Contents
Part I—Introductory 1
1............ Short title [see Note 1]....................................................................... 1
2............ Application of Act............................................................................. 1
2A......... Act to bind the Crown........................................................................ 2
3............ Act does not apply to naval ships etc................................................ 2
4............ Application of provisions relating to steam‑ships............................. 2
5............ Application of the Criminal Code...................................................... 2
6............ Interpretation...................................................................................... 2
6A......... Answering questions........................................................................ 11
6B......... Desertion.......................................................................................... 11
6C......... Incompetency and misconduct of officers........................................ 12
6D......... Taking of ships to sea....................................................................... 12
6E.......... Proper return port............................................................................ 12
7............ Definition of coasting trade.............................................................. 13
7A......... Ships registered in Australia............................................................. 14
8............ Off‑shore industry fixed structures,
mobile units and vessels......... 14
8A......... Off‑shore industry vessels to which Act
applies............................. 16
8AA...... Declaration that Act applies in relation to trading
ships engaging in intra‑state trade 17
8AB...... Declarations that Act applies in relation to fishing
fleet support vessels on inter‑state or intra‑state voyages 17
8AC...... Expiration or revocation of declarations........................................... 18
8B......... Ships imported into Australia deemed to be
registered in Australia 18
9............ Delegation......................................................................................... 19
Part II—Masters and seamen 20
Division 1—General 20
9A......... Definitions........................................................................................ 20
10.......... Application of Part........................................................................... 20
Division 2—Superintendents 22
13.......... Superintendents................................................................................ 22
Division 2A—The manning of ships 23
14.......... Minimum complement of ships....................................................... 23
Division 3—Qualifications of masters, officers and seamen 25
15.......... Regulations respecting qualifications and watchkeeping
obligations of masters, officers and seamen 25
16.......... Unqualified person performing duties of master,
officer or seaman. 26
17.......... Certificates to be produced............................................................... 26
Division 4—Supplying seamen 28
32.......... Penalty for receiving fees for supply of seamen.............................. 28
Division 7—Crew work in port 29
45.......... Employment of crew in loading and unloading................................. 29
Division 8—Engagement of seamen 30
46.......... Engagement of seamen...................................................................... 30
47.......... Persons unsuitable for engagement................................................... 31
48.......... Report of circumstances rendering person
unsuitable for engagement 32
48A....... Minimum age for employment at sea............................................... 32
50.......... Period of agreements......................................................................... 32
52.......... Owner or master to furnish details of crew of
ship.......................... 34
53.......... Copy of agreement to be posted up................................................. 34
54.......... Agreements to be delivered to proper authority.............................. 34
55.......... Erasures and alterations.................................................................... 35
56.......... Offences............................................................................................ 35
57.......... Evidence as to agreement.................................................................. 35
59.......... Obligation as to seaworthiness......................................................... 35
59A....... Abolition of defence of common employment................................. 36
59B....... Shipowner not entitled to limit liability in
respect of certain claims 36
Division 9—Discharge of seamen 37
61.......... Provision of discharges to seamen.................................................... 37
62A....... Discharge of seamen outside Australia............................................. 37
63.......... False discharges................................................................................ 38
68.......... Offences in relation to certificates of discharge................................ 38
Division 10—Seamen’s wages 39
70.......... Allotment of seaman’s wages........................................................... 39
71.......... Right to sue upon allotment notes.................................................... 39
72.......... Commencement of payment............................................................. 40
73.......... Allotment to banks........................................................................... 40
75.......... Payment of wages on discharge........................................................ 40
75A....... Computation of wages...................................................................... 41
76.......... Account of wages on discharge......................................................... 41
77.......... Time for payment of wages.............................................................. 42
78.......... Wages to run on in certain cases....................................................... 43
81.......... Reference of differences to superintendent...................................... 43
82.......... Commencement of right to wages..................................................... 44
83.......... Recovery of wages............................................................................ 44
84.......... Wages not to be dependent on the earning of
freight........................ 45
85.......... Right to conveyance and wages in case of
termination of services by wreck or loss 45
88.......... Compensation for premature discharge............................................ 46
91.......... Jurisdiction as to wages.................................................................... 47
93.......... Wages not recoverable abroad in certain cases.................................. 47
94.......... Master’s remedies for wages............................................................ 48
Division 12—Discipline 49
101........ Smuggling by crew............................................................................ 49
104........ Stowaways and distressed seamen................................................... 49
110........ Return of foreign‑going seaman to ship............................................ 49
113........ Questions as to deductions............................................................... 50
Division 13—Provisions 51
116........ Bad provisions or water................................................................... 51
117........ Provisions adequate for voyage........................................................ 51
117A..... Adequate food catering facilities to be provided.............................. 52
119........ Weights and measures....................................................................... 52
120........ Inspection of provisions and water.................................................. 52
122........ Disposal of bad provisions............................................................... 53
Division 14—Health 54
123........ Medical Inspectors of Seamen.......................................................... 54
124........ Medical examination of masters and seamen.................................... 54
125........ Medicines etc. to be carried on ships............................................... 54
126........ Inspection of medicines.................................................................... 55
127........ Owner liable for medical attendance etc........................................... 55
128........ Recovery of expenses from owner................................................... 56
132........ Wages of seaman left on shore sick or injured.................................. 57
132A..... Security for expenses and wages of seaman left
behind................... 60
132B..... Seaman left on shore to furnish address and to
report for medical examination 61
133........ Medical practitioners and first aid attendants.................................. 62
134........ Regulations to give effect to the Medical
Examination (Seafarers) Convention 1946 62
Division 15—Accommodation 64
135........ Application of Division.................................................................... 64
136........ Regulations relating to accommodation............................................ 64
137........ Provision of ventilation and wheel‑houses....................................... 65
138........ Crew accommodation....................................................................... 66
138A..... Ships not to go to sea without required
accommodation.................. 66
138B..... Interpretation.................................................................................... 67
Division 16—Protection of seamen 68
139........ Facilities for making complaints etc................................................. 68
140........ Assignment of salvage...................................................................... 68
145........ Persons unlawfully boarding, or remaining on
board, ships............. 68
147........ Exemptions from serving on jury..................................................... 69
148........ Rescission of contract....................................................................... 69
148A..... Seaman not to be wrongfully left behind.......................................... 69
148C..... Wages and effects of seaman left behind.......................................... 70
148D..... Wages and effects to be held in trust................................................ 71
Division 17—Property of deceased seamen 72
149........ Interpretation.................................................................................... 72
150........ Master to take charge of money and effects..................................... 72
151........ Death of seamen abroad.................................................................... 72
152........ Penalty for not accounting for effects.............................................. 73
153........ Effects of deceased seaman not left on board................................... 74
154........ Recovery of wages of seaman lost with ship................................... 74
155........ Property of deceased seaman to be delivered to
superintendent...... 75
155A..... Transmission of money and effects to Authority............................ 75
156........ Right of Authority to dispose of effects of
deceased seaman.......... 75
157........ Wills of deceased seamen.................................................................. 76
158........ Creditors’ claims............................................................................... 77
158A..... Sale of effects etc. by auction........................................................... 78
159........ Disposal of effects when no claim.................................................... 78
160........ Giving false evidence in connection with deceased
seamen’s property.. 78
Division 18—Relief to seamen’s families 79
161........ Relief of families by public institutions........................................... 79
162........ Reimbursement of institutions......................................................... 79
Division 19—Relief and maintenance of distressed seamen 81
163........ Interpretation.................................................................................... 81
163A..... Regulations may make provision for relief and
maintenance of distressed seamen 81
Division 20—The master 83
164........ All ships may be searched................................................................ 83
167........ Agreement to be produced................................................................ 83
168........ Documents to be handed over to master’s successor....................... 84
Division 21—The log 85
171........ Official log‑book............................................................................... 85
172........ Offences in relation to official log‑book........................................... 85
172A..... Report of matters recorded in official log‑book................................ 86
173........ Delivery of official log‑book............................................................. 86
174........ Transmission of log‑book to superintendent.................................... 86
Part III—Foreign seamen 88
177........ Definition of seaman......................................................................... 88
178........ Apprehension of seaman.................................................................. 88
180........ Return to ship................................................................................... 88
183........ Proceedings at instance of consul only............................................. 89
184........ Proof of agreement............................................................................ 89
185........ Expenses to be paid by consul......................................................... 89
186........ Expenses of returning foreign seamen left behind............................. 89
Part IIIA—Pilotage 90
Division 1—General provisions applicable to pilotage 90
186A..... Application of Part........................................................................... 90
186B..... Definitions........................................................................................ 90
186C..... Qualifications of pilots etc............................................................... 90
186D..... Regulations may make other provisions relating to
pilotage etc...... 92
186E...... Unqualified person performing duties of licensed
pilot................... 92
186F...... Abuse of alcohol and other drugs..................................................... 93
Division 2—Compulsory pilotage 95
186G..... Definitions........................................................................................ 95
186H..... Regulations may provide for compulsory pilotage in
certain circumstances 96
186I....... Offence to navigate without a licensed pilot.................................... 96
186J...... Licensed pilots to issue certificates.................................................. 97
186K..... Exemption from requirement to navigate with a
licensed pilot........ 97
186L...... Defence in proceedings for offences................................................. 98
Part IV—Ships and shipping 99
Division 1—General 99
187........ Application of Part........................................................................... 99
187AA.. Issue of certificates in respect of ships to which
this Act does not apply 99
187A..... Interpretation.................................................................................. 100
187B..... Declaration of countries to which the Safety
Convention applies. 105
187BA.. Approval of classification certificates............................................ 105
187C..... When ships deemed to be overloaded............................................. 105
187D..... Certificate by Minister as to amendments of the Load
Line Convention 106
187E...... Certificate by Minister as to amendments of the
Safety Convention etc. 107
188........ Exemptions..................................................................................... 107
189........ All ships liable to survey and inspection....................................... 108
190........ Appointment of surveyors............................................................. 108
190AA.. Powers of inspection of surveyors................................................. 108
190AB.. ........................................................................................................ 109
190A..... Alterations etc. of ships and cancellation of
certificates................ 110
190B..... Regulations relating to construction, surveys etc........................... 111
191........ Regulations to give effect to Safety Convention............................ 111
191A..... Discretions relating to regulations giving effect to
Conventions.... 112
191B..... Offences with respect to subdivision load line marks.................... 113
192A..... Detention of ships not registered in Australia................................ 113
192B..... Stability information....................................................................... 114
192C..... Nuclear ships.................................................................................. 114
Division 2—Surveys of steamships and survey certificates 116
193........ Steamships to be surveyed periodically......................................... 116
194........ Surveyors’ reports and declarations, and issue of
certificates........ 116
195........ Duration and extension of certificates............................................ 117
195A..... Cancellation of certificates if ship ceases to be
registered in Australia 118
196........ Certificates to be made available for examination........................... 118
202........ Overcrowding steamships.............................................................. 118
203........ Alteration of certificates with respect to number
of passengers.... 119
204........ Inspection of ships exempt from survey........................................ 119
204A..... Non‑application to certain ships.................................................... 120
206........ Operation of watertight doors etc.................................................. 120
Division 2A—Sailing ships 121
206B..... Application of Division 2 to sailing ships...................................... 121
Division 2B—Issue of safety certificates 122
206C..... Interpretation.................................................................................. 122
206D..... Passenger steamships—safety certificates..................................... 122
206E...... Cargo steamships—safety construction certificates...................... 123
206F...... Cargo steamships—safety equipment certificates......................... 124
206G..... Cargo steamships—safety radio certificates.................................. 124
206GA.. Cargo steamships—safety certificates........................................... 125
206H..... Exemptions..................................................................................... 125
206J...... Nuclear passenger ships—safety certificates................................. 126
206K..... Nuclear cargo ships—safety certificates........................................ 126
206L...... Authority may request Safety Convention countries
to issue certificates 127
206M.... Safety Convention countries may request Authority to
issue certificates 127
206N..... Duration of certificates................................................................... 128
206P...... Extension of certificates.................................................................. 128
206PA... Cancellation of certificates if ship ceases to be
registered in Australia 128
206Q..... Certificates to be made available for examination........................... 128
Division 2C—Survey and safety certificates required for
ships 129
206R..... Interpretation.................................................................................. 129
206S...... Certificates required for Australian passenger
steamships............. 129
206T..... Certificates required for Australian cargo
steamships.................... 129
206U..... Certificates required for Australian nuclear ships.......................... 131
206V..... Documentary evidence of seaworthiness required for
non‑Safety Convention ships not registered in Australia 131
206W.... Production of certificates or other documentary
evidence............. 131
206X..... Modification of certificates............................................................ 133
Division 3—Unseaworthy and substandard ships 134
207........ Definition of seaworthy................................................................. 134
207A..... Substandard ships........................................................................... 134
208........ Sending unseaworthy ship to sea................................................... 135
209........ Seaman may claim discharge from unseaworthy or
substandard ship 135
210........ Detention of unseaworthy and substandard ships......................... 135
211........ Costs of detention.......................................................................... 136
212........ Taking detained ship to sea............................................................ 137
213........ Security for costs............................................................................ 137
214........ Circumstances where complainant liable for costs
of detention..... 137
Division 4—Life‑saving appliances and fire
protection 138
215........ Regulations may make provision in relation to life‑saving
and fire prevention 138
216A..... Modification of certificates in respect of life‑saving
appliances.... 138
217........ Offences as to appliances............................................................... 139
Division 5—Load lines 140
218........ Interpretation.................................................................................. 140
219........ Declaration of Load Line Convention countries............................. 141
220........ Load line regulations....................................................................... 141
221........ Exemptions..................................................................................... 141
222........ Issue of load line certificates........................................................... 143
223........ Issue of exemption certificates....................................................... 144
224........ Duration, extension and cancellation of
certificates........................ 144
225........ Particulars in certificate to be entered in log‑book.......................... 145
226........ Authority may issue certificate at request of Load
Line Convention country 145
227........ Authority may request Load Line Convention country
to issue certificates 146
227A..... Ships not to proceed to sea without load line
certificates.............. 146
227B..... Ships not to be overloaded............................................................. 148
227C..... Detention of ships incorrectly marked........................................... 149
227D..... Offences with respect to marks...................................................... 149
227E...... Inspection of non‑Australian Load Line
Convention ships........... 150
Division 6—Signals of distress 152
228........ Ships to be furnished with distress signals..................................... 152
229........ Signals of distress and urgency....................................................... 152
230........ Compensation for loss occasioned by improper use
of signals...... 152
Division 6A—Radio equipment 153
231........ Application of Division.................................................................. 153
231A..... Ships to be equipped with radio installations and
radio navigational aids 153
231B..... Radio operators.............................................................................. 153
231C..... Maintenance and use of radio equipment and radio
services.......... 154
231D..... Deficiency in number of operators on Safety Convention
ships... 154
231E...... Log‑books....................................................................................... 154
231F...... Regulations providing for radio installations etc............................ 155
Division 7—Compasses 156
232........ Regulations..................................................................................... 156
233........ Ships not to be taken to sea without proper
compasses................ 156
234........ Ship unseaworthy if not equipped with proper
compasses.......... 156
Division 8—Musters, drills and checks and tests of
machinery and equipment 157
235........ Musters and drills........................................................................... 157
236........ Machinery and equipment checks and tests................................... 157
Division 9—Containers 158
237........ Interpretation.................................................................................. 158
238........ Declaration of countries to which the Container
Convention applies 158
239........ Certificate by Minister as to amendments of the
Container Convention 158
240........ Regulations to give effect to the Container
Convention................. 159
241........ Safety requirements and tests not required or
permitted by the Container Convention not to be imposed 159
Division 10—Dangerous goods, livestock, grain, deck and
other cargoes 160
248........ Definition of dangerous goods........................................................ 160
249........ Shipping of dangerous goods.......................................................... 160
250........ Powers of owner or master as to dangerous goods......................... 160
251........ Right to decline to sail in ships carrying
dangerous goods............. 160
252........ Forfeiture of dangerous goods........................................................ 161
253........ False descriptions........................................................................... 161
253A..... Carriage of dangerous goods........................................................... 161
254........ Prohibition on carriage of cargo...................................................... 162
255........ Notice of intention to ship............................................................. 162
257........ Loading, stowing, carriage and unloading of cargo.......................... 163
Division 11—Collisions, loss and damage 164
258........ Collisions, lights and signals........................................................... 164
258AA.. Certificate by Minister as to amendments of the
Prevention of Collisions Convention 165
258A..... Careful navigation near ice.............................................................. 166
259........ Rule as to division of loss............................................................... 166
260........ Damages for personal injuries......................................................... 166
261........ Right of contribution...................................................................... 167
261A..... Application of sections 259, 260 and 261 to
Defence ships.......... 167
263........ Abolition of statutory presumption of fault.................................. 167
264........ Master to render assistance and abolition of
statutory presumption of fault 168
265........ Obligation to render assistance....................................................... 168
265A..... Liability of charterers etc................................................................ 170
Division 12—Ships carrying or using oil 171
266........ Interpretation.................................................................................. 171
267........ Application of Division.................................................................. 171
267A..... Regulations to give effect to certain Regulations of
Annex I.......... 172
267B..... Ship construction certificates......................................................... 172
267C..... International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificates........................ 172
267D..... Alteration etc. of construction of ships and
cancellation of certificates 173
267E...... Ships to be surveyed periodically.................................................. 174
267F...... Cancellation of certificate if ship ceases to be
registered etc.......... 174
267G..... Certificates required for Australian ships....................................... 175
267H..... Certificates to be carried on board Australian ships....................... 175
267J...... Production of certificates................................................................ 175
267K..... Directions in relation to foreign ships............................................ 176
Division 12A—Ships carrying noxious liquid substances in
bulk 178
267M.... Interpretation.................................................................................. 178
267N..... Application of Division.................................................................. 178
267P...... Regulations to give effect to regulation 11 of
Annex II.................. 179
267Q..... Chemical tanker construction certificates....................................... 179
267R..... International Pollution Prevention Certificates for
the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk 179
267S...... Alteration etc. of construction of ships and
cancellation of certificates 180
267T..... Ships to be surveyed periodically.................................................. 181
267U..... Cancellation of certificate if ship ceases to be an
Australian ship.. 182
267V..... Certificates required for Australian ships....................................... 182
267W.... Certificates to be carried on board Australian ships....................... 182
267X..... Production of certificates................................................................ 182
267Y..... Directions in relation to foreign ships............................................ 183
Division 12B—Ships carrying packaged harmful substances 185
267ZA.. Interpretation.................................................................................. 185
267ZB... Application of Division.................................................................. 185
267ZC... Regulations to give effect to Regulations 1 to 6
(inclusive) of Annex III 186
Division 12C—Sewage 187
267ZD.. Interpretation.................................................................................. 187
267ZE... Application of Division.................................................................. 187
267ZF... Regulations to give effect to Regulations 4, 9 and 10
of Annex IV 188
267ZG.. International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificates
for Australian ships 188
267ZH.. International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificates
for foreign ships 188
267ZJ.... Alteration etc. of construction of ships and
cancellation of certificates 189
267ZK.. Ships to be surveyed periodically.................................................. 190
267ZL... Cancellation of sewage certificate if ship ceases to
be an Australian ship 191
267ZM. Certificates required for Australian ships....................................... 191
267ZN.. Certificates to be carried on board Australian ships....................... 191
267ZP... Production of certificates................................................................ 192
267ZQ.. Directions in relation to foreign ships............................................ 192
267ZS... Operation of Division..................................................................... 193
Division 13—Report of accidents and of dangers to
navigation 194
268........ Accidents etc. to be reported.......................................................... 194
269........ Notification of loss of ships........................................................... 196
269A..... Report of dangers to navigation...................................................... 196
Division 14—Report of movement of ships 198
269B..... Definitions...................................................................................... 198
269C..... Objects of Division.........................................................................
