Under the MLC, vessel owners and operators must meet minimum standards for seafarers’ living and working conditions, including requirements relating to hours of work and rest. AMSA said accurate records are essential to demonstrate minimum rest requirements are being met and fatigue is being effectively managed.
Greg Witherall, AMSA Executive Director Maritime Safety and Environmental Compliance, said deliberately falsifying records designed to protect seafarers was unacceptable and presented a significant risk to the safety of crew on board and protection of Australia’s marine environments.
“Evidence has shown poor fatigue management can impair judgement, reduce alertness and slow reaction times, increasing the likelihood of errors during navigation, watchkeeping and other critical tasks,” said Mr Witherall. “The consequences can include collisions, groundings and serious injuries, putting lives and the marine environment in danger.
“Operators have clear obligations under the MLC. Where we find serious or repeated failures to meet those obligations, AMSA will take strong action to protect seafarers and the environment and uphold internationally-agreed standards.”
AMSA issued the 90 days ban under section 246 of the Navigation Act 2012, based on the deliberate falsification, the recurrence of materially similar deficiencies and concerns about the effectiveness of the owner and operator’s safety management arrangements.
