EXPLANATORY NOTES
Marine Orders, Part 61
(Safe working on board ships)
Issue 1
Order No 20 of 1999
Authority
1. Section 425(1) of the Navigation Act 1912 (the Act) empowers the Governor-General to make regulations necessary or convenient for carrying out or giving effect to the Act.
2. Section 425 (1AA) of the Act allows the Australian Maritime Safety Authority to make orders with respect to matters in Part II of the Act in relation to which provision may be made by regulations.
3. Marine Orders, Part 61, Issue 1 was made pursuant to section 425(1AA).
Gazettal
4. Arrangements have been made for this Issue of Marine Orders Part 61 to be gazetted in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Government Notices 15 December 1999.
Purpose
5. Marine Orders Part 61, for the purposes of the Navigation Act, prescribes matters pertaining the safety of persons on board a ship and gives effect to the Code of Safe Working Practice for the Australian Seafarer (the Code).
Consultation
6. The Code was prepared by an industry working group, and both the code and the draft Marine Order have been circulated to industry for comment.
Overview
7. Part 61 gives effect to a code of practice for safety of persons on board a ship and incorporates requirements specific to Australian occupational health and safety work practices.
Contents of the Order
8. Provision 1 provides interpretations necessary for proper understanding of the Order.
9. Provision 2 indicates the purpose for which this Order has been made.
10. Provision 3 specifies the ships to which this Part applies.
11. Provision 4 specifies, for the purpose of the Navigation (Orders) Regulations, the provisions that are penal provisions.
12. Provision 5 specifies components of a safety system required to be provided on board a ship by a ship owner and specifies the responsibilities of the Master in relation to that system. This provision also specifies crew members’ responsibilities in respect to safe practices on board a ship.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
December 1999