In this edition:
Tell us what you want to hear about
Happy New Year to all domestic commercial vessel owners, operators, and crew. We look forward to another year of safe and clean seas.
We’re always looking to improve the way we communicate with you, so we want to know what’s important to you. Please email us at communication@amsa.gov.au with any ideas on the kinds of content you would like to read about here. We look forward to hearing from you.
Contact us.
New watertight and weathertight integrity standards
From 1 January 2023 new watertight and weathertight integrity standards have come into effect for new domestic commercial vessel builds.
The new standards address safety risks highlighted by several fatal and serious incidents over the last four decades. Contained in Section C2 of the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV), they replace three technical standards contained in the Uniform Shipping Laws (USL) Code, and reflect current technology, international standards and best practice.
Compliance with the new standard will be voluntary until 1 January 2025. New vessel constructions commencing in this period will have the option of complying with either NSCV section C2 or USL Code sections 5C, 5D and 7. However, vessel owners will need to comply with one or the other — not elements of both.
Help us help you - our approach to compliance
As a modern regulator, we are committed to transparency and collaboration with industry, which is exactly why we’ve just released the latest iteration of our Compliance Strategy.
The AMSA Compliance Strategy 2023-27 outlines our approach to compliance for the next four years — data-driven, risk-based and proportionate with the ultimate goal of minimising regulatory impact on industry while maximising safety and environmental outcomes.
Read the 2023-27 Compliance Strategy.
New air pollution regulations now in effect
From 1 January 2023, new short-term air pollution requirements apply to owners, operators, and agents of Regulated Australian Vessels that are cargo and passenger vessels; and to foreign flagged cargo and passenger vessels operating in Australian waters.
International cargo and passenger vessels of 400GT and above are now required to make technical energy efficiency improvements under the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) framework.
Ships of 5,000GT and above are required to make operational energy efficiency improvements under the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) framework.
Find out more about Marine Order 97.
Monthly domestic commercial vessel incident reports
During December 2022, there were 120 reported incidents involving domestic commercial vessels. Of these, 21 were serious and one was very serious.
Read the incident report
Cray pot rope tangle sends person overboard
This month’s safety lesson report examines how regular drills on safety management system emergency procedures led to a person overboard being saved quickly.
Every month we share an overview of a domestic commercial vessel incident investigation, and the safety lesson you can learn to ensure safe operations on board your vessel.
Read the monthly safety lesson.
