Wheelhouse visibility, escape, accommodation, and personal safety – proposed changes

Chapter 

Proposed Change 

Reason for the change 

All

Modernise the format and make the standard easier to read.

Stakeholder feedback that NSCV C1 is overly complex and difficult to understand. 

Clarification around the definition of 'special working decks' and 'working decks'. Further mitigation of persons overboard and recovery of persons overboard by improving technology and developing a no-climb zone. 

Industry feedback and a high number of enquires seeking clarification on what is a 'special working deck' and a 'working deck'. 

Toilet and ship sanitation facilities – voyage times and requirement changes. 

Industry feedback and a high number of exemptions sorted by industry.  

Simplification of the required outcomes to improve readability. 

Stakeholder feedback that the NSCV C1 is overly complex and difficult to understand. 

Simplify the operating stations, visibility and steering visibility chapter for the industry. 

Stakeholder feedback that NSCV C1 is overly complex and difficult to understand. 

Old chapter 4 covering COLREGs deleted. NSCV C7C – Navigation Equipment clause 4.4 Consequential amendments, after deleting chapter 4 of NSCV C1

NSCV C1 COLREG chapter was one page and largely covered by NSCV C7C – Navigation Equipment. This has simplified C1 and reduced duplication. 

Minor changes to headroom for larger vessels.

Based on international standards and Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006. 

Improved requirements around ventilation, both natural and mechanical to improve air quality. 

Lessons learnt from the current COVID-19 pandemic and best practice health advice. 

Noise levels, by pointing to already adopted WHS requirements. 

Concurrent legislation exists. 

Incorporate National and International standards – Examples include disability access standards, MLC 2006 requirements, stair and ladder requirements.

Industry feedback and best practice to allow alternatives for compliance. 

Escape lighting and signage requirements for all class 1, 2 and 3 vessels. 

Coronial recommendations linked to several fatalities. 

Escape routes and design of escapes serving a space. 

Stakeholder feedback and internal issues were raised. 

Modernising the low-capacity escape solutions within the standard 

Industry feedback about 1.5m vertical ladders for low-capacity escapes while considering the WHS risk associated. 

Minor update to requirements for steps in stairways ased on updates within Australian standards and the National Construction Code. 

To align with minor changes embodied within reference standards. 

Pilot vessel specific safety requirements – colour and continuous safety rails clarified and minor amendments. 

Industry feedback around the clarification of highly visible colour and an operational review of the likely loading case of the continuous safety rails. 

Gangways may not be vessel fitted equipment and could be wharf supplied. Separate the two and develop guidance. 

Concurrent legislation exists.