AMSA MO 2013/4
Marine Order 11 (Living and working conditions on vessels) 2013
I, Graham Peachey, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, make this Order under subsection 342(1) of the Navigation Act 2012.
16 May 2013
Graham Peachey
Chief Executive Officer
Division 1 General.................................................................................................. 4
1 Name of Order............................................................................................... 4
2 Commencement............................................................................................. 4
3 Purpose......................................................................................................... 4
4 Power............................................................................................................ 4
5 Definitions..................................................................................................... 5
6 Date of construction of a vessel..................................................................... 6
7 Application.................................................................................................... 6
8 Exemptions and equivalents........................................................................... 7
9 Review of decisions....................................................................................... 7
Division 2 Maritime labour certificates............................................................. 7
10 Requirement to carry a maritime labour certificate............................................ 7
11 Application for maritime labour certificate........................................................ 8
12 Issuing criteria................................................................................................ 8
13 Duration of certificates................................................................................... 8
14 Criteria for revocation of certificate................................................................. 8
15 Intermediate inspection................................................................................... 8
16 Records......................................................................................................... 9
17 Renewal of maritime labour certificate............................................................. 9
Division 3 Interim maritime labour certificates............................................. 10
18 Application for an interim maritime labour certificate....................................... 10
19 Issue of an interim maritime labour certificate................................................. 10
20 Issue of an interim maritime labour certificate................................................. 10
Division 6 Engagement and working conditions of seafarers................ 10
42 Seafarers under 18 years.............................................................................. 10
43 Seafarer’s hours of rest................................................................................ 11
44 Record keeping — shipboard working arrangements...................................... 11
45 Record keeping — hours of work and rest..................................................... 11
46 Record keeping — official log book.............................................................. 11
47 Seafarers’ work agreements.......................................................................... 12
48 Articles of agreement.................................................................................... 12
49 Opportunity to seek advice........................................................................... 12
50 Availability of information............................................................................. 13
51 Notice period for termination......................................................................... 13
52 Record of service......................................................................................... 13
53 Wages......................................................................................................... 13
Division 7 Provisions.......................................................................................... 14
54 Organisation and equipment of catering department....................................... 14
55 Training of persons processing food............................................................. 14
56 Galleys........................................................................................................ 15
57 Storage of food........................................................................................... 15
Division 8 Health.................................................................................................. 16
58 Medical care for seafarers working on board.................................................. 16
59 Right to visit a medical practitioner or dentist................................................. 16
60 Medical services at no charge...................................................................... 16
61 Reporting of medical information.................................................................. 17
62 Treatment of patients.................................................................................... 17
63 Medical supplies.......................................................................................... 17
64 Medically qualified person on board.............................................................. 18
65 Access to onshore medical facilities.............................................................. 18
66 Control of certain drugs................................................................................ 19
Division 9 Accommodation — use and vessel plans................................. 19
67 Vessel plans................................................................................................ 19
68 Modification of accommodation spaces........................................................ 20
Division 10 Accommodation — design and construction.......................... 20
69 Small vessels............................................................................................... 20
70 Headroom.................................................................................................... 20
71 Location of sleeping rooms — non-passenger vessels................................... 20
72 Location of sleeping rooms — passenger vessels......................................... 21
73 Sleeping rooms............................................................................................ 21
74 Sleeping berths............................................................................................ 21
75 Insulation..................................................................................................... 21
76 Pipes........................................................................................................... 22
77 Vessel batteries............................................................................................ 22
78 Bulkhead and deckhead surfaces.................................................................. 22
79 Decks and flooring....................................................................................... 23
80 Lighting and drainage................................................................................... 23
81 Air conditioning............................................................................................ 23
82 Heating........................................................................................................ 24
83 Lighting........................................................................................................ 24
84 Floor space for sleeping rooms — non-officers............................................. 24
85 Floor space for officer rooms....................................................................... 25
86 Mess rooms................................................................................................. 26
Division 11 Accommodation and working spaces....................................... 26
87 Noise and other ambient factors.................................................................... 26
Division 12 Welfare of seafarers........................................................................ 27
88 Recreational facilities, amenities and services................................................ 27
89 Mail............................................................................................................. 27
90 Visitors........................................................................................................ 27
91 Common vessel’s office............................................................................... 27
Division 13 Accommodation — sanitary and laundry facilities................. 27
92 Sanitary facilities.......................................................................................... 27
93 Laundry facilities.......................................................................................... 28
Division 14 Accommodation — hospital facilities......................................... 28
94 Hospital accommodation.............................................................................. 28
Division 15 Repatriation....................................................................................... 28
95 Repatriation.................................................................................................. 28
96 Financial security.......................................................................................... 29
97 Paying for repatriation.................................................................................. 29
98 Incapacity.................................................................................................... 30
99 Limitation of liability...................................................................................... 30
100 Timeframe for claim...................................................................................... 30
101 Repatriation transport................................................................................... 30
102 Property....................................................................................................... 30
103 Repatriation by AMSA.................................................................................. 31
104 Documentation available for seafarer............................................................. 31
Schedule 1 Working conditions for seafarers under 18 years........ 32
Schedule 2 Official log book — matters that must be entered........ 32
Schedule 3 Seafarer’s work agreement information.......................... 33
Schedule 4 Galleys..................................................................................... 34
Schedule 5 Dry provision stores............................................................. 34
Schedule 6 Sleeping rooms..................................................................... 34
Schedule 7 Sleeping berths..................................................................... 36
Schedule 8 Heating..................................................................................... 36
Schedule 9 Mess room.............................................................................. 37
Schedule 10 Recreational facilities........................................................... 38
Schedule 11 Minimum standards for sanitary facilities....................... 38
Schedule 12 Hospital accommodation.................................................... 40
Schedule 13 Amendment............................................................................ 41
Division 1 General
1 Name of Order
This Order is Marine Order 11 (Living and working conditions on vessels) 2013.
2 Commencement
(1) This Order, other than Schedule 13, commences on 1 July 2013.
(2) Schedule 13 commences on 21 August 2013.
3 Purpose
This Order provides for the following matters for seafarers on board vessels:
(a) working conditions;
(b) provisions;
(c) medical care and supplies;
(d) accommodation;
(e) sanitary facilities;
(f) hospitals;
(g) repatriation.
Note This Order replaces Marine Orders Part 10 (Medical first aid on ships), Marine Orders Part 14 (Accommodation) and Marine Orders Part 53 (Employment of Crews) in force on 30 June 2013.
4 Power
(1) Subsection 54(5) of the Navigation Act provides for regulations to be made prescribing matters relating to work agreements for regulated Australian vessels.
(2) Subsection 61(1) of the Navigation Act provides for regulations to be made for the provision of food and drinking water on board vessels.
(3) Subsection 65(1) of the Navigation Act provides for regulations to be made for the health of seafarers.
(4) Subsection 74(1) of the Navigation Act provides for regulations to be made for accommodation to be provided for seafarers on vessels.
Note It is an offence for the owner of a vessel to take the vessel to sea, or cause or permit the vessel to be taken to sea, if the vessel does not comply with the accommodation prescribed by regulations made for section 74(1) of the Navigation Act — see Navigation Act, s 75.
(5) Section 112 of the Navigation Act provides for regulations to be made for the carriage of passengers and for cargo operations.
(6) Subsection 339(1) of the Navigation Act provides for regulations to be made prescribing matters required or permitted to be prescribed, or necessary or convenient, for carrying out or giving effect to the Navigation Act.
(7) Paragraph 339(3)(c) of the Navigation Act provides for regulations to provide that agreements in force immediately before the repeal of the Navigation Act 1912 comply with regulations made for subsection 54(5) of the Navigation Act.
(8) Subsection 342(1) of the Navigation Act provides for the making of Marine Orders for any matter for which provision must or may be made by the regulations.
5 Definitions
(1) In this Order:
approved, other than for a form, means approved by an issuing body.
collective agreement has the same meaning as in section 11A of the Shipping Registration Act 1981.
Great Barrier Reef Region has the same meaning as in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.
hours of rest means time that is not:
(a) hours of work; or
(b) a break from work for up to 1 hour; or
(c) time while engaged in emergency drills or emergency operations.
hours of work include time in which a seafarer is required to undertake work for the vessel.
Maritime Labour Convention means the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, done at Geneva on 23 February 2006.
Note The Maritime Labour Convention comes into force on 20 August 2013.
medical practitioner has the same meaning as in the Health Insurance Act 1973.
prescribed person, for a vessel, means an inspector at the port where the vessel is located when a request for an inspection of seafarer accommodation is made.
repatriation means the conveyance of a seafarer to his or her home port, other than in the discharge of duties in accordance with the seafarer’s work agreement.
seafarer recruitment and placement service means a person carrying on the business of recruiting seafarers for owners or placing seafarers with owners.
specified drug means diazepam, morphine, nitrazepam or pentazocine.
SPS Code has the same meaning as in Marine Order 50 (Special Purpose Ships) 2012.
substantial alteration, for a vessel, means a repair, alteration or modification that substantially:
(a) alters the dimensions of the vessel; or
(b) alters the dimensions of the accommodation spaces; or
(c) increases the vessel’s service life.
war zone means a zone agreed, by the owner of the vessel and the seafarer, to be a war zone.
Note 1 Some terms used in this Order are defined or explained in Marine Order 1 (Administration) 2011, including:
· General Manager, Ship Safety Division
· IMO
· Manager, Ship Inspection and Registration
· MARPOL
· Navigation Act
· NSCV
· passenger vessel
· Pollution Prevention Act
· SOLAS.
Note 2 Some terms used in this Order are defined in the Navigation Act, including:
· AMSA
· approved form
· foreign vessel
· inspector
· International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
· issuing body
· recognised organisation
· regulated Australian vessel
· seafarer
· special purpose vessel
· special personnel
· STCW Convention
· vessel
· work agreement.
(2) For the definition of competent authority in paragraph 1(a) of Article II of the Maritime Labour Convention, the competent authority is AMSA.
6 Date of construction of a vessel
In this Order, a vessel is taken to have been constructed when:
(a) its keel has been laid; or
(b) construction identifiable with the vessel has begun and the vessel has been assembled to the lesser of:
(i) at least 50 tonnes; or
(ii) 1% of the estimated mass of all structural material of the vessel.
7 Application
(1) This Order applies to regulated Australian vessels.
(2) However, for a vessel mentioned in subsection (3), only the following provisions of this Order apply:
(i) Divisions 1 and 7;
(ii) sections 43 to 46, 58 to 60, 63 and 65;
(iii) sections 74 to 76 and 79 to 83;
(iv) Divisions 11 and 13.
(3) For subsection (2), the vessel must be a regulated Australian vessel:
(a) that:
(i) is certified to operate exclusively in areas where port limits apply or in the Great Barrier Marine Park region; or
(ii) is in a service category other than class 1A, 2A, 1B or 2B as defined in section 3.5.1 of Part B of the NSCV; and
(b) on which the employment of the seafarers is subject to the Fair Work Act 2009.
(4) Section 103 also applies to a foreign vessel that is:
(i) in an Australian port; or
(ii) entering or leaving an Australian port; or
(iii) in the internal waters of Australia; or
(iv) in the territorial sea of Australia other than in the course of innocent passage.
(5) A vessel that was constructed before 21 August 2013 and complies with Marine Order 14, issue 1 (Accommodation) as in force on 30 June 2013 is taken to comply with Divisions 10, 11, 12 (other than sections 89 and 90), 13 and 14 and subsection 56(2).
Note The text of Marine Order 14, issue 1 (Accommodation) is available through the AMSA website at http://www.amsa.gov.au.
8 Exemptions and equivalents
(1) A person may apply, in accordance with the application process set out in Marine Order 1 (Administration) 2011, for acceptance of an equivalent measure or for an exemption from a provision that provides for an application for an exemption.
(2) The decision maker for the application is the Manager, Ship Inspection and Registration.
(3) The decision maker must consult the owner of any vessel to which the application applies and any seafarers’ representative organisation that represents a seafarer on the vessel when considering whether to approve an application for exemption.
9 Review of decisions
A decision under this Order, other than a decision under section 8 or subsection 55(4), 70(3), 72(4) or 73(4), 84(4), 85(5) or 91(3) is taken to be a reviewable decision for section 18 of Marine Order 1 (Administration) 2011.
Note A decision under section 8 is a reviewable decision because it is mentioned in section 16 of Marine Order 1 (Administration) 2011.
Division 2 Maritime labour certificates
10 Requirement to carry a maritime labour certificate
(1) This section applies to a vessel after 20 August 2013.
(2) For paragraphs 47(1)(a) and 48(1)(a) of the Navigation Act, a regulated Australian vessel must have a maritime labour certificate or an interim maritime labour certificate if the vessel is at least 500 gross tonnage and ordinarily engaged in overseas voyages.
(3) If the vessel has a maritime labour certificate, the certificate must have a current declaration of maritime labour compliance attached to it.
(4) A copy of the certificate and declaration must be:
(a) written in English; and
(b) displayed so that it is easily seen by seafarers; and
(c) made available on request to the following persons:
(i) a seafarer;
(ii) an inspector;
(iii) an authorised officer in a port state;
(iv) the vessel owner’s representative;
(v) the seafarer’s representative.
(5) For a vessel of at least 200 GT and not more than 500 GT proceeding on an overseas voyage, the owner must ensure that the vessel meets the requirements mentioned in the form of declaration of maritime labour compliance in Part I of Appendix A5-II to the Maritime Labour Convention as if that declaration were required for the vessel.
11 Application for maritime labour certificate
A person may apply to AMSA for a maritime labour certificate in accordance with the process set out in Marine Order 1 (Administration) 2011.
12 Issuing criteria
The issuing body may issue the certificate in the approved form if the issuing body:
(a) has inspected the vessel for the matters mentioned in Appendix A5-I of the Maritime Labour Convention and this Order; and
(b) is satisfied that the vessel complies with this Order and the Maritime Labour Convention.
Note A maritime labour certificate may be issued under section 44 of the Navigation Act.
13 Duration of certificates
(1) A maritime labour certificate has effect for a period, of not more than 5 years, determined by the issuing body, after it is issued or renewed.
(2) An interim maritime labour certificate expires 6 months, or a shorter period determined by the issuing body, after it is issued.
14 Criteria for revocation of certificate
The criteria for revocation of a maritime labour certificate are that:
(a) the vessel is not inspected as required; or
(b) the certificate is not endorsed as required; or
(c) the vessel changes flag; or
(d) a vessel owner ceases to assume responsibility for the operation of a vessel; or
(e) a substantial alteration is made to the vessel’s structure or equipment to which Title 3 of the Maritime Labour Convention applies; or
(f) the issuing body or AMSA decides that the vessel does not comply with this Order; or
(g) any corrective action the vessel owner is required to take is not taken.
15 Intermediate inspection
(1) The owner of a vessel to which subsection 10(2) applies must ensure that it is inspected between the second and third anniversary dates of the certificate.
(2) The inspection must:
(a) be carried out by an issuing body; and
(b) cover each matter mentioned in Appendix A5-1 of the Maritime Labour Convention.
(3) If the vessel no longer complies with the Maritime Labour Convention, the issuing body may revoke the certificate.
(4) In this section:
anniversary date means the date in each year that is the same as the date in the year that the certificate expires.
16 Records
(1) The owner of the vessel must ensure that the following are recorded in English:
(a) a report of inspection by an issuing body;
(b) any deficiencies identified by an issuing body;
(c) the date the deficiency is reinspected by an issuing body for compliance.
(2) The owner of the vessel must ensure that the records mentioned in subsection (1) are:
(a) attached to the maritime labour certificate; and
(b) available to the following persons:
(i) a seafarer;
(ii) an inspector;
(iii) an authorised person of the port state;
(iv) a representative of the owner;
(v) a representative of a seafarer.
17 Renewal of maritime labour certificate
(1) A person may apply, before a maritime labour certificate expires, for the renewal of the certificate in accordance with the process set out in Marine Order 1 (Administration) 2011.
(2) If an application is made under subsection (1), the vessel must be inspected for the matters mentioned in Appendix A5-I of the Maritime Labour Convention and this Order.
(3) If an issuing body is satisfied that the vessel complies with the Maritime Labour Convention and this Order, it may issue a new certificate:
(a) if the application is made within 3 months before the expiry of the existing certificate — from the date it was due to expire; or
(b) if the application is made more than 3 months before the expiry of the existing certificate — from the date the inspection requirements for renewal were met.
Division 3 Interim maritime labour certificates
18 Application for an interim maritime labour certificate
(1) A person may apply to an issuing body for an interim maritime labour certificate in accordance with the process set out in Marine Order 1 (Administration) 2011.
(2) The issuing body must carry out an inspection of the vessel for the matters mentioned in Appendix A5-I of the Maritime Labour Convention before issuing the certificate.
19 Issue of an interim maritime labour certificate
(1) An interim maritime labour certificate may be issued:
(a) to a new vessel on delivery; or
(b) to a vessel, when it changes its flag; or
(c) if a vessel owner assumes responsibility for the operation of the vessel for the first time.
(2) For paragraphs 47(1)(a) and 48(1)(a) of the Navigation Act, an interim maritime labour certificate is a maritime labour certificate.
20 Issue of an interim maritime labour certificate
An interim maritime labour certificate may be issued for up to 6 months after the issuing body is satisfied that:
(a) the vessel has been inspected for compliance with Appendix A5-I of the Maritime Labour Convention; and
(b) the vessel owner has demonstrated that the vessel has adequate procedures to comply with this Order; and
(c) the master is familiar with the requirements of this Order; and
(d) an application has been made for a declaration of maritime labour compliance.
Note Divisions 4 and 5 (sections 21 to 41) will be inserted on 21 August 2013 — see Schedule 13.
Division 6 Engagement and working conditions of seafarers
42 Seafarers under 18 years
(1) A person must not employ or engage to work on a vessel a person under 16 years.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
(2) An offence against subsection (1) is a strict liability offence.
(3) A person is liable to a civil penalty if the person contravenes subsection (1).
Civil penalty: 50 penalty units.
(4) A person must not employ or engage to work on a vessel a person under 18 years if:
(a) the person’s health or safety is likely to be jeopardised; or
(b) the person is required to work between 9pm and 6am if the work is not reasonably required for the training of the person as a seafarer in accordance with an approved program.
(5) Subject to any instrument under the Fair Work Act 2009 or any collective agreement that applies on the vessel, the owner of a vessel must ensure that the working conditions mentioned in Schedule 1 for a person under 18 years are met.
43 Seafarer’s hours of rest
A seafarer must have at least the minimum hours of rest for a seafarer to whom Division 3 of Marine Order 28 (Operations standards and procedures) 2012 applies.
44 Record keeping — shipboard working arrangements
(1) The owner of a vessel must ensure that a notice of shipboard working arrangements is posted in a place on board the vessel that is easily accessible to seafarers.
(2) The notice must:
(a) include the schedule of service at sea and service in port; and
(b) include the minimum hours of rest mentioned in Marine Order 28 (Operations standards and procedures) 2012; and
(c) be in the working language of the vessel and in English.
Note A sample form of notice is available on the AMSA website at http:// www.amsa.gov.au.
45 Record keeping — hours of work and rest
(1) The owner of a vessel must maintain records of seafarers’ daily hours of rest.
(2) The master must:
(a) give the seafarer a copy of the record relating to him or her; and
(b) ensure that the record is endorsed by the master or a person authorised by the master and the seafarer.
46 Record keeping — official log book
(1) The master of a vessel must ensure that the matters mentioned in Schedule 2, for events that occur while the person is the master of the vessel, are recorded in the official log book.
(2) An entry in the official log book must be signed at the time of entry by:
(a) the master; and
(b) an officer or another seafarer.
(3) An entry in the official log book for a death, injury or illness must be signed at the time of entry by each of the following:
(a) the master;
(b) an officer;
(c) another seafarer;
(d) a qualified medical practitioner, if the practitioner is a seafarer.
(4) When an entry in the official log book for a birth is made, the entry must be signed as soon as practicable by:
(a) the mother or father of the child; and
(b) another person, if any, present at the birth of the child.
47 Seafarers’ work agreements
(1) For subsections 54(1) and (2) of the Navigation Act, a seafarer’s work agreement must:
(a) contain the information mentioned in Schedule 3; and
(b) be written in English; and
(c) have effect for at least 9 months or for a whole voyage lasting up to 9 months.
Note For articles of agreement made under the Navigation Act 1912 — see section 48.
(2) However, the owner of the vessel may increase or decrease by 1 month the period of effect of a work agreement that has effect for at least 9 months.
Note This is consistent with the International Transport Federation uniform TCC collective agreement of 1 January 2012–14 — see http://www.itfglobal.org.
(3) The work agreement must be signed by:
(a) the seafarer; and
(b) the owner of the vessel or a representative of the owner.
(4) The owner of a vessel and the seafarer must each have a signed original of the seafarer’s work agreement.
48 Articles of agreement
An articles of agreement made under the Navigation Act 1912:
(a) continues in force until the earlier of:
(i) the agreement expires; or
(ii) 19 February 2014; and
(b) for section 54 of the Navigation Act — is taken to satisfy the requirements of this Order relating to work agreements if it:
(i) was in force on 20 August 2013; and
(ii) complied with Division 8 of Part II of the Navigation Act.
49 Opportunity to seek advice
The owner of a vessel must ensure that:
(a) a seafarer is given:
(i) an opportunity to examine and seek advice on the seafarer’s work agreement before he or she signs it; and
(ii) access to any other facilities to ensure that he or she has entered into the agreement with a sufficient understanding of his or her rights and responsibilities and
(b) no adverse action is taken against the seafarer for obtaining information or advice about the contents of the work agreement.
50 Availability of information
(1) The owner of a vessel must ensure that each of the following persons has access to a copy of any work agreement, including incorporated documents, kept on board:
(a) the seafarer to whom it applies;
(b) a representative of the seafarer;
(c) the master of the vessel;
(d) AMSA;
(e) a port state control officer of a country being visited by the vessel.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
(2) An offence against subsection (1) is a strict liability offence.
(3) A person is liable to a civil penalty if the person contravenes subsection (1).
Civil penalty: 50 penalty units.
51 Notice period for termination
Subject to any instrument under the Fair Work Act 2009 or any collective agreement applying to a vessel, to terminate a work agreement:
(a) the employer or the seafarer must give at least 7 days notice of the termination; and
(b) the seafarer may give less than 7 days notice of the termination for:
(i) compassionate reasons; or
(ii) other urgent circumstances recognised in the work agreement.
52 Record of service
(1) The owner of a vessel must ensure that each seafarer is given a seafarer’s discharge book, in the approved form, that includes a record of the seafarer’s employment on board the vessel.
Note Approved forms are available on the AMSA website: http:// www.amsa.gov.au.
(2) The seafarer’s discharge book must not contain any statement of:
(a) the quality of the seafarer’s work; or
(b) the seafarer’s wages.
53 Wages
(1) The owner of a vessel must pay the seafarer:
(a) at an interval of no more than 1 month; and
(b) in accordance with the work agreement and if applicable, the relevant instrument under the Fair Work Act 2009 or collective agreement.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
(2) The owner must give the seafarer an account, at least monthly, of:
(a) the payments due; and
(b) the period to which each payment relates; and
(c) the amounts paid, including wages and additional payments; and
(d) details of all deductions from the gross amount of wages and additional payments.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
(3) The owner of a vessel must:
(a) establish a system for enabling a seafarer to send a proportion of the seafarer’s earnings to the seafarer’s family by bank transfer or similar means; and
(b) ensure the payments are made directly to the person named by the seafarer and on time.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
(4) An offence against subsection (1), (2) or (3) is a strict liability offence.
(5) A person is liable to a civil penalty if the person contravenes subsection (1).
Civil penalty: 50 penalty units.
(6) The owner may charge a reasonable amount for providing the service mentioned in subsection (3).
Division 7 Provisions
54 Organisation and equipment of catering department
The owner of a vessel must ensure that the organisation and equipment of the catering department on board a vessel allows for:
(a) the preparation of varied and nutritious meals; and
(b) the serving of meals in hygienic conditions.
55 Training of persons processing food
(1) The owner of a vessel must ensure that a person who works on the vessel as a cook:
(a) is over 18 years; and
(b) has completed:
(i) a training course in hospitality that AMSA considers provides appropriate training for the performance of the duties or functions of marine cook; or
(ii) at least 6 months documented qualifying seagoing service as a marine cook before 1 July 2014; and
(c) holds a certificate of safety training issued in accordance with Marine Order 3 (Seagoing qualifications) 2004; and
(d) holds a Certificate of Medical Fitness issued in accordance with Marine Order 9 (Health — medical fitness) 2010.
(2) The owner of a vessel operating with a prescribed manning level of less than 10, that due to the number of seafarers or the trading pattern does not have to carry a fully qualified cook, must ensure that a person processing food in the galley is trained or instructed in:
(a) food hygiene; and
(b) personal hygiene; and
(c) food handling on a vessel; and
(d) the storage of food on a vessel.
(3) The owner of a vessel may apply for an exemption from the requirement in subsection (1).
(4) The Manager, Ship Inspection and Registration may issue an exemption:
(a) for a period up to 1 month; or
(b) until the vessel arrives at the next convenient port of call.
56 Galleys
(1) The owner of vessel must ensure that the vessel has a galley for the preparation of food for the seafarers.
(2) The owner of a vessel must ensure that the galley is constructed in accordance with Schedule 4.
(3) The owner of a vessel must ensure that the galley has the following equipment:
(a) equipment for the preparation of food in a quantity sufficient for the seafarers on board, including the following:
(i) a refrigerator;
(ii) at least 1 cooking range;
(iv) at least 1 oven;
(v) cooking utensils;
(vi) hot and cold potable running water that complies with Guidelines for drinking-water quality, published by the World Health Organization, 2011, 4th edition;
(b) equipment for the cleaning of cooking utensils.
(4) The owner must ensure that the equipment is constructed of material that can easily be kept clean.
(5) The master must ensure that the galley and its equipment are kept in a clean and orderly manner at all times.
57 Storage of food
(1) In this section:
potentially hazardous food means a food that has to be kept at a certain temperature:
(a) to minimise the risk of the growth of pathogenic micro-organisms present in the food; or
(b) to prevent the formation of toxins in the food.
(2) The owner of a vessel must ensure that the seafarers have dry provision stores that meet the requirements mentioned in Schedule 5.
(3) The owner of a vessel must provide cold storage and refrigerators that are adequate for the storage of provisions.
(4) The master must ensure that:
(a) meat and fish are stored apart from each other; and
(b) all refrigerated or frozen food is kept at temperature below:
(i) for very cold food — -15oC; or
(ii) for cold food — 5oC.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
(5) An offence against subsection (4) is a strict liability offence.
(6) A person is liable to a civil penalty if the person contravenes subsection (4).
Civil penalty: 50 penalty units.
(7) The master must ensure that food is stored so that:
(a) it is protected from the likelihood of contamination; and
(b) the environmental conditions under which it is stored will not adversely affect the quality and suitability of the food; and
(c) potentially hazardous food is kept at its required temperature at all times.
(8) The master of a vessel must ensure that weekly inspections are carried out and documented for:
(a) the provision of food and drinking water; and
(b) the spaces and equipment used for the storage and handling of food and drinking water; and
(c) the galley and other equipment used for the preparation and service of meals.
Note The Australia New Zealand Food Standards give further guidance on the storage of food.
Division 8 Health
Note It is an offence for an owner or master of a vessel to take the vessel to sea without the required medical supplies and instructions for their use — see Navigation Act, ss 66 and 67.
58 Medical care for seafarers working on board
The owner of a vessel must put in place measures for the health protection, medical care and dental care for seafarers working on board that:
(a) give effect to:
(i) any requirements for occupational health protection and medical care relevant to their duties; and
(ii) any requirements for work on board imposed by the country in which the vessel is registered; and
(b) ensure seafarers have health protection and medical care as comparable as possible to that available to workers on shore, including prompt access to:
(i) necessary medicines, medical equipment and facilities for diagnosis and treatment; and
(ii) medical information and expertise.
59 Right to visit a medical practitioner or dentist
The owner of a vessel must ensure that a seafarer can visit a medical practitioner or dentist without delay in a port of call.
60 Medical services at no charge
(1) The owner of a vessel must ensure that medical care and health protection services are provided at no charge to seafarers:
(a) on board the vessel; and
(b) in any port that the vessel visits.
(2) The medical care and health protection services:
(a) are not limited to the treatment of sick or injured seafarers; and
(b) include measures of a preventative character (eg health promotion and health education programs); and
(c) include measures to stop the spread of infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted disorders; and
(d) include measures to stop the spread of insect borne diseases.
61 Reporting of medical information
(1) When exchanging medical information for individual seafarers between a vessel and shore because of illness or injury, the approved form must be used by:
(a) the master of the vessel; and
(b) relevant on board medical personnel; and
(c) relevant onshore medical personnel.
(2) The owner of a vessel must ensure that any completed forms are:
(a) kept confidential; and
(b) only used to facilitate the treatment of seafarers.
Note Approved forms are available on the AMSA website: http:// www.amsa.gov.au.
62 Treatment of patients
The owner of a vessel must ensure that the following are on board:
(a) adequate medical supplies to treat a diseased or injured person;
(b) a competent and qualified person to treat a diseased or injured person, until a medical practitioner treats the person.
63 Medical supplies
(1) For subsections 66(1) and 67(1) of the Navigation Act, the vessel must be provided with:
(a) a medicine chest with at least the medicines, medical and surgical stores and appliances and antiscorbutics, and kept in the manner, mentioned in the most recent edition of Medical carriage requirements on regulated Australian vessels, published by AMSA;
(b) the most recent edition of International Medical Guide for Ships, published by the World Health Organization.
(2) For a cargo that is classified as dangerous and is not included in the most recent edition of International Medical Guide for Ships, published by the World Health Organization, information about all of the following must be available to seafarers:
(a) the nature of substances in the cargo;
(b) the risks mentioned for the cargo as prescribed in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, published by the International Maritime Organization, as in force from time to time;
(c) personal protective devices necessary to avoid the risks;
(d) medical procedures to deal with the risks;
(e) antidotes for the substances.
(3) The owner of a vessel must ensure that the antidotes and personal protective devices mentioned in subsection (2) are available on board when dangerous goods are carried.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
(4) The owner of a vessel must ensure that the medicine chest and medical equipment are properly maintained.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
(5) The master of the vessel must inspect the medicine chest and medical equipment at least once every 12 months and check each of the following:
(a) that the labelling of medicine is correct and easily read;
(b) that the expiry date of the medicine is correct and easily read;
(c) that the expiry date of the medicine has not been reached;
(d) the medicine is stored correctly;
(e) the directions for the use of medicine are easily read;
(f) that the medical equipment is in good condition and functioning correctly.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
(6) The owner of a vessel must ensure that expired medical supplies are replaced by the earlier of:
(a) arrival at the next port of call at which medical supplies may be replaced; or
(b) within 3 months after their expiry dates.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
(7) An offences against subsection (3), (4), (5) or (6) is a strict liability offence.
(8) A person is liable to a civil penalty if the person contravenes subsection (1).
Civil penalty: 50 penalty units.
64 Medically qualified person on board
(1) For paragraphs 72(1)(b) and (2)(b) and 73(1)(b) and (2)(b) of the Navigation Act, the distance is 120 nautical miles.
(2) For subsections 72(2) and 73(2) of the Navigation Act, to be qualified the person must have the medical training mentioned in section 14 of Marine Order 3 (Seafarer Qualifications) 2004.
(3) A person mentioned in subsection (2) must undergo refresher training courses, at least once every 5 years, to enable the person to maintain and increase his or her knowledge and skills in medical care.
65 Access to onshore medical facilities
The owner of a vessel must ensure that seafarers in need of immediate medical care are transported to shore and given access to medical facilities onshore, including:
(a) outpatient treatment for sickness and injury; and
(b) hospitalisation when necessary; and
(c) facilities for dental treatment.
66 Control of certain drugs
(1) The owner of a vessel must ensure that kept onboard is a register of drugs in a form approved by AMSA.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
Note The use of certain drugs is regulated in Australia — for further information see http://www.tga.gov.au/industry/scheduling-poisons-standard.htm.
(2) The register must record the following details for each administration of a specified drug:
(a) the full name of the person to whom the specified drug is administered;
(b) the reason for administering the specified drug;
(c) the date and time the specified drug was administered;
(d) the name and quantity of the specified drug administered;
(e) the name and designation of the person who administered the specified drug.
Note For the meaning of specified drug — see section 5.
(3) The master of a vessel must ensure that any loss or theft of a specified drug is:
(a) recorded in the specified drug register; and
(b) reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies as soon as practical after the vessel arrives in port.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
(4) An offence against subsection (1) or (3) is a strict liability offence.
(5) A person is liable to a civil penalty if the person contravenes subsection (1).
Civil penalty: 50 penalty units.
Division 9 Accommodation — use and vessel plans
Note It is an offence for an owner of a vessel to take the vessel to sea, or cause or permit the vessel to be taken to sea, if the vessel does not comply with the accommodation prescribed in this Order – see Navigation Act, s75.
67 Vessel plans
Before construction of a vessel that is to be registered on the Australian Shipping Register commences, the following plans must be approved by an issuing body:
(a) a plan of the vessel on a scale of at least 1 in 200, showing the location and arrangement of the accommodation; and
(b) a plan of the accommodation on a scale of at least 1 in 50 showing:
(i) the use of each space; and
(ii) furniture arrangements and
(iii) lighting arrangements; and
(iv) heating arrangements; and
(v) sanitary arrangements.
Note A list of recognised organisations who may perform the role of issuing body is included in Marine Order 1 (Administration) 2011.
68 Modification of accommodation spaces
(1) Before the substantial alteration or reconstruction of seafarer accommodation on a vessel, the owner of the vessel must have approved, by an issuing body, a plan of the seafarer accommodation on a scale of at least 1 in 50 showing the matters mentioned in paragraph 67 (b).
(2) The owner of the vessel may apply to an issuing body to have plans for the substantial alteration or reconstruction of the vessel approved in accordance with the process set out in Marine Order 1 (Administration) 2011.
(3) The owner of the vessel must give the issuing body the plans as soon as practicable if the alteration or reconstruction is:
(a) to be carried out outside Australia; and
(b) temporary or required because of a marine incident.
(4) The plans and information must be of a scale, and have sufficient technical detail, to enable compliance with the plans to be assessed.
Division 10 Accommodation — design and construction
Note It is an offence for an owner of a vessel to take the vessel to sea, or cause or permit the vessel to be taken to sea, if the vessel does not comply with the accommodation prescribed in this Order – see Navigation Act, s75.
69 Small vessels
(1) This section applies to a regulated Australian vessel under 200 gross tonnage that is normally engaged in overseas voyages.
(2) This Division does not apply to the vessel if the vessel complies with Part C1 of the National Standard for Commercial Vessels.
70 Headroom
(1) The owner of a vessel must ensure that:
(a) there is at least 203 cm unobstructed headroom in all seafarer accommodation; or
(b) headroom complies with any exemption in force for the vessel under subsection (3).
(2) The owner of a vessel may apply for an exemption to have headroom of less than 203 cm in seafarer accommodation.
(3) The Manager, Ship Inspection and Registration may approve the application if he or she considers that the application:
(a) is reasonable; and
(b) will not cause discomfort to seafarers.
71 Location of sleeping rooms — non-passenger vessels
(1) This section does not apply to a passenger vessel.
(2) A sleeping room:
(a) must be above the load line amidships or aft; or
(b) if any other location is impracticable because of the size, type or intended service of the vessel — may be the fore part of the vessel but not forward of the collision bulkhead.
72 Location of sleeping rooms — passenger vessels
(1) This section applies to the following vessels:
(a) passenger vessels; and
(b) special purpose vessels complying with the SPS Code.
(2) The owner of a vessel must ensure that sleeping rooms are located:
(a) either:
(i) above the load line, or
(ii) in accordance with any exemption in force for the vessel under subsection (4); and
(b) not immediately beneath working alleyways; and
(c) behind the collision bulkhead.
(3) The owner of a vessel may apply for an exemption to have a sleeping room located below the load line of a vessel.
(4) The Manager, Ship Inspection and Registration may approve the application subject to conditions concerning the lighting and ventilation.
73 Sleeping rooms
(1) The owner of a vessel must ensure that sleeping rooms on the vessel:
(a) meet the requirements mentioned in Schedule 6; or
(b) comply with any exemption in force for the vessel under subsection (3).
(2) The owner of a vessel may apply for an exemption from the requirement for individual sleeping rooms on any of the following:
(a) a vessel of less than 3 000 GT;
(b) a special purpose vessel;
(c) a passenger vessel.
(3) The Manager, Ship Inspection and Registration may approve the application having regard to the health and wellbeing of seafarers.
74 Sleeping berths
(1) The owner of a vessel must ensure that sleeping berths on the vessel meet the requirements mentioned in Schedule 7.
(2) The owner of a vessel must provide each seafarer on board with clean, good quality bedding.
75 Insulation
(1) The owner of a vessel must ensure that each of the following areas of the vessel is insulated to prevent condensation or overheating:
(a) sleeping rooms;
(b) mess rooms;
(c) sanitary facilities;
(d) laundries;
(e) recreation rooms;
(f) alleyways in accommodation areas;
(g) the external bulkheads of sleeping rooms or mess rooms.
(2) The owner of a vessel must ensure that each of the following spaces are insulated to prevent the space from heat affecting adjoining accommodation or passageways:
(a) machinery casings;
(b) boundary bulkheads of galleys;
(c) boundary bulkheads of other spaces in which heat is produced.
(3) The owner of a vessel must also take measures to protect accommodation spaces from the heat effects of steam or hot-water service pipes.
76 Pipes
(1) The owner of a vessel must ensure that steam pipes and exhaust pipes to or from machinery do not pass through seafarer accommodation that is not an open deck alleyway.
(2) The owner of a vessel must ensure that steam pipes and hot water pipes passing through an open deck alleyway and forming part of the seafarer accommodation are:
(a) constructed of solid drawn steel; and
(b) of scantling sufficient to withstand the maximum pressure from the vessel’s boiler system; and
(c) connected by properly joined faced flanges; and
(d) insulated and encased; and
(e) fitted with adequate drainage.
(3) The owner of a vessel must ensure that:
(a) hot water pipes for radiators in seafarer accommodation are encased or insulated; and
(b) there are no hawse pipes in a seafarer accommodation area; and
(c) chain pipes and ventilators for cargo spaces passing through a seafarer accommodation area are watertight and gastight.
(4) The owner of a vessel must ensure that hot water pipes are insulated:
(a) for heat conservation; and
(b) to ensure the safety of the seafarers.
77 Vessel batteries
The owner of a vessel must ensure that:
(a) vessel batteries are not stored in seafarer accommodation spaces; and
(b) fumes from vessel batteries do not discharge into the seafarer accommodation.
78 Bulkhead and deckhead surfaces
The owner of a vessel must ensure that the surface of a bulkhead or deckhead is made of material that:
(a) can easily be kept clean; and
(b) is unlikely to harbour vermin; and
(c) in the sleeping areas:
(i) is light in colour; and
(ii) has a durable, non-toxic finish.
79 Decks and flooring
(1) The owner of a vessel must ensure that decks in the seafarer accommodation spaces on the vessel are:
(a) constructed of material in accordance with Marine Order 15 (Construction — fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction) 2009; and
(b) a non-slip surface; and
(c) impervious to damp; and
(d) easily kept clean; and
(e) covered with a material that:
(i) is impervious to water; and
(ii) is capable of reducing the level of noise in the seafarer accommodation; and
(iii) can easily be kept clean; and
(iv) provides a good foothold.
(2) The owner of a vessel must ensure that flooring made of composite materials in seafarer accommodation spaces on the vessel has flooring joints with sides profiled to avoid crevices.
80 Lighting and drainage
The owner of a vessel must ensure that there is the following on the vessel:
(a) lighting in accordance with Accident prevention on board ship and in port, published by the International Labour Office, as in force from time to time; and
(b) drainage that prevents liquids from pooling on the deck.
81 Air conditioning
(1) The owner of a vessel must ensure that each of the following areas are air-conditioned to create an environment mentioned in ISO standard 7547/2002 Ships and marine technology — Air-conditioning and ventilation of accommodation spaces — Design conditions and basis of calculations:
(a) accommodation for seafarers;
(b) a radio room;
(c) a centralised machinery control room.
(2) The owner of a vessel must ensure that air conditioning systems on a vessel are designed:
(a) to maintain the air at a satisfactory temperature and relative humidity compared to outside air conditions in accordance with ISO standard 7547/2002 Ships and marine technology — Air-conditioning and ventilation of accommodation spaces — Design conditions and basis of calculations; and
(b) to ensure a sufficiency of air changes in all air-conditioned spaces; and
(c) to take account of the particular characteristics of operations at sea and not produce excessive noise or vibration; and
(d) to facilitate easy cleaning and disinfection of the system, to prevent or control the spread of disease.
(3) The owner of a vessel must ensure that all sanitary spaces on the vessel have ventilation to the open air, independent of any other part of the seafarers’ accommodation.
(4) The owner of a vessel must ensure that power for the operation of the air conditioning and other aids to ventilation is available at all times that seafarers are living or working on board the vessel.
82 Heating
(1) The owner of a vessel must ensure that seafarer accommodation areas on the vessel have a heating system that meets the requirements mentioned in Schedule 8.
(2) This section does not apply to a vessel that operates in tropical waters only.
(3) The owner of a vessel must ensure that power for the operation of the heating system is available at all times that seafarers are living or working on board the vessel.
83 Lighting
(1) The owner of a vessel must take all reasonable steps to ensure that sleeping rooms and mess rooms on the vessel have natural light.
(2) The owner of a vessel must ensure that the accommodation spaces for seafarers on the vessel have:
(a) artificial light in accordance with Accident prevention on board ship and in port, published by the International Labour Office, as in force from time to time; and
(b) either
(i) at least 2 sources of electricity for lighting independent of each other; or
(ii) a properly constructed lamp or lighting apparatus for emergency use.
(3) The owner of a vessel must ensure that an electric reading lamp is installed at the head of each seafarer’s sleeping berth.
84 Floor space for sleeping rooms — non-officers
(1) The owner of a vessel must ensure that sleeping rooms:
(a) have floor space dimensions of at least those mentioned in table 1; or
(b) comply with any exemption in force for the vessel under subsection (4).
(2) For table 1, the floor space:
(a) includes space occupied by:
(i) berths; and
(ii) lockers; and
(iii) chest of drawers; and
(iv) seats; and
(b) does not include space occupied by small or irregularly shaped spaces:
(i) that do not add to the space available for free movement; and
(ii) cannot be used for installing furniture.
Table 1 Floor space for sleeping rooms — non-officers
Size and type of vessel
Type of sleeping room
Floor area
less than 3 000 GT
1 occupant
4.5 m²
greater than 3 000 GT and less than 10 000 GT
1 occupant
5.5 m²
greater than 10 000 GT
1 occupant
7 m²
less than 3 000 GT, that is not:
(a) a passenger vessel; or
(b) a special purpose vessel
up to 2 occupants
at least 7 m²
passenger vessel or special purpose vessel
2 person occupancy sleeping room
7.5m²
passenger vessel or special purpose vessel
3 person occupancy sleeping room
11.5 m²
passenger vessel or special purpose vessel
4 person occupancy sleeping room
14.5 m²
special purpose vessel
more than 4 occupants
3.6 m² per person
(3) The owner of a vessel may apply for an exemption to have the floor area for a single sleeping berth reduced on a vessel if it is for the purpose of providing single berth accommodation on any of the following:
(a) a vessel of less than 3 000 GT;
(b) a passenger vessel;
(c) a special purpose vessel.
(4) The Manager, Ship Inspection and Registration may approve the application having regard to the health and safety of seafarers.
85 Floor space for officer rooms
(1) The owner of a vessel must ensure that each officer on board has an individual sleeping room.
(2) The owner of a vessel must ensure that the master, chief engineer, chief mate and, if practicable, the first engineer has, in addition to a sleeping room:
(a) a sitting room adjoining the sleeping room; or
(b) a day room; or
(c) equivalent space.
(3) The owner of a vessel must ensure that, if no adjoining sitting room, day room or equivalent space is provided for vessels’ officers, the floor space dimensions are at least those mentioned in table 2.
Table 2 Floor space for officer rooms
Type of vessel
Type of room
Floor area
A passenger vessel or special purpose vessel
junior officers
7.5m² per person
A passenger vessel or special purpose vessel
senior officers
8.5m² per person
A vessel other than a passenger vessel or special purpose vessel
vessel >3000 GT and
