessment in your safety management system which identifies how and what you will do to comply with these requirements.
As always, marine incidents should continue to be reported including those related to COVID-19 that may impact vessel safety. Please also take into consideration any other reporting requirements in relation to COVID-19 in your state or territory.
More information about social distancing
You can keep up to date with latest Australian government information about COVID-19.
Find links to state and territory information to find out how the restrictions are being enforced.
Compliance
We will still conduct inspections and other compliance activities as necessary, including following-up on incidents, and we will continue to investigate the most serious of incidents.
We will continue to apply our compliance and enforcement policy in all cases, and where the risk is such that action must be taken AMSA and its compliance partners will do so. However, we will continue to work with you to bring your operation back into compliance and back on the water as soon as possible.
This is a shared challenge, which comes with a shared obligations and responsibilities to ensure that you can operate safety, and with as little regulatory burden as possible.
Inspections
We have some measures and guidelines (PDF 478.05 KB) that vessel owners and operators are required to implement on their vessels during the COVID-19 pandemic when AMSA Marine Inspectors are attending the vessel.
Certificate exemptions
For operators and seafarers that find themselves unable to comply with the National Law due to COVID-19, we have a wide range of National Law Act Exemptions that may be of assistance.
Exemption 42 and Exemption 43 expired on 31 July 2021. If you believe that your operation continues to be impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and you cannot meet the renewal requirements of your certification, you can apply for one of the exemptions in the link above or alternatively a specific exemption.
Support services
Information about the Government's new measures to provide support to affected workers and businesses during the COVID-19 period.
Australian border closures
Maritime Industry Australia Limited (MIAL) have made available to industry the MIAL Australian Maritime COVID-19 Border Closures Table. You can find out more information about this on the MIAL website.
