Control of Naval Waters Regulation 2015
Select Legislative Instrument No. 27, 2015
I, the Honourable Alex Chernov AC QC, Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, make the following regulation.
Dated 26 March 2015
Alex Chernov
Administrator
By His Excellency’s Command
Kevin Andrews
Minister for Defence
Contents
1............ Name................................................................................................... 1
2............ Commencement................................................................................... 1
3............ Authority............................................................................................. 1
4............ Schedules............................................................................................ 1
5............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 1
6............ Exempt vessels.................................................................................... 1
7............ Entry into, or onto the foreshore of, naval waters............................... 2
8............ Removal from naval waters or the foreshore of naval waters.............. 3
9............ Making vessels fast to forts etc........................................................... 3
10.......... Superintendent of naval waters may place moorings in those waters.. 4
11.......... Vessels not to anchor near Commonwealth moorings........................ 4
12.......... Vessels not to anchor near navigable channels in naval waters........... 5
13.......... Vessels not to be near installations etc................................................ 5
14.......... Persons not to be near installations etc................................................ 6
15.......... Vessel not to approach installations.................................................... 7
16.......... Vessels not to impede approaches to installations............................... 7
17.......... Moorings not to be laid in naval waters without permission............... 7
18.......... Vessels not to anchor near electric cables in naval waters................... 8
19.......... Objects hooking moorings etc. to be cleared under directions of superintendent 8
20.......... Crew numbers..................................................................................... 9
21.......... Refuse etc. not to be deposited in or near naval waters....................... 9
22.......... Vessels not to be cleaned without permission................................... 10
23.......... Speed of vessels in naval waters....................................................... 10
24.......... Guns not to be discharged................................................................. 11
25.......... Vessels with dangerous cargoes not to enter naval waters without permission 12
26.......... Vessels carrying dangerous cargoes to display signals..................... 13
27.......... Construction in, or on the foreshore of, naval waters........................ 13
28.......... Search and inspection of vessels in naval waters.............................. 14
29.......... Delegation......................................................................................... 14
Schedule 1—Repeals 15
Control of Naval Waters Regulations 1922 15
1 Name
This is the Control of Naval Waters Regulation 2015.
2 Commencement
This instrument commences on the day after it is registered.
3 Authority
This instrument is made under the Control of Naval Waters Act 1918.
4 Schedules
Each instrument that is specified in a Schedule to this instrument is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this instrument has effect according to its terms.
5 Definitions
Note: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:
(a) exempt vessel;
(b) installation;
(c) naval waters;
(d) superintendent.
In this instrument:
Act means the Control of Naval Waters Act 1918.
6 Exempt vessels
A reference in this instrument to a vessel (other than a reference to an exempt vessel) does not include a reference to an exempt vessel.
Note: Exempt vessel is defined in subsection 2(1) of the Act.
7 Entry into, or onto the foreshore of, naval waters
(1) If the superintendent of any naval waters is satisfied that it is in the interests of:
(a) public safety; or
(b) the safety of property; or
(c) the defence of the Commonwealth;
the superintendent may, by notice:
(d) prohibit or restrict the entry of vessels or persons into those naval waters or any specified part of those naval waters; or
(e) prohibit or restrict the entry of vehicles or persons onto the foreshore of those naval waters or any specified part of that foreshore.
(2) A prohibition or restriction under subsection (1) may be:
(a) absolute; or
(b) subject to any approval given by the superintendent by notice; or
(c) subject to any conditions imposed by the superintendent by notice.
(3) The superintendent of any naval waters must cause a notice under subsection (1) or paragraph (2)(b) or (c) to be given to such person or persons, in such manner, at such time and in such place as is reasonably required for the protection of the public, or any person who may be affected by the use by the Commonwealth of those naval waters, as the case may be, having regard to:
(a) the purpose for which those waters are used by the Commonwealth; and
(b) the time when those waters are so used; and
(c) the risk of injury to persons; and
(d) the risk of damage to, or interference with, Commonwealth or other property; and
(e) the forms of communication and the time available for giving the notice.
(4) A person commits an offence if:
(a) a notice is given under this section; and
(b) the person engages in conduct; and
(c) the conduct is not in accordance with the notice; and
(d) the person is reckless as to the circumstance in paragraph (c).
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
(5) Strict liability applies to paragraph (4)(a).
(6) Nothing in section 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 23, 25 or 26 affects the operation of this section.
8 Removal from naval waters or the foreshore of naval waters
The superintendent of any naval waters may cause to be removed from, or from the foreshore of, those waters:
(a) persons who, in those waters or on that foreshore, have contravened a notice given under this instrument; or
(b) persons who, by entering into those waters or onto that foreshore have contravened a notice given under this instrument.
9 Making vessels fast to forts etc.
(1) The master of a vessel commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the master causes or permits the vessel to be made fast to any fort, Commonwealth mooring, buoy, breakwater, jetty, pile, vessel, or exempt vessel in naval waters; and
(b) the master does not have permission from the superintendent of the naval waters to do so.
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the master has a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).
(3) The superintendent of the naval waters may give or withhold permission under this section. A permission may be given subject to any terms and conditions the superintendent considers appropriate.
(4) The terms and conditions on which permission may be given may, subject to the approval of the Minister, include the imposition of a charge for making a vessel fast to any fort, Commonwealth moorings, buoys, breakwater, jetties, piles, vessels, or exempt vessels, in the naval waters.
(5) The master of a vessel commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the master has been given a permission under this section; and
(b) the master contravenes a term or condition of the permission.
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
(6) Subsection (5) does not apply if the master has a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).
10 Superintendent of naval waters may place moorings in those waters
The superintendent of any naval waters may place in those waters moorings for naval ships, mark buoys, and other aids to navigation, and such other buoys as are required for any purposes in connection with naval or military operations from time to time.
11 Vessels not to anchor near Commonwealth moorings
(1) The master of a vessel commits an offence of strict liability if the master causes or permits the vessel to be anchored or moored:
(a) within 180 metres, or another distance specified by the superintendent, from the centre of a mooring placed under section 10; or
(b) in such a position as to be liable to foul an exempt vessel at a mooring placed under section 10.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the master has a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).
12 Vessels not to anchor near navigable channels in naval waters
(1) The master of a vessel commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the vessel is more than 10 metres in overall length; and
(b) the master causes or permits the vessel:
(i) to be anchored; or
(ii) to be left at any time without a ship‑keeper;
in or near any of the navigable channels of naval waters.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the master has a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).
13 Vessels not to be near installations etc.
(1) The master of a vessel commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the master causes or permits the vessel to dredge, loiter, or anchor in naval waters within 100 metres of an installation, exempt vessel or any other vessel; and
(b) the master does not have written permission from the superintendent of the naval waters to do so.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the master has a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).
(3) The master of a vessel commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the master causes or permits the vessel or a person under his or her control to interfere with an installation in naval waters; and
(b) the master does not have written permission from the superintendent of the naval waters to do so.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply if the master has a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).
14 Persons not to be near installations etc.
(1) A person commits an offence of strict liability if the person:
(a) enters or remains in:
(i) naval waters within 100 metres of an installation, an exempt vessel, or any other vessel, in the waters or on the foreshore of the waters; or
(ii) the foreshore of such waters; and
(b) the person does not have written permission from the superintendent of the naval waters to do so.
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).
(3) A person commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the person engages in conduct that interferes with an installation in naval waters or on the foreshore of naval waters; and
(b) the person does not have written permission from the superintendent of the naval waters to do so.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).
15 Vessel not to approach installations
(1) The master of a vessel commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the master causes or permits the vessel to approach, in naval waters, within 30 metres of an installation, exempt vessel or any other vessel; and
(b) the vessel is not proceeding on Commonwealth business to or from the installation, exempt vessel or other vessel; and
(c) the master does not have written permission from the superintendent of the naval waters to do so.
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the master has a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).
16 Vessels not to impede approaches to installations
(1) The master of a vessel commits an offence of strict liability if the master causes or permits the vessel to lie, or to be moored or anchored, in naval waters in a position that impedes the approach to an installation.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the master has a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).
17 Moorings not to be laid in naval waters without permission
(1) A person commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the person lays a mooring in a position in naval waters; and
(b) the person does not have written permission from the superintendent of the naval waters to lay the mooring in that position.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).
(3) A mooring laid under subsection (1) must, on notice in writing from the superintendent, be removed by the person who is the owner of the mooring.
(4) If:
(a) the superintendent requires, under subsection (3), a mooring in naval waters to be removed; and
(b) the mooring is not removed accordingly;
the superintendent may remove the mooring, and the owner of the mooring must pay to the superintendent the cost of the removal.
18 Vessels not to anchor near electric cables in naval waters
(1) The master of a vessel commits an offence of strict liability if the master causes or permits the vessel to be anchored within 180 metres of the line of an electric cable laid down in naval waters, and indicated by discernible marks erected on shore.
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the master has a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).
19 Objects hooking moorings etc. to be cleared under directions of superintendent
If, at any time, the anchor of, or any other object that is part of or attached to, a vessel hooks any Commonwealth moorings, electric cables, or moorings of buoys in naval waters, the master of the vessel:
(a) must not unhook the anchor or other object, but must, as soon as practicable, give notice of the occurrence to the superintendent of the naval waters; and
(b) must comply with the directions of the superintendent as to the method of clearing the moorings or cables.
20 Crew numbers
(1) The master of a vessel at anchor in naval waters must, if required by the superintendent of those waters by notice in writing, at all times have a sufficient number of persons available to perform any services required for the safety of the vessel.
(2) The master of a vessel lying in naval waters must, if required by the superintendent of those waters by notice in writing, have at least one person on watch on deck at all times.
21 Refuse etc. not to be deposited in or near naval waters
(1) Subject to subsection (5), the superintendent of any naval waters may give a notice permitting a person, or a class of persons, to place material of a specified kind in a position:
(a) in those waters; or
(b) nearby those waters, from which the material is likely to be washed into those waters.
(2) A permission under subsection (1) may be subject to conditions.
(3) A person commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the person causes or permits material to be placed in or nearby naval waters; and
(b) the placement is not in accordance with a notice under this section.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).
(5) Nothing in this section affects the operation of a law of a State or Territory.
(6) In this section, material includes ballast, stones, sand, earth, clay, refuse, ashes, timber, carcasses, rubbish, dust, fuel, oil, refuse from a quarry, mine or pit, and any other pollutant.
22 Vessels not to be cleaned without permission
(1) The superintendent of any naval waters may permit a vessel to be cleaned in those naval waters.
(2) A permission under subsection (1) may be subject to conditions, including conditions about the place for, or the manner of, the cleaning of the vessel.
(3) A person commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the person causes or permits a vessel to be cleaned in naval waters; and
(b) the cleaning is not in accordance with a permission under this section.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).
(5) In this section, clean includes bream and careen.
23 Speed of vessels in naval waters
(1) If the superintendent of any naval waters is satisfied that it is in the interests of:
(a) public safety; or
(b) the safety of property; or
(c) the defence of the Commonwealth;
the superintendent may, by notice, give directions concerning the speed of vessels in those naval waters or any specified part of those naval waters.
(2) A direction under subsection (1) may be:
(a) absolute; or
(b) subject to any approval given by the superintendent by notice; or
(c) subject to any conditions imposed by the superintendent by notice.
(3) The superintendent of the naval waters must cause a notice under subsection (1) or paragraph (2)(b) or (c) to be given to such person or persons, in such manner, at such time and in such place as is reasonably required for the protection of the public, or any person who may be affected by the use by the Commonwealth of the naval waters, as the case may be, having regard to:
(a) the purpose for which those waters are used by the Commonwealth; and
(b) the time when those waters are so used; and
(c) the risk of injury to persons; and
(d) the risk of damage to, or interference with, Commonwealth or other property; and
(e) the forms of communication and the time available for giving the notice.
(4) A person commits an offence if:
(a) a notice is given under this section; and
(b) the person engages in conduct; and
(c) the conduct is not in accordance with the notice; and
(d) the person is reckless as to the circumstance in paragraph (c).
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
(5) Strict liability applies to paragraph (4)(a).
24 Guns not to be discharged
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) the conduct results in a gun, firearm or air‑gun being discharged over naval waters from a boat or vessel or from the shore; and
(c) the person is reckless as to the result in paragraph (b).
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if:
(a) the person is member of the Defence Force, the Australian Federal Police or a Police Force or Service of a State or Territory performing duties in naval waters; and
(b) the conduct is engaged in by the person in the course of his or her duties as such a member.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).
25 Vessels with dangerous cargoes not to enter naval waters without permission
(1) The superintendent of any naval waters may give written permission for a vessel carrying explosives or other dangerous goods to enter those naval waters.
(2) A permission under subsection (1) may be subject to conditions, including conditions as to time, berthing and discharge of cargo.
(3) A permission may be cancelled, or its conditions varied, at any time.
(4) The master of a vessel commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the vessel is carrying explosives or other dangerous goods; and
(b) the master causes or permits the vessel to enter or stay in naval waters; and
(c) the entry or stay is not in accordance with a permission under this section.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
(5) Subsection (4) does not apply if the master has a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).
(6) The master of a vessel in naval waters commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the vessel is carrying explosives or other dangerous goods; and
(b) the master causes or permits anything to be done in relation to the vessel or cargo that is not in accordance with a permission under this section.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
(7) Subsection (6) does not apply if the master has a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).
26 Vessels carrying dangerous cargoes to display signals
(1) The master of a vessel in naval waters commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) either:
(i) the vessel is carrying explosives or other dangerous goods; or
(ii) explosives or other dangerous goods are loaded onto, or unloaded from, the vessel; and
(b) the master does not cause the vessel to display prominently:
(i) between sunrise and sunset—a large red flag or burgee; and
(ii) between sunset and sunrise—a red light, visible in clear weather for at least 3 kilometres.
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the master has a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see section 13.3 of the Criminal Code).
27 Construction in, or on the foreshore of, naval waters
(1) The Minister may, by notice in writing, prohibit the construction of any jetty, wharf, building, or structure, in, or on the foreshore of, any naval waters.
Note: See section 5 of the Act.
(2) If:
(a) the Minister gives a notice under subsection (1); and
(b) a person constructs in, or on the foreshore of, any naval waters a structure prohibited by the notice;
the person must remove the structure.
(3) If a person fails to remove a structure as required by subsection (2):
(a) the superintendent of the relevant naval waters may cause the structure to be removed; and
(b) the person who constructed the structure, or caused it to be constructed, must pay to the superintendent the cost of the removal.
28 Search and inspection of vessels in naval waters
The master of a vessel in naval waters must do all that is possible to facilitate the search or inspection of the vessel by the superintendent of those waters or by a person or persons acting on behalf of the superintendent.
29 Delegation
The superintendent of any naval waters may, by instrument in writing, delegate to an officer of the Defence Force holding a rank not below that of Lieutenant‑Commander, Major or Squadron‑Leader all or any of his or her powers and functions under this instrument in relation to those waters.
Schedule 1—Repeals
Control of Naval Waters Regulations 1922
1 The whole of the Regulations
Repeal the Regulations.
