AMSA to conduct new focused inspection campaign to ensure safety of navigation

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued a notice advising ship owners, operators and masters about the focused inspection campaign (FIC) on safety of navigation, which will run from August 1 to September 30, 2021.

The purpose of the FIC is to determine the following:

• the level of compliance with the safety of navigation requirements of international conventions
• the familiarity of the master and officers with their processes for ensuring safety of navigation

This FIC has been initiated by AMSA and is specific to Australia. It will apply to foreign-flagged ships and Regulated Australian Vessels (RAVs) arriving at an Australian port.

AMSA inspectors will undertake the FIC in conjunction with a normal port or flag state control inspection. Any port state control deficiencies will be reported to regional port state control databases.

AMSA encourages ship owners and masters to familiarise themselves with the requirements of SOLAS Chapter V, Australian Marine Order 27 and their safety management systems implemented onboard.

Inspectors will complete a checklist when conducting focused inspections so that AMSA can collate and report on the outcomes.

The results of the FIC will be analysed at the conclusion of the campaign, and a report will be published on the AMSA website.

AMSA’s website provides information on the FIC and a checklist of requirements that will be used during this FIC.