Key issues:
In December 2002, an International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code was adopted by an IMO Diplomatic Conference. The Code will apply to ships over 500 gt from July 2004, through amendment to the SOLAS Convention.
But the need to comply with the new ISPS Code will test both the shipping and port industries and flag states to the full.
The new requirements are comprehensive and complex, a principal provision being that companies must develop ship security plans approved by a security organisation recognised by the flag state. To develop and implement the plans, a Company Security Officer must be appointed, together with Ship Security Officers to be designated on board each ship.
In addition to undertaking security audits and complying with new documentary requirements, shipping companies will also need to comply with new equipment requirements, including the accelerated installation of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS). Companies found by their flag state to be in compliance with the Code must be issued with an International Ship Security Certificate, the absence of which could lead to the denial of entry into ports.
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A projected shortfall in the number of trained deck officers wishing to pursue a career in Marine Pilotage has lead to the formation of a working group to consider alternative training regimes to the traditional path followed by most certified marine pilots.
The working group was a product of the Pilot Training and Recruitment Workshop run by the Australian Marine Pilots Association (AMPA) in March 2003.
The working group participants include representatives from the marine pilots; maritime training institutions; pilot training experts and the port, shipping and towage industries.
A report from the working group is expected to be made at the next AMPA meeting to be held in October 2003.
More information about the Pilot Training and Recruitment Workshop can be found at the AMPA website: www.ampa.asn.au
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ASA has expressed views publicly regarding 'who will pay' for the extensive deepening exercise due to commence in Port Phillip Bay in 2004.
ASA believe that, in accordance with a 'user pays' system, those companies that will use the extra depth should be the ones that pay for it. Other ships that will not take advantage of the extra depth should not be asked to 'subsidise' the cost of the project.
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ASA believes that the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) provides an invaluable service in the provision of incident investigations and reports. The quality of investigations undertaken by ATSB is excellent and often results in improvements to operations and/or procedure being made.
ASA is concerned that ATSB does not have the necessary resources to investigate all incidents of concern to the maritime industry and that the resultant lack of clear understanding as to the cause of an incident might eventually lead to serious consequences.
ASA is in the process of preparing a submission to the Australian Government on this issue.
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