New Navigation Act 2012 to come into force on 1 July 2013
Australia’s newNavigation Act 2012 (Navigation Act)will come into force on 1 July 2013 and contains new provisions that point directly to the MLC.
Some matters, however, will only be fully regulated on the entry into force of the MLC. Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is currently finalising a new Marine Order, titled: Marine Order 11 (Living and Working conditions on vessels) 2012. This Marine Order will come into force in parallel with the Navigation Act.
Marine Order 11 will contain two distinct parts. The first part addresses those components of the MLC that will be regulated on the entry into force of the Navigation Act.
This will include specific regulations about:
- Accommodation and recreational requirements on board the ship
- Medical care and facilities on-board and ashore, including access to dental care
- Access to and use of sanitary and laundry facilities
- Provision of free supplies of food and water and their storage and handling
- The content of work agreements and their application (noting that vessel owners will be given until the entry into force of the MLC before these will be required)
- Regulations governing rest breaks for seafarers
- Repatriation arrangements
- The inspection regime and certification (noting that vessel owners will be given until the entry into force of the MLC before this will be required)
- Rights for younger seafarers
The second part will contain regulations that will come into effect on 20 August 2013:
- Seafarer recruitment and placement services
- Seafarer access to shore based welfare
- The on-board and on-shore complaints handling procedures
Source: AMSA