SEAFARERS: REFRESHER TRAINING GUIDE FOR SEAFARERS ON SHIPS IN AUSTRALIAN WATERS

In case you missed hearing about this earlier AUSMEPA is now providing its member companies and others with the Association's latest electronic publication titled ' A Refresher Training Guide for Seafarers on Ships in Australian Waters'.  It has been produced in collaboration with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA).

Australian waters cover an area of approximately 14 million squares kilometers and feature a wide variety of climatic, oceanographic and geographical characteristics. They hold a rare biodiversity of terrestrial and marine species, together with the world's largest 'living organism' - the Great Barrier Reef, our natural wonder that has been evolving for more than one million years. The Great Barrier Reef must be navigated safely with respect and care, given that Australian depends on the shipping industry for the transportation of approximately one billion tonnes of raw materials and products each year both imports and exports through our ports.

Besides outlining the requirements of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the Guide also incorporates information on relevant Australian legislation and MARPOL, requirements regarding ship tracking and reporting systems, navigation in the inner routes of the Great Barrier Reef, ballast water management, biofouling and the permissible draught of ships in Torres Strait. 

"The MARPOL Convention is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes. It is a combination of two treaties adopted in 1973 and 1978 respectively and updated by amendments through the years."  (as taken from the IMO website here)

AUSMEPA's intention is that the new Guide will also facilitate ad assist all seafarers transiting Australian waters, in their effective cooperation with AMSA for the promotion of the common goal of safe navigation and pollution prevention, especially in the sensitive marine areas of this vast continent. It is available in Chinese, English, Greek, Japanese, Russian and Ukrainian.

The refresher training package is presented to every ship calling in at an Australian port. The objective is to assist ship Masters and their crews to meet their obligations in preserving our Australian marine environment.  The refresher training package contains a short video in several languages, a guide to seafarers sailing on ships in Australian waters and a number of educational power point presentations. 

Copies of the Guide are available through AUSMEPA and AMSA.

For further information contact – info@ausmepa.org.au

www.ausmepa.org.au