A total of 67 domestic commercial vessel incidents were reported to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) in December 2019. Of these, 11 were serious. Reporting of casualties plays an important part for AMSA to improve maritime safety on Australian waters.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority reports of an incident concerning the master of “Asphalt Spirit” tanker who was detained after failing to report of the vessel’s engine failure on time, fined $3000 and a conviction was recorded.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority issued a safety alerting, highlighting the risks involved when entering and departing a vessel, commenting that it is a legal requirement under the national law to provide safe access to a vessel.
As Australia Post outlets are closed in multiple smoke and fire affected areas of Australia, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said its ability to get approved certificates and permissions may be impacted. Australia has been involved in a months-long wildfire crisis.
AMSA issued a marine notice to advise vessel owners, operators and masters of Australia’s requirements for the use of scrubbers, as the implementation of the IMO 2020 sulphur cap is entering into force on 1st January, in line with MARPOL Annex VI and Australia’s domestic law.
According to a recent statement, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has signed a contract with the aim to remove the pollution caused by the container ship YM Efficiency, when it lost 81 containers off Newcastle last year. According to the statement, AMSA is committed to “keeping the local community informed about the clean-up operation and will be holding community information sessions in the new year where members of the public will be given a detailed briefing on how the clean-up will take place and can ask any questions they like.”
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority announced a collaboration with the Queensland Police Service and Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol to raise awareness on marine safety, via a safety campaign which will promote education and regulations concerning commercial dory fishing operations.
AMSA informed that on 1 July 2020 it will discontinue its Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) service. The increased accuracy of GPS and introduction of other global positioning constellations, such as GLONASS, GALILEO and Beidou, mean that AMSA’s DGPS service is no longer needed.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority highlights the importance of a two-way communication between the parent vessel and their dories or tenders, to boost safety and “be there” to assist or in case of an urgent medical help.
AMSA issues a marine notice focusing on the topic of pilot transfer arrangements, reminding seafarers that it is crucial to provide safe pilot transfer arrangements in favour of seafarers’ safety and prevention of accidents.AMSA refers to a number of accidents that have taken place in Australia from 2017 because of ladders.
