Mandatory reporting is a crucial aspect of ensuring safety and environmental protection in the shipping industry in Australia. It requires ship owners, operators, and masters to report certain incidents and occurrences that happen during the operation of a ship, such as marine accidents, machinery failures, pollution incidents, and severe weather incidents.
The purpose of mandatory reporting is to help AMSA monitor risks associated with shipping and to identify areas where improvements can be made to enhance safety and reduce the risk of accidents and incidents. In this way, mandatory reporting plays a critical role in enhancing marine safety and environmental protection in Australia.
What Should be Reported to AMSA
Generally, you should report an incident if it involves:
- A marine accident or incident that resulted in, or could have resulted in, death, serious injury, or significant damage to property or the environment.
- A machinery failure or defect that could affect the safe operation of the vessel or its equipment.
- A collision, grounding, or other impact that caused damage to the vessel or another object.
- A pollution incident, including oil or chemical spills.
- A security incident, such as piracy or terrorism.
- Severe weather incidents that affect the safe operation of the vessel.
- Search and rescue operations.
It is always best to err on the side of caution and make a report if you are unsure whether an incident needs to be reported or not. Mandatory reporting is, nevertheless, a legal requirement under the provisions of the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 and the Navigation Act 2012. The consequences of failing to report a mandatory incident can be severe, including fines and legal action.
1. Online reporting form
You can complete an online reporting form on the AMSA website. The form requires you to provide details about the incident, including the date, time, and location, as well as a description of what happened.
2. Email reporting
You can send an email to the AMSA incident reporting mailbox (reports@amsa.gov.au) to report the incident. You will need to provide the same information as you would when completing the online form.
When making the report, regardless of the method used, it is important to provide as much detail as possible about the incident, including the circumstances leading up to the incident and any actions taken to mitigate the impact.
3. Emergencies
In the event of an emergency please dial 000 or 112 (satellite phone) for help.
It is also helpful to keep records of the incident and any follow-up actions taken, as AMSA may request this information at a later date as part of their investigation.
Why Mandatory Reporting is Important
Mandatory reporting is necessary to help ensure safety and environmental protection in the shipping industry in Australia. By requiring ship owners, operators, and masters to report certain incidents and occurrences, AMSA can gather important data and information that can be used to identify trends and patterns, and to improve safety regulation on the waters.
Overall, AMSA mandatory reporting plays a critical role in enhancing marine safety and environmental protection in Australia. It provides a framework for reporting incidents and occurrences that helps to ensure that risks associated with shipping are monitored, and that necessary improvements are made to enhance safety and protect the environment. It will therefore benefit the community and country to report the incidents and play our role.
How Insurance Brokers can Help
While not typically involved in the creation of mandatory reports, insurance brokers can still provide valuable assistance to ship owners and operators. We help to navigate the complex regulatory landscape and ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. We can also assist with obtaining appropriate insurance coverage that meets the unique needs of the vessel and its operation.
Commercial marine insurance is complex, which has caused a lot of boat owners to obtain the wrong type of insurance for their commercial operations. R&M Insurance Brokers work on the client’s best interest and will only acquire the best insurance coverage from multiple insurance providers to fit into their business needs.
