Risk Area 1.1: Unsafe and unseaworthy vessels
Port State control (PSC) inspection data showed an increase in both deficiency and detention rates between 2022 to 2023. Total detainable deficiencies increased from 220 in 2022 to 263 in 2023. The rate of deficiencies per inspection increased from 2.58 to 2.68. Total detentions increased by 21.4% (145 to 176). The detentions as a percentage of total inspections increased from 6.0% to 6.3%.
For flag State control (FSC) inspections there was an increase in the number of detainable deficiencies between 2022 (4) to 2023 (5)1. The rate of deficiencies per inspection also increased from 2.78 to 3.92. Detentions as a percentage of total inspections increased from 3.16% to 3.80%.
Actions
AMSA will continue to focus its inspection efforts on those vessels considered as higher risk coming to Australia based on a targeting algorithm.
AMSA will focus flag State control inspections on vessels that mainly undertake international voyages.
AMSA will conduct at least 2,400 port State control inspections based on vessel priority.
| Group | Target inspection rate |
|---|---|
| Foreign flagged vessels eligible for PSC inspection | Minimum of 2400 inspections |
| Regulated Australian vessels eligible for FSC inspection | 95% |
Risk Area 1. 2: Maintenance and response – disabled vessels
There were 16 serious disablement incidents reported in 2023. Poor planned maintenance and inadequate emergency preparedness have been identified as issues.
Actions
AMSA will integrate this focus area into its annual inspection regime, with a particular focus on elements of the international Safety Management (ISM) code requirements. AMSA will also conduct safety education focusing prevention and emergency preparedness related to disabled vessels.
| Steps | Activity | Timeframe | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISM - Safety management system requirements- inspection focus on planned maintenance of critical systems (element 10), emergency preparedness response when vessel disabled (element 8), crew training and familiarisation in maintenance and response (element 6). | Inspection | Integrated with Risk Area 1 | As part of risk area 1 |
| Publish Safety Bulletin on prevention (planned maintenance) and emergency preparedness in relation to disabled vessels | Educational Information | Quarter 1 | Published as scheduled |
Risk Area 1. 3: Maintenance – watertight integrity
There has been an increase in flooding incidents in 2023 with 6 of these categorised as serious. This continues to present a high risk in Australia with potentially fatal consequences and catastrophic impact to the environment.
Actions
AMSA will focus on elements of the ISM responsibility relating to maintenance with a specific focus on watertight integrity and ingress points. Hatch covers inspection and maintenance will be specifically targeted.
| Steps | Activity | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| ISM - Safety management system requirements inspection focus; maintenance and inspections of hatch covers, watertight integrity and ingress points. | Inspection | Integrated with Risk Area 1 |
Footnotes
1 The number of Regulated Australian vessels compared to foreign flagged vessels is low and may impact the overall analysis. Refer to the Annual Inspections Report for more details.