From 1st July 2003, the Australian Immigration Authorities have enacted legislation that requires all personnel onboard non-military ships to have their civil passports. This legislation though it came in force in the year 2003 was not being enforced till 1st July 2004. The penalties stipulated are A$5,000 per crew member without the appropriate documentation. An extract of the DIMIA requirements is as follows:
Once a stowaway is found on board any ship the Club recommends that the Member reports the discovery to the Club as soon as possible. This will allow a plan of action to be agreed and a local P&I correspondent to be appointed to assist as appropriate.
Further to LP Bulletin 372 which advised that as of 13th August 2004 the USCG had began enforcing the US ballast water management regulations, we have been advised further that effective from the 27th September 2004 the USCG will require mandatory ballast water management practices for all ships equipped with ballast water tanks bound for ports, or places, within the US or entering US waters.
We have been advised that from 1st July 2004 the transitional period of the requirement for all crew of non-military ships entering Australian waters to carry a passport and identity document for presentation at immigration clearance ends.
TB13 - GMDSS VHF units
11/07/2004
We have been advised that from 13th August 2004, the USCG will begin enforcing US ballast water management regulations. The master, owner, operator or person-in-charge of any ship equipped with ballast water tanks that is bound for ports or places in US waters must ensure that complete and accurate Ballast Water Management (BWM) reports are submitted in accordance with 33 CFR 151.2041, and signed BWM records are kept on board the ship for a minimum of two years in accordance with 33 CFR 151.2045.
Further to LP Bulletin 141 that gave details of preventative measures to assist ship operators and their masters in reducing cases of stowaways, we have been advised of several cases concerning stowaways hiding in ship's rudder housing, specifically with ships coming from African ports in ballast to load sugar in Brazil.
TB12 - SCBA Maintenance
26/05/2004
Advises the areas that should be subjected to routine maintenance and testing e.g. whistle warning units and maintenance of masks.
The amounts of compensation for maritime claims for loss of life or personal injury, and property claims, have significantly increased from 13th May 2004 following the accession of Malta to the 1996 Protocol to the '1976 Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC)'.
364 - 05/04 - Restrictions on Discharge of 'Domestic Ballast Water' - Victoria - Australia
30/04/2004
We have been advised that from 1st July 2004 all ships that enter Victorian waters will be subject to a new ballast water management policy in respect of 'domestic ballast water'.
TB11 - SCBA Connections
05/04/2004
SCBA are an integral piece of fire fighting / life saving equipment. Here the importance of these units being maintained to the highest possible standard is stressed.
We have been advised of a several cases where the Georgian Authorities have imposed fines on ships found to be in breach of Georgian Maritime regulations. These fines are for such offences as illegal fishing, smuggling and entering territorial waters in front of Abkhazia without permission. In one such case a ship, during an emergency drill, lowered its lifeboat and was fined US$95,000 by the Georgian Authority for infringing the regulations.
358 - 04/04 - Revised Fines due to Non-Declaration of Bunkers and Ship's Stores - Argentina
31/03/2004
Further to LP Bulletin 178 which warned of fines due to non-declaration of bunkers in Argentina, we would like to advise that similar incidents have occurred because of the non-declaration of paints, chemicals for cleaning purposes and spare parts.