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AMSA fatigue risk management plan—advisory notice

The purpose of this advisory note is to inform coastal pilots and pilotage providers of the promulgation of the revised AMSA Fatigue Risk Management Plan.

The revised March 2015 FRMP replaces the previous March 2013 FRMP.

The March 2015 FRMP incorporates feedback and amendments proposed by individual coastal pilots and pilotage providers as part of an extensive consultation and revision process.

Key changes to the FRMP are outlined below:

  • After three (3) consecutive Inner Route pilotages have been conducted with only one (1) optimal nights rest separating each pilotage, then two (2) optimal nights rest are required before any other pilotage can be conducted. The requirement for two optimal nights rest previously applied to subsequent Inner Route voyages only.
  • No more than five (5) consecutive pilotages that accrue one (1) point can be conducted without a minimum rest of 24 hours (which must include an optimal nights rest) before the commencement of any subsequent pilotage. This is a new requirement.
  • Any pilot who travels continuously for a period of six (6) hours (or more) to commence a roster cycle, must have no less than eight (8) hours uninterrupted rest (at a suitable location agreed between the pilot and the pilotage provider), before departing the same place of rest to commence the first pilotage of the roster cycle. This is a new requirement.
  • The ‘optimal core rest period’ is now any continuous eight hour period between the hours of 2100hrs to 0700hrs. The period was previously between 2200hrs and 0600hrs.
  • Leave break periods must not be less than 10 consecutive days. The minimum leave break period was previously 14 days.

The rest requirements specified in the FRMP are the minimum requirements. Pilotage providers can establish greater internal requirements for minimum rest periods for pilots than those mentioned in the FRMP.

Attention is drawn to the information contained on page 8 of the FRMP regarding pilots’ individual responsibilities to monitor and manage personal levels of fatigue and action that must be taken should a pilot consider the specified rest period(s) inadequate for any reason. 

Last updated: 21 September 2020