NEWS

AMSA SENDS NOTICE REGARDING MISREPRESENTATIONS BY ACCREDITED SURVEYORS

AMSA today forwarded a letter outlining their response to several complaints raised by the AIMS over the past few months regarding AMSA accredited surveyors misrepresenting their accreditation or using misleading advertising. 

AIMS has received complaints from shippers and members advising that some AMSA accredited surveyors are engaging in misleading practices. Shippers advise that they are confused as to whether the surveyor is an AMSA PSC surveyor and whether the scheduled survey is actually being carried out on behalf of AMSA.

AMSA do not outsource PSC inspections to private surveyors and shippers and AIMS members should note that AMSA accredited surveyors are not accredited to carry out PSC or Flag State Inspections. They are only accredited to carry out statutory surveys for domestic commercial vessels under 35 metres.

A copy of the AMSA response can be downloaded here

Updated information from Department of Health Updated advice for commercial vessels dated 17 March 2020.final.pdf

The AIMS will continue to post what information we have and ask all marine surveyors to pass on any new information that might be of value to our members.

The AIMS is concerned that surveyors have received little or no information on how to protect themselves from the Coronavirus when boarding vessels from China.

Of particular concern are those vessels that have been berthed in China for a period of time, vessels that have recently visited China or vessels with Chinese crew who may be affected.

While many employers have been pro-active in WHS practices we encourage all marine surveyors to take personal responsibility for their health and well being.

How to protect yourself

Follow information published on the Department of Health’s website as it will be the most up to date.https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov

There are currently no vaccines available to protect you against human coronavirus infection. You may be able to reduce your risk of infection by doing the following

• wash your hands before and after attending a vessel with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and wear disposable rubber gloves while on board the vessel
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• avoid close contact with people or crew who appear sick or have flu like symptoms by wearing a mask

General Practice

• Make sure your personal protective equipment includes gloves, masks (PP2) and eye wear when conducting surveys on vessels arriving from affected regions

• Authorised officers should also wear protective equipment and should note that they have delegation and a responsibility to report any vessel that they believe may have affected crew to the Department of Health as soon as practical.

If any marine surveyor or Authorised Officer suspects any crew on board a vessel may have contracted the virus, report the matter immediately to the relevant state health authority and refer yourself to a Doctor.

The link to State and Territory Health Departments is listed below

https://www.health.gov.au/about-us/contact-us/local-state-and-territory-health-departmentshttps://www.health.gov.au/about-us/contact-us/local-state-and-territory-health-departments

Information for international vessels regarding the novel coronavirus 

Dear shipping agents

In response to the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019 –nCoV) in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, the Department of Agriculture is requesting that shipping agents provide information to all vessels arriving in Australia.

You may have already received an email asking you to provide factsheets to vessel masters and crew following the lodgement of pre-arrival reporting. This factsheet includes information about coronavirus. It is important that all crew have access to this fact sheet, particularly crew who have been in mainland China. A copy of that fact sheet is available here: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-information-for-travellers-arriving-in-australia-from-china-zhi-cong-zhong-guo-di-ao-lu-ke-you-guan-xin-xing-guan-zhuang-bing-du-de-xin-xi

The Department of Agriculture conducts risk assessments of human health on international vessels on behalf of the Department of Health. Mandatory pre arrival reporting of human health on board international vessels must be undertaken at least 12 hours prior to the vessel’s arrival into Australian territorial waters. This reporting is an important part of preventing the spread of the virus and promoting the health and safety of crew, port workers, and the general public. The Vessel Master must also update the human health status on board the vessel if any changes occur while the vessel is in Australian waters.

Where pre-arrival reporting indicates a human health risk, biosecurity officers will conduct an assessment, and where necessary work with state and territory health departments to manage the risk to the ill person, healthy passengers and crew, seaport personnel, border staff and health professionals.

The Department of Health has dedicated resources related to 2019-nCoV available here: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-resources. These resources may help you, your staff, and your clients to understand the virus and its implications for your business. Information on this page is updated regularly to reflect the most up-to-date information about the illness.

If you have questions regarding the novel coronavirus, please email coronavirus@agriculture.gov.au.

Kind regards,

Guy

Guy Bursle

Director

Conveyances and Ports | Compliance Controls

Department of Agriculture

Ph: +61 2 6272 5301 | +61 466 792 851

On Sunday the 20th October the new and remedial works to our National Merchant Navy War Memorial were unveiled by Senator, The Honorable Linda Reynolds CSC, Minister for Defence and Senator for Western Australia.

The ceremony took place at the Merchant Navy Memorial at Kings Park on Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra and AIMS President Peter Murday and CEO Susan Hull were invited to lay a wreath in honour of those who served during the Great War on troop carriers taking our men from Australia to Europe and to those who lost their lives.

It was a honour to be able to participate in this ceremony said Murday and we thank David Field from the Merchant Navy Memorial Fund for his very kind invitation and the opportunity for us to pay our respects on behalf of our members.

The Merchant Navy Memorial Fund vision is to ensure that the Australian Merchant Navy "A title emblazoned in battle and honoured in freedom" is recognised as an important part of Australian Maritime History and Social Culture.

This fund will be the AIMS charity for 2020 and we hope to support it's good works.

The Honorable Linda Reynolds CSC, Minister for Defence and Senator for Western Australia gave a moving speech which can be downloaded here. The Honorable Linda Reynolds CSC, Minister for Defence and Senator for Western Australia. .pdf

The Red Ensign, commemorating the Merchant Navy will be flown or displayed at all AIMS official functions during 2020

I would like to thank all of our wonderful sponsors and supporters of the Biennial Conference and Awards for Excellence.

The conference day itself was a huge success (photo's coming soon) and 71 delegates were treated to a wide range of informative presentations that included information on biofouling and aquatic bio-security by Michael Sierp, the survey of composites in the modern era by Mark McIlwain, Safe Shipping of Solid Bulk Cargo by Tim Evans, Securing the South China Sea by Professor Douglas Guilfoyle, Incoterms by Kerryn Wooning  and the Strength of Membership by BIA's Nik Parker.

We were very fortunate indeed to also have presenters from AMSA and the Department of Agriculture.

AMSA, our gold sponsor for both the conference and Awards dinner opened the conference with an inspiring speech and Al Schwartz, GM Operations presented the Steve Beale award with Susan Beale, wife of the late Steve Beale.

Our silver sponsor was Hunter Marine Services and Bronze Sponsors were

Cargo Care, Australian Marine Surveys, AMSPEC CR Cox and of course BRIC Insurance.

Thanks to all of our sponsors, without you the day would not have been the great success that it was.

MSC approved measures to improve the safety of seafarers during mooring operations

were incorporated during the committee meeting.

It amends SOLAS regulation and guidelines to improve the current situation where

accidents and unsafe work situations frequently happen during mooring operations.

These amendments require appropriate and safe-to-use designs of mooring

arrangements and introduce a maintenance and inspection regime with proper

documentation.

It also includes work situations where crew members are exposed to excessive dynamic

forces, heavy manual work processes and unfavorable weather conditions.

Further details can be found via mfame article. 

http://mfame.guru/imo-approves-measures-to-improve-mooring-safety/

AMSA are seeking your feedback on proposed changes to Marine Order 47 (Offshore Industry Units).

This consultation may be of interest to owners, operators and designers of offshore industry units, as well as recognised organisations. Offshore industry units include mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs), floating production, storage and offtake vessels (FPSOs), floating storage units (FSUs), floating liquefied natural gas facilities (FLNGs), floating central processing facilities (CPFs) and similar. The are seeking your feedback on the following:

• Does the draft marine order clarify obligations for the survey and certification of offshore industry units?
• Does the marine order provide sufficient practicality in terms of complying with drydock alternatives such as in-water hull inspections?

The consultation is open until Monday 1 July 2019 and it is intended that these amendments will be made to the current order with effect from 1 October 2019.

Read the consultation papers below and have your say.

• Draft Marine Order 47 (Offshore Industry Units)
• Consequential amendments
• Guidance material
• Tables outlining the changes

How to have your say

Online

Enter your submission online.

Form

Have your say in writing using our public comment form.

If using this form, then you can either:

• email the form to consultation@amsa.gov.au
• post the form to: 
• • Business Support, Standards
    Australian Maritime Safety Authority
    GPO Box 2181
    Canberra ACT 2601

Please find the recommendations below and a link to the full submission HERE.

 

1. That the Committee recommend to the Government that the policy of maritime cabotage be retained in Australia as an important legal principle to underpin regulatory and fiscal support for the Australian shipping industry, a national strategic industry.

2. That the Committee recommend to the Government that it accept that maritime cabotage is the foundation for providing for fair competition in coastal shipping with the objective of maintaining a floor level of Australian ships in Australian coastal seaborne trade and supporting Australian shipping businesses.

3. That the Committee note that the Coalition Government has released a Coastal Shipping Reform Discussion Paper, which proposes administrative changes to the Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Act 2012 (CT Act) which, if translated into legislation, could potentially result in a reduction in red tape, but note that such a reduction in red tape will have the perverse effect of advantaging foreign businesses to the detriment of Australian businesses.

4. That the Committee note that the Australian Government has available to it, alternative mechanisms (alternatives to the current regulatory structure of the CT Act) to implement the principle of maritime cabotage that would reduce red tape and at the same time advantage Australian businesses rather than foreign businesses, these being:

   • (a) Commercialising the CT Act by (i) clarifying the Object of the CT Act and removing ambiguity; and (ii) by introduction of a contestability framework for settling the balance between Australian General Licensed ships and foreign Temporary Licensed ships in coastal trade, based on commercial principles well known in the shipping industry, supported by a commercial arbitration facility and pricing oversight by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC); and or

   • (b) Developing a new and separate ‘maritime crew visa’ for non-nationals employed on ships issued with a Temporary License under the CT Act that includes the same labour market testing and worker entitlement provisions that apply to a 457-work visa.

5. That the Committee recommend that in parallel with the consultation process established by the Government by releasing a Coastal Shipping Reform Discussion Paper, the Government agree that a root and branch review of the potential future role of Australian shipping in the national freight task be undertaken, and that this review task be allocated to the Task Force established by the Government to support the Inquiry into Freight and Supply Chain Productivity announced by the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport on 9 March 2017.

Sourced from the MUA website; http://www.mua.org.au/mua_submission_to_the_senate_inquiry_into_the_effects_of_red_tape_on_cabotage

Panagiotis Galanis, aged 14, is a grade nine student at the Hellenic-American Educational Foundation. Full article for Splash on what he took away from a recent visit to a ship recycling facility in Turkey can be read here; https://splash247.com/ships-ought-to-be-designed-with-dismantling-in-mind/