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NMSC Programs and Projects

The NMSC is currently working on more than 20 projects across 3 broad program areas. The projects aim to achieve the goals and strategic actions set out on the National Marine Safety Strategy. The program areas and the projects being undertaken are summarised below:

National Consistency

One of the main problems identified by a review of marine safety arrangements in Australia undertaken in 1996, was the fact that the states and territories around Australia have differing administrative arrangements and legislation for marine safety. This has resulted in a situation where marine agencies don’t always recognise each other’s Certificates of Survey for vessels and crew qualifications. In the past this has created restrictions to the movement of vessels and crew between states.

The projects in this program aim to achieve the following outcomes.

• National consistency in marine safety legislation.

• Consistent adoption and application of the USL code in its entirety.

• Regular communication with industry and community groups through publication of Newsletters.

• Regular revision of the Marine Safety Strategy to ensure national consistency is maintained.

• National data on marine incidents that becomes the basis for the development of safety programs.

• National system for reporting and investigating incidents.

• Impediments to mutual recognition removed.

Key achievements to date

• Publication of the following manuals in the National Marine Guidance Manual series:

  Administrative Protocol for the Mutual Recognition of Vessel Certificates of Survey – January 2000

  Guidelines for Australian Marine Pilotage Standards – January 2000

  Recognition of ADF Marine Qualifications – November 2000

• Publication of a regular national newsletter – Safety Lines

Projects underway

• National Marine Fatality and Serious Injury Study – report due early 2002.

• National Marine Incident Data Base – ongoing, marine agencies have commenced the collection of standardised data and will be providing data to a centralised data base from end of 2001.

• Regulatory Impact Statements – ongoing, the NMSC produces RIS for each of its new standards.

• Consistency in adoption of standards – a review is currently underway to look at legislative options for the consistent adoption of standards, commencing with Part D.

• Mutual recognition of vessel survey certificates – all marine agencies have introduced guidelines for the mutual recognition of vessel survey certificates. Work is being undertaken on identifying where there are still impediments to mutual recognition.

Commercial vessel standards

This program looks at technical aspects of commercial vessel safety including operations.

Projects in this program aim to achieve the following outcomes:

• Updated uniform national standards on the design, construction and operation of commercial vessels.

• An agreed national standard for fast craft.

• National registers of compliant safety equipment and vessel exemptions.

• Uniform national standards for crewing and operator competencies.

• Adoption of modern shipboard safety and risk management practices.

Key achievements to date

Development of a new framework for the delivery of commercial vessel standards that includes the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV), Registers, and the National Marine Guidance Manual.

• Publication of the following manual in the National Marine Guidance Manual series:

  Guidelines for Onboard Safety Training – Australian Domestic Vessels – November 2000

• Preparation of final drafts of the following Parts of the NSCV following public consultation:

  Part A – Safety Obligations (December 2000)

  Part B – General Requirements (December 2000)

  Part C – Design and Construction, Section 5 Engineering, Subsection 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D

  Part D – Crew Competencies

• Release of NSCV Part F – Special Craft, Section 1Fast Craft, Subsection 1A and 1B for public comment – August 2001

• Release of an issues paper on Fire Safety – September 2001

• Various workshops and conferences

• Launch of the web-based National Register of Compliant Equipment - July 2001

Projects underway

• National Register of Vessel Exemptions – a national database of vessel exemptions for use by marine agencies to aid mutual recognition.

• Drafting and development of the following Parts of the NSCV:

  Part C – Design and Construction, Section 7 Equipment

  Part E – Operations

  Part F – Special Craft, Section 1 Fast Craft Subsection 1C

  Part C – Section 4 Fire Safety

Recreational boat standards

This program looks at issues relating to standards for recreational vessels. Projects in this program aim to achieve the following outcomes:

• Common competency standards for recreational vessel operators.

• National standards for recreational boats.

• National standards for safety equipment for recreational boats.

• Encourage appropriate and responsible use of recreational boats.

• Enhance safety of recreational boat occupants.

Key achievements to date

• Publication of the following manuals in the National Marine Guidance Manual series:

Principles for a Common National Standard for Recreational Boat Operator Licences – January 2000

Guidelines for Recreational Operator Competencies – November 2000

• Two surveys undertaken to identify public and industry views on recreational vessel standards – 1999 and 2000.

• Discussion paper on National standards for recreational safety equipment released for public comment – December 2000

• National Standard for Recreational Boat Safety Equipment released for public comment - September 2001

Projects underway

• National Compliance Plate Program – Industry supported program that will result in all new vessels being fitted with a plate providing information on vessel buoyancy, engine capacity, number of passengers and maximum engine rating. Will also result in standardised and comprehensive owners manuals.