Navigation (Master and Seamen) Regulations (Amendment)

Legislation au C1952L00115 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

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STATUTORY RULES.

1952. No. 115.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE NAVIGATION ACT 1912-1952.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1952.

Dated this  nineteenth

day of  December , 1952.

W.J. McKell

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

Minister of State for Shipping and Transport.

Amendments of the Navigation (Master and Seamen) Regulations.

1. Regulation 11 of the Navigation (Master and Seamen) Regulations is repealed and the following regulations are inserted in its stead:—

Reports of seaman’s character.

“11. The prescribed form for the purposes of section 67 of the Act is—

(a) in the case of a seaman in respect of whom the report is other than ‘very good’—Form M. & S.—7; and

(b) in any other case—that part of Form M. & S.—16 headed ‘List of Crew and Report of Character.’.

Monthly report by master.

11a. The master of every ship registered in Australia or engaged in the coasting trade shall, as soon as practicable after the end of each month, submit to the Director a report in Form M. & S.—7a.”.

Allotment notes.

2. Regulation 12 of the Navigation (Master and Seamen) Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from sub-regulation (1.) the words “engaged on a foreign-going ship”; and

(b) by omitting from sub-regulation (2.) the words “Savings Bank” and inserting in their stead the word “bank”.

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on , 1952.

† Statutory Rules 1924, No. 199, as amended by Statutory Rules 1925, No. 87, 1927. Nos. 48 and 89, 1929. No. 54: 1931. No. 142; 1933, No. 140; 1935. No. 75; 1942, No. 30: 1947. No. 5: and 1951. No. 67.

4775.—Price 5d.  32/3.12.1952.


3. Regulation 18 of the Navigation (Master and Seamen) Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—

Reduction or remission of fines.

“18.— (1.) A fine imposed on a seaman for a breach of discipline specified in his agreement may be reduced or remitted in accordance with this regulation.

“(2.) A fine—

(a) shall not be reduced until the expiration of fourteen days after the date on which the breach of discipline was committed; or

(b) shall not be remitted until the expiration of one month after the date on which the breach of discipline wascommitted.

“(3.) Where the conduct of the seaman on whom a fine has been imposed has, subsequent to the imposition of the fine, been good, the master may, if he desires to reduce or remit the fine, make in the official log book an entry that the conduct of the seaman has been good subsequent to the date of the imposition of the fine and that he desires to reduce the fine to an amount specified in the entry or to remit the fine.

“(4.) Where, at the time of the discharge of the seaman, the superintendent before whom the seaman is discharged approves the reduction or the remission of the fine, the fine shall, as the ease, requires, be reduced or remitted accordingly, but, if the superintendent does not approve the entry, the fine shall not be reduced or remitted.”.

Charges for Forms.

4. Regulation 29 of the Navigation (Master and Seamen) Regulations is amended by omitting the figures and words—

“5G pages, 120 men”

and inserting in their stead the figures and words—

“56 pages, 150 men”.

The Schedule— Form M. & S.— 3.

5. The Schedule to the Navigation (Master and Seamen) Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from Form M. & S.—3 the words—

“And it is also agreed that the Regulations authorized by the Navigation (Master and Seamen) Regulations, which are printed herein and numbered2 are adopted by the parties hereto and shall be considered as embodied in this Agreement.” (wherever occurring)

and inserting in their stead the words—

“And it is also agreed that, if any seaman bound by this agreement commits a breach of discipline specified in the second column of the table in this agreement headed ‘Table of Breaches of Discipline and Fines’, that breach shall be a breach of this agreement and the master shall impose a line of the amount specified in that table in relation to that breach of discipline.”;

(b) by omitting from Form M. & S.—3 the words—

2 Here are to be inserted the Numbers of any of the Regulations for preserving discipline authorized by the Navigation (Master and Seamen) Regulations, and printed on the third page hereof, which the parties agree to adopt.”

(wherever occurring);


(c) by omitting from Form M. & S.—3 all the words from and including the words “Regulations for Maintaining Discipline.” to and including the words “the fine shall thereupon be remitted or reduced accordingly.” and the table of offence and fines immediately following those words (wherever occurring) and inserting in their stead the following table:—

TABLE OF BREACHES OF DISCIPLINE AND FINES.

No.

Offence.

Amount of Fine.

Signature of Superintendent.

1

Striking or assaulting any person on board or belonging to the ship (if not otherwise dealt with according to law)              

Five pounds......

 

2

Bringing or having on board intoxicating liquors without the concurrence of the Master  

Ten shillings .....

 

3

Drunkenness—

 

 

 

First offence ........................

One pound ......

 

 

Each subsequent offence ................

Two pounds .....

 

4

Taking on board and keeping possession of any firearms, knuckle-duster, loaded cane, slung shot, sword-stick, bowie-knife, dagger or any other offensive weapon or offensive instrument, without the concurrence of the master—for every day during which a seaman retains such weapon or instrument              

One pound ......

 

5

Insolent or contemptuous language or behaviour to the master or an officer or disobedience to lawful commands (if not otherwise dealt with according to law)—

 

 

 

First offence .......................

One pound ......

 

 

Each subsequent offence ...............

Five pounds .....

 

6

Failure or refusal without reasonable cause to proceed to sea in the ship when lawfully ordered to do so by the master (if not otherwise dealt with according to law)              

Two days’ pay....

 

7

Absence from duty or from the ship without leave and without reasonable cause at the time fixed for the vessel’s departure (if not otherwise dealt with according to law)              

Five pounds .....

 

8

Absence from duty or from the ship without leave and without reasonable cause at a time other than that fixed for the vessel’s departure (if not otherwise dealt with according to law)—for each day on which such absence occurs              

Two days’ pay....

 

(d) by omitting from Form M. & S.—3 (wherever occurring) the table headed “Account of Apprentices on Board” and inserting in its stead the following tables:—

LIST OF YOUNG PERSONS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE, OTHER THAN APPRENTICES, EMPLOYED ON BOARD.

Name in Full.

Date of Birth.

Capacity.

Date of Joining for the Voyage.

 

 

 

 

 


ACCOUNT OF ALL APPRENTICES ON BOARD,

Name in Full.

Date of Birth.

Place and Country of Birth.

Nationality (If a British Subject, State Whether Natural-born or Naturalized).

Capacity.

Date on, and Place at Which Indentures Signed.

Date of Joining Ship for the Voyage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Schedule-Form M. & S.— 7.

6. The Schedule to the Navigation (Master and Seamen) Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from Form M. & S.—7 the words “,in this Form,”; and

(b) by inserting in that Form, after the words “Name of Seaman” the words “and Date and Place of Birth”.

The Schedule— Form M. & S.— 7A.

7. The Schedule to the Navigation (Master and Seamen) Regulations is amended by inserting after Form M. & S.—7 the following form:—

 

Form M. & S. 7a.

" COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.

 

Navigation Act 1912-19    .

 

Nav. (M. & S.) Reg. 11a

.

 

MONTHLY RETURN RELATING TO FINES, INSTANT DISMISSALS, SEAMEN WHO HAVE DESERTED OR FAILED TO JOIN OR TO GO TO SEA AND REPORTS OF CHARACTER OTHER THAN VERY GOOD.

Name of Ship.

Official Number.

Port of Registry.

 

 

 

The following information is furnished in regard to the abovementioned ship

for the month of , 19 .


(1) Statement of Fines Imposed under the Agreement and Names of Seamen Instantly Dismissed.

Date of Imposition of Fine or of Dismissal.

Name of Seaman.

Date and Place of Birth.

Rating.

Offence (Brief Description, Only, e.g., Drunkenness, A.W.L., &c).

Action Taken namely, Amount of Fine or Dismissal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2) Fines Previously Imposed but since Reduced or Remitted under Regulation 18 of the Navigation (Master and Seamen) Regulations.

Name of Seaman.

Amount of Fine Previously Imposed.

Date of Reduction or Remission.

Whether Reduced or Remitted (if Former State Actual Amount Paid to Superintendent MMO. on Discharge).

 

 

 

 

(3) Seamen who have Deserted or Failed to Join, or to go to Sea, in the Ship.

Name of Seaman.

Date and Place of Birth.

Rating.

Date and Place of Engagement.

Whether failed to Join, Deserted, or Failed to Go to Sea.

Date and Place of Desertion of Failure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(4) Certificates of Discharge other than Very Good Issued.

Name of Seaman.

Date and Place of Birth.

Rating.

Date and Place of Discharge.

Report of Character.

Conduct.

Ability.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Master.

/ / .

The Schedule— Form M. & S.

8. The Schedule to the Navigation (Master and Seamen) Regulations is amended by omitting from Form M. & S.—8 the words “Savings Bank” and inserting in their stead the word “Bank”.

By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1952 No. 115, enacted under the Navigation Act 1912-1952, were introduced to address the need for updated regulations governing the character reporting, monthly reports by ship masters, and allotment notes for seamen in Australia. These regulations were made by the Governor-General in Council, following the advice of the Federal Executive Council, to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements for maritime operations. The policy objective of these regulations was to maintain discipline and order among seamen and to ensure that all relevant information regarding seamen's conduct and fines was properly documented and reported to the relevant authorities. The regulations aimed to streamline the reporting process for ship masters, update the prescribed forms for character reports, and adjust the allotment notes to reflect changes in the banking system.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1952 apply to masters of ships registered in Australia or engaged in the coasting trade, as well as seamen employed on such ships. These Regulations primarily concern the reporting of seaman’s character, monthly reports by masters, allotment notes, reduction or remission of fines, and charges for forms. The application of these regulations is limited to ships registered in Australia or involved in the coasting trade, thus extending the scope to both Commonwealth and state waters where applicable. There are no explicit exclusions or thresholds stated in these Regulations; however, certain conditions and timelines apply to the reduction or remission of fines. The Regulations may be further extended or modified through subordinate instruments as deemed necessary by the relevant authorities.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1952 primarily focus on updates to seaman's reports, monthly reports by ship masters, and changes in disciplinary fines. Specifically, Regulation 11 (1) details the prescribed forms for seaman's character reports, with Form M. & S.-7 used for reports that are not "very good" and a specific part of Form M. & S.-16 for all other cases (11). Regulation 11(a) mandates that the master of every Australian-registered ship or one engaged in coasting trade must submit a monthly report in Form M. & S.-7a to the Director (11a). These regulations also modify allotment notes, eliminate specific references to foreign-going ships, and adjust banking references (2). The Regulations impose certain obligations on ship masters and seamen, including the timely submission of detailed monthly reports (11a) and the requirement to report any disciplinary breaches and subsequent fines (18). These obligations extend to ensuring that all fines imposed are recorded appropriately in the official log book and that any reductions or remissions are approved by the superintendent before the seaman's discharge (18). Failure to comply with these Regulations can result in penalties. For instance, a master who fails to submit the required monthly report may face disciplinary action, and seamen who do not adhere to the disciplinary codes outlined in the Regulations may incur fines (18). The specific fines for various breaches are detailed in the amended Table of Breaches of Discipline and Fines, with varying amounts based on the severity and recurrence of the offence (5). These penalties are designed to maintain discipline and order on ships, ensuring the safety and efficiency of maritime operations.

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Maritime Law
Instrument
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Definitions & Interpretation
Offence Provisions
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.