Changes to operational safety requirements

These changes have been made to Marine Order 504 (Certificates of operation and operation requirements) and they follow extensive industry consultation in recent years.  

Here is a summary of these changes: 

• Crewing provisions will better align with the certificate of competency arrangements in the revised Marine Order 505 (Certificates of competency) which came into force on 1 January 2023, while the minimum crewing requirements table in Marine Order 504 has been simplified.  
• Fatigue must be adequately addressed when determining risk-based crewing levels.  
• Risk assessment (including the appropriate crewing determination) must be accessible to the master, crew and enforcement personnel.  
• The master and crew (if applicable) must be consulted on the development of the vessel's risk assessment.
• A copy of the vessel's safety management system must be kept onboard (if practical) and with onshore personnel.  
• Additional onboard training and drilling will become a requirement for emergency procedures which must be addressed in the vessel's safety management system, and associated record-keeping must be undertaken.  
• There must be clear and direct reporting pathways for the escalation of issues to the designated person, these must be understood by crew and master and incorporated into the safety management system which must be working as intended.  
• Lifejacket wear must be addressed in the vessel's risk assessment and a written procedure must be included in the safety management system. 

Over the coming months, domestic commercial vessel owners and operators are encouraged to take the time to familiarise themselves with these changes, review and reassess their safety management system, crewing determination and risk assessment to ensure they comply before 1 August 2023.  

For more information and guidance, visit our cam... hub.