Wireless Telegraphy Regulations (Amendment) (Provisional)

Overview

The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 1912, enacted as a provisional regulation under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905, aim to facilitate the transmission of shipping intelligence by telephone from authorised wireless stations within the Commonwealth to vessel owners or agents. This legislation was introduced to address the need for efficient communication of maritime information, particularly concerning the position of vessels at sea, which was critical for maritime safety and trade at the time. The urgency and immediate operation of these regulations were certified by the Governor-General, acting on advice from the Federal Executive Council, underscoring the importance of timely maritime communication. The regulation charges a fee of sixpence per communication to ensure the service is both accessible and financially sustainable, reflecting a policy objective to support maritime operations through effective information dissemination.

Scope and Application

The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations, as amended by the Statutory Rules 1912 No. 120, pertain specifically to the transmission of shipping intelligence by telephone. These regulations apply to information received at authorised wireless stations within the Commonwealth of Australia from vessels at sea, particularly when such information indicates the noon or midnight position of the vessels. The application of this legislation extends to all vessels at sea that transmit information to authorised wireless stations within Australia, and it is concerned with the communication of this information to the owners or agents of such vessels. The regulation is geographically limited to the Commonwealth of Australia, encompassing the national jurisdiction. The regulation imposes a fee of sixpence per communication, which is payable by the recipients of the shipping intelligence, namely the owners or agents of the vessels. This Provisional Regulation was enacted with immediate effect due to its urgency, as certified by the Governor-General, and it does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the stipulated fee. Any further extension or restriction of the application of these regulations may be made through subordinate instruments under the authority of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905.

Key Provisions

The amended Wireless Telegraphy Regulations, specifically the provision on the transmission of shipping intelligence by telephone, introduces a new requirement for the communication of vessel positions. According to the newly added Regulation (Regulation [insert specific number if available]), any information received at an authorized wireless station within the Commonwealth of Australia from vessels at sea, detailing the noon or midnight position of these vessels, must be transmitted via telephone to the vessel's owners or agents. This communication is subject to a payment of sixpence per transmission. This requirement is designed to facilitate the dissemination of crucial maritime information efficiently. The obligations under this amended Regulation are primarily directed towards the operators of wireless stations within the Commonwealth. These individuals or entities must ensure that they are authorized to receive such communications and are equipped to relay this information to the vessel's owners or agents upon request. The payment of sixpence per communication is a clear financial obligation that must be settled by the recipients of the service, thereby formalising the transactional nature of this service. The regulations do not explicitly detail offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance in the provided text. However, given the legislative context, any failure to comply with the stipulated requirements could potentially result in administrative actions or fines, as typically enforced under the overarching Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905. Although the specific penalties are not mentioned in this excerpt, it is reasonable to infer that non-compliance could attract civil or criminal sanctions as prescribed under the parent Act, which could include fines or other penalties commensurate with the severity of the breach.