STATUTORY RULES.
1929. No. 53.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE NAVIGATION ACT 1912-1926.
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 1912-1926, to come into operation on 1st October, 1929.
Dated this twenty-third day of May, 1929.
STONEHAVEN
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
H. S. GULLETT
Minister of State for Trade and Customs.
Amendment of Navigation (Wireless Telegraphy) Regulations.
(Statutory Rules 1924, No. 72, as amended by Statutory Rules 1926, No. 65.)
1. Regulation 6 of the Navigation (Wireless Telegraphy) Regulations is amended by omitting sub-regulation (2).
2. The Navigation (Wireless Telegraphy) Regulations are amended by inserting after regulation 9 the following regulation:—
“9a.—A ship of Class II. or Class III. shall be fitted with an automatic apparatus, of a type* approved by the Board of Trade of the United Kingdom, for registering the wireless signal of distress prescribed by the Navigation (Distress Signals and Danger Calls) Regulations for use by a vessel in distress, unless the duration of the voyage on which the ship is employed does not exceed eight hours from port to port:
Provided that this Regulation shall not apply to a ship so long as it complies with the requirements of regulation 10 for a ship of Class I.”
*Note.—Particulars as to the conditions to be complied with as regards such an apparatus, in order to receive the approval of the Board of Trade, are contained in Schedule II. to the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Rules 1927, being Statutory Rules and Orders 1927, No. 529, issued by the Board of Trade.
By Authority: H. J. Green, Government Printer, Canberra.
1375.—Price 3d.
Overview
Statutory Rules 1929 No. 53, made under the Navigation Act 1912-1926, was enacted to address the need for improved maritime safety and communication through the regulation of wireless telegraphy on ships. The Act was introduced by the Commonwealth Parliament to ensure that vessels, particularly those on longer voyages, were equipped with appropriate distress signal apparatus to enhance maritime safety. The regulations specifically amend the Navigation (Wireless Telegraphy) Regulations to mandate the installation of automatic distress signal apparatus approved by the Board of Trade of the United Kingdom on certain classes of ships, ensuring that they can effectively communicate in emergencies. This legislative instrument aims to bridge the gap in maritime safety protocols by updating the requirements for wireless telegraphy equipment on ships, reflecting the evolving standards and technological advancements in maritime communication.
Scope and Application
The Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1926, enacted by the Governor-General, specifically address maritime wireless telegraphy and are intended to ensure compliance with international maritime safety standards. These regulations apply to ships classified as Class II or Class III, mandating that they be equipped with an approved automatic apparatus for registering distress signals unless the voyage duration does not exceed eight hours from port to port. This requirement does not apply to ships that meet the criteria for Class I vessels. The provisions of these regulations are enforceable across the Commonwealth of Australia, reflecting the federal nature of maritime governance. Notably, these regulations do not apply to any ship that complies with the more stringent requirements of Class I vessels. The amendments to the Navigation (Wireless Telegraphy) Regulations, as set out in the Statutory Rules, aim to harmonise maritime communication equipment with international standards, ensuring safety and efficiency in maritime operations.
Key Provisions
The primary provisions of the Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1926, as amended, pertain to wireless telegraphy and distress signal registration on ships. Specifically, Regulation 6 of the Navigation (Wireless Telegraphy) Regulations has been amended by omitting sub-regulation (2), and a new regulation, 9a, has been added. Regulation 9a mandates that ships classified as Class II or Class III must be equipped with an automatic apparatus approved by the Board of Trade of the United Kingdom for registering distress signals. This requirement, however, does not apply if the voyage duration from port to port does not exceed eight hours, or if the ship meets the requirements outlined in regulation 10 for Class I ships. Detailed conditions for the approval of such apparatus are provided in Schedule II of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Rules 1927.
These Regulations impose specific obligations on ship owners and operators to ensure compliance with the stipulated requirements. For Class II and Class III ships, the obligation includes fitting approved automatic apparatus for distress signal registration, unless the voyage duration criteria are met or the ship meets the higher standards of Class I. This requirement is intended to enhance maritime safety by ensuring that ships are equipped with reliable distress signal registration capabilities. Ship owners must verify that their vessels comply with these regulations before embarking on voyages.
Failure to comply with the Regulations may result in various consequences. While the specific legal consequences are not detailed in the provided text, breaches of maritime safety regulations generally lead to penalties under the Navigation Act 1912-1926. Penalties for such breaches can include fines and, in severe cases, criminal charges. The exact penalties may vary based on the nature and severity of the breach, but they are designed to enforce compliance and ensure maritime safety. Ensuring adherence to these Regulations is thus crucial for ship operators to avoid potential legal repercussions.