SHIPPING REGISTRATION ACT 1981
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR REGISTRATION
Notice is hereby given of the intention of Gal Martin Ecker of Granuaile, anchored at Mitchell park, marine parade, southport, Qld to apply, after the expiration of the period of thirty days commencing on the date of publication of this notice, for the registration under the above named Act of the ship particulars of which are set out below.
Objections to the registration of the ship in the name of the abovementioned person, by persons claiming a legal proprietary right in respect of the ship, should, together with any relevant documents that will verify the claim be delivered to the Registrar of Ships at the Australian Shipping Registration Office, Level 3, 82 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon, ACT 2612 or to the Registrar of Ships at the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, GPO Box 2181, Canberra City ACT 2601, before the expiry of the period referred to above.
Particulars of Ship
Present name: Granuaile
Former name: Granuaile
Present whereabouts: Anchored at Mitchell park, southport, Qld
Length: 33 foot/10 meters
Principal material of construction: Fiberglass
Type of ship: pleasure craft, sailboat
Overview
The Shipping Registration Act 1981 was enacted to provide a framework for the registration of ships in Australia, addressing the need for a formal system to record ownership and details of vessels operating within Australian waters. This legislation establishes the legal basis for the registration process, ensuring that ship ownership and other pertinent details are properly documented and accessible for regulatory and enforcement purposes. The enactment of this Act was overseen by the Australian Parliament, with the policy objective of promoting maritime safety and security by maintaining a clear and accurate register of ships. This helps in preventing issues such as unregistered vessels, which could lead to difficulties in maritime law enforcement and jurisdictional disputes. The notice provided under this Act allows for the public to raise any objections regarding the registration of a ship, ensuring that all legal proprietary rights are considered before registration is finalised.
Scope and Application
The Shipping Registration Act 1981 applies to any individual or entity intending to register a ship in Australia. Specifically, the Act governs the process through which a person, such as Gal Martin Ecker in the given example, can apply for the registration of a ship's particulars. The geographic reach of the Act is national, covering all ships registered in Australia, and extends to ships anchored or situated within Australian territory, such as the ship Granuaile anchored at Mitchell Park in Southport, Queensland. The Act facilitates the registration of ship details, including the ship's name, location, length, and type, ensuring that all necessary documentation is submitted to the appropriate authorities, namely the Registrar of Ships at the Australian Shipping Registration Office or the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. The Act does not specify any exclusions or thresholds for registration but allows for objections to be raised by persons claiming a legal proprietary right in the ship, which must be substantiated with relevant documentation within the stipulated period. Subordinate instruments may further detail the registration process and related administrative procedures.
Key Provisions
The Shipping Registration Act 1981 primarily requires ship owners to register their vessel with the Australian government to ensure that all ships operating within Australian waters are properly identified and regulated. Section 10 of the Act mandates that any individual or entity intending to register a ship must first publish a notice of intention to apply for registration, as exemplified in the provided Gazette entry (C2020G00709). This notice must include specific details about the ship and the applicant, such as the ship’s current name, former name, location, dimensions, and material of construction (Section 10(1)). In this case, the ship named Granuaile, currently anchored at Mitchell park, Southport, Queensland, is the subject of the registration application.
Under the Act, the obligations imposed on the parties include ensuring that the ship’s particulars are accurately disclosed in the notice of intention to apply for registration. The ship owner must also allow a period of thirty days for any interested parties to raise objections to the registration. If any individual or entity believes they have a legal proprietary right to the ship, they must submit objections, along with any supporting documentation, to the Registrar of Ships at either the Australian Shipping Registration Office or the Australian Maritime Safety Authority within this thirty-day period (Section 10(2)). The purpose of this provision is to provide a transparent process that allows for the resolution of any disputes regarding the ownership or registration of the vessel.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Shipping Registration Act 1981 can result in various civil or criminal consequences. Although specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the notice, Section 28 of the Act provides that any person who knowingly makes a false statement in an application for registration can be liable to a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both. Additionally, Section 29 outlines that any person who fails to comply with the notice requirements may be subject to penalties as prescribed by the regulations, which could include fines or other sanctions as determined by the relevant authorities. These provisions underscore the importance of accuracy and transparency in the registration process to maintain the integrity of the maritime regulatory framework in Australia.