What happens with an AMSA vessel inspection?
Marine inspectors perform inspections on behalf of AMSA – both planned and unscheduled – checking as to whether the vessel meets requirements to ensure safety of persons, the vessel and the environment.
The marine safety inspector aims to complete the inspection in a timely manner with minimal disruption to your operation as can reasonably be expected.
This short video explains some of the process and expectations.
To assist, a vessel owner should be ready with:
- A safe means of access that allows three points of contact while boarding and disembarking,
- Your vessel safety management system and evidence to show how you have implemented that SMS on your vessel,
- All relevant documentation readily available, including your Certificate of Operation, Certificate of Survey, your master and crew tickets and any exemptions relevant to your vessel.
- All required firefighting, lifesaving and on-board equipment is on-board and working – if not, then at least marked appropriately and demonstrate plans are in place to repair/replace the equipment.
Before the start of an inspection, the marine safety inspector will give you a letter indicating that your vessel will be inspected and clearly explain the scope of the inspection and any equipment that may need to be operationally tested.
While on your vessel, they will check for compliance against legislated requirements and may use a checklist to inspect areas or items such as documentation and certificates, your safety management system, safety equipment and the overall condition of the vessel. During the inspection, marine safety inspectors may take notes, photographs or videos as necessary.
You will be provided with a report at the time of inspection or be sent a copy within five business days and this is a record of the inspection containing details of the inspector’s findings and recommendations.
To ensure the consistency, transparency, accountability, impartiality and fairness in decision-making, all decisions and the reasoning behind these decisions will be explained at the end of the inspection.
If non-compliance was found during inspection, the marine safety inspector may use a range of actions to address them depending on the circumstances. Actions are proportionate with the associated risk identified and include (in order of severity):
- engagement and education
- advice and warnings
- direction notices
- improvement notices
- prohibition notices
- detention
Should you have feedback or concerns relating to the conduct of an inspection, the letter given at the start of the inspection provides information on how to contact AMSA.