Navigation (Miscellaneous Equipment) Regulations (Amendment)

Legislation au C1976L00118 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Statutory Rules

1976 No. 118

REGULATIONS UNDER THE NAVIGATION ACT 1912-1973.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1973.

Dated this fourth day of June, 1976.

JOHN R. KERR

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

PETER NIXON

Minister of State for Transport.

_______

Amendments of the Navigation (Miscellaneous Equipment) Regulations†

Interpretation.

1. Regulation 2 of the Navigation (Miscellaneous Equipment) Regulations is amended by adding at the end of sub-regulation (1) the following definition:—

“ ‘ closing appliance ’ means a stern, bow or side loading door or similar closing appliance that is designed to prevent, when closed and secured, the entry of water into a ship through a cargo port or similar opening in the stern, bow or side of the ship.”.

2. After regulation 15b of the Navigation (Miscellaneous Equipment) Regulations the following regulation is inserted:—

Indicator system for ship closing appliances.

“ 15c. A Class I ship or a Class II ship that has a closing appliance shall be fitted with an indicator system consisting of such visual indicators and aural alarms as are required in accordance with the specifications in the Schedule.”.

Schedule.

3. After regulation 19 of the Navigation (Miscellaneous Equipment) Regulations the following Schedule is added:—

SCHEDULE Regulation 15c

SPECIFICATIONS FOR INDICATOR SYSTEM FOR A CLASS I SHIP OR A CLASS II SHIP HAVING A CLOSING APPLIANCE

Visual Indicators

1. In relation to each closing appliance, a ship shall be fitted with such number of sets of visual indicators as is necessary to ensure that—

(a) a set of visual indicators is located in the area from which the ship is normally navigated and is clearly visible to the person engaged in navigating the ship;

(b) a set of visual indicators is located adjacent to the controls for the operation of the closing appliance and is clearly visible to the person engaged in operating the closing appliance; and

 

* Notified in the Australian Government Gazette on 15 June 1976.

† Statutory Rules 1939, No. 54, as amended by Statutory Rules 1963, No. 97; and 1968, No. 36.


Schedule—continued

(c) where the closing appliance is secured by a power operated securing device—a set of visual indicators is located adjacent to the controls for the operation of the securing device and is clearly visible to the person engaged in operating the controls.

2. (1) Each set of visual indicators shall consist of 2 indicators and shall be clearly and permanently labelled to indicate the closing appliance to which it relates.

(2) Each set of visual indicators shall be clearly and permanently labelled in a manner that indicates that, when one of the indicators is operating, the closing appliance is “ closed and secured ” and that, when the other indicator is operating, the closing appliance is “ unsecured ”.

(3) The indicator that is required to operate when the closing appliance is “ closed and secured ” shall be capable of operating only when the closing appliance is closed and secured.

(4) The indicator that is required to operate when the closing appliance is “ unsecured ” shall be capable of operating only when the closing appliance is open or is closed but not secured.

3. Where a set of visual indicators consists of electric lamps, the lamps shall—

(a) not be capable of being dimmed to an extent that would cause the lamps to be ineffective as indicators; and

(b) not be capable of being extinguished independently of the operation of the indicator system.

Aural Alarms

4. (1) In relation to each closing appliance, an aural alarm shall be located adjacent to each set of visual indicators that relates to the appliance.

(2) Where 2 or more sets of visual indicators relating to one or more closing appliances are located in close proximity to one another in a single compartment of a ship, the location of one aural alarm in close proximity to those sets of visual indicators shall be sufficient compliance with the requirement of sub-paragraph (1) in relation to each of those sets of visual indicators.

5. Each aural alarm shall be fitted in a manner that ensures that the alarm is incapable of being isolated front the operation of any indicator system of which it forms part.

6. Each aural alarm shall be fitted in a manner that ensures that it will automatically sound for at least 10 seconds when the closing appliance to which it relates ceases to be closed and secured.

7. An aural alarm shall be of a kind that, when sounded, is clearly audible above the maximum sound level that may be expected in the part of the ship in which the alarm is situated when the ship is being prepared for, or is engaged on, a voyage.

8. An aural alarm shall not be fitted with a device that permits the volume or tone of the alarm to be adjusted.

Indicator Actuators

9. Each set of visual indicators and each aural alarm, relating to a closing appliance, shall be actuated by such number of indicator actuators as is required to be fitted to the closing appliance in accordance with paragraph 10 or 11.

10. A closing appliance fitted with power operated securing devices that operate in a fixed pre-determined sequence shall be fitted with at least one indicator actuator.

11. A closing appliance fitted with securing devices that operate otherwise than in a fixed pre-determined sequence shall be fitted with such number (not being less than 2) of widely spaced actuators as is sufficient to indicate whether or not the closing appliance is closed and secured.

12. Where 2 or more indicator actuators are fitted to a closing appliance, those actuators shall be arranged in series to ensure that all of the actuators operate before the sets of visual indicators that relate to the closing appliance indicate that the closing appliance is closed and secured.

13. Cable, piping and other material connecting an indicator actuator to a set of visual indicators or an aural alarm shall be located and protected in a manner designed to prevent mechanical or other damage to the indicator system.


Schedule—continued

Components

14. Each component of the indicator system shall—

(a) be of a kind that is suitable for use in a marine environment;

(b) be constructed in a manner that will ensure that the operating capability of the component will not be affected by likely changes in temperature or other climatic conditions;

(c) be constructed in a manner that will ensure that the component will be capable of reliable operation over the range of vibrations to which the component is likely to be subjected; and

(d) where the component is likely to be exposed to direct contact with water, be constructed in a manner that will ensure that the operating capability of the component will not be affected by contact with water.

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1976 No. 118, titled "Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1973," was introduced to address the need for enhanced safety measures on ships by mandating the installation of indicator systems for closing appliances on Class I and Class II ships. Enacted by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these regulations aim to improve maritime safety by ensuring that closing appliances, such as loading doors, are properly secured and monitored. This was achieved by requiring the installation of visual indicators and aural alarms that alert the ship's crew when a closing appliance is unsecured. The regulations were designed to enhance the safety and efficiency of maritime operations by ensuring that the status of critical ship equipment is clearly communicated to those responsible for navigating and operating the vessel.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1976 No. 118, made under the Navigation Act 1912-1973, pertain to the mandatory installation of an indicator system for closing appliances on Class I and Class II ships. These Regulations apply to ships that are subject to Australian maritime laws and are intended to ensure safety at sea by providing clear and unambiguous visual and aural signals that indicate the status of closing appliances, such as loading doors. The Regulations specify the technical requirements for these indicator systems, including the number and placement of visual indicators, the specifications for aural alarms, and the operational parameters for indicator actuators. The Regulations apply nationally and are enforceable across all Australian waters. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in these Regulations, and they are implemented without additional thresholds or subordinate instruments. The specified requirements must be adhered to by ship owners, operators, and relevant maritime authorities to ensure compliance with maritime safety standards.

Key Provisions

The principal sections of the Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1973 (C1976L00118) primarily concern the specifications for the indicator system for ship closing appliances, as outlined in the newly added Regulation 15c and the Schedule. Regulation 2 defines a "closing appliance" as any stern, bow or side loading door or similar closing appliance designed to prevent water entry into a ship through a cargo port or similar opening when closed and secured. Regulation 15c mandates that Class I and Class II ships with closing appliances must be equipped with an indicator system that includes visual indicators and aural alarms, as specified in the Schedule. The Schedule details the exact requirements for these visual indicators and aural alarms, including their placement, labelling, and operational specifications to ensure they are clearly visible and audible to personnel navigating and operating the ship. The obligations imposed by these regulations on the parties or entities governed primarily revolve around the installation and maintenance of the indicator systems. Ship operators must ensure that their vessels comply with the specifications outlined in the Schedule. This includes fitting the requisite number of visual indicators and aural alarms in specific locations, ensuring that these indicators and alarms are clearly visible and audible, and are capable of operating correctly under various environmental conditions. The regulations also mandate that the components of the indicator system must be suitable for marine environments, resistant to temperature and climatic changes, and capable of reliable operation despite potential vibrations and water exposure. Failure to comply with the regulations can result in serious consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the legislative instrument itself, breaches of maritime safety regulations can generally lead to severe penalties under the broader Navigation Act 1912-1973. Such penalties can include substantial fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on maritime safety. Additionally, non-compliance can lead to the detention of the vessel until the necessary safety measures are rectified, potentially causing significant operational disruptions and financial losses.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Maritime Law
Instrument
Regulation
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Regulatory Standards
Compliance Obligations

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

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.