What YOU need to know….. changes from 1st July 2025!
Just in case you weren’t aware – AMSA has locked in the changes to Marine Order 504 (MO504) which come into effect on the 1st of July 2025, which will come sooner than you think!
The changes are significant and impact ALL current SMS’s to some degree. The changes include a major change to the format of SMS’s and the inclusion of a Fatigue Risk Management Plan (FRMP).
If Shorlink has developed your SMS then the changes, excluding the FRMP are in your existing SMS. This again demonstrates that Shorlink is the leader in safety management and SMS development!
While all of the information is in your current SMS (excluding the FRMP) we recommend that within the next 12 months, you update your SMS/s to the new format to ensure compliancy. If you engage Shorlink to complete the update, we will automatically include a FRMP.
Should you decide you don’t want to upgrade your SMS and just need a FRMP let us know and we can put one together for you.
By updating your SMS it not only will comply with the new revised MO504, but also demonstrate your commitment to safety and assurance to meeting all of AMSA’s current requirements. It also makes it easier when undergoing an AMSA inspection, as auditing will be easier and quicker. The revised MO504 now mentions Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation – as we’ve always said, your SMS not only has to tick the AMSA box but must comply with WHS laws as well!
There are a lot of companies out there writing/selling SMS Manuals (some good, some not so good and some downright terrible) and we appreciate the competition, as it’s good for the marketplace. However, Shorlink’s point of difference has always been our sole focus on marine safety and ensuring your SMS is vessel and operation specific and compliant, meeting the requirements of AMSA, WHS and the NSCV from the time we deliver it!
If you are an existing Shorlink Managed Services client, your SMS’s will automatically be revised in the near future and you’ll receive a generous discount updating to the new format. Another good reason to be a managed services client!
Most importantly, we are proud that we have implemented FRMP’s on a number of our client’s vessels already and these have been viewed by AMSA and were accepted so we know our FRMP’s meet the requirements.
We do recommend updating your existing SMS to the new MO504 format no matter who developed it within the next 12 months. If your current SMS does not have all the necessary components of the new MO504 you need to include them. Remember the new MO504 comes in on July 1st 2025!
Before engaging anyone to develop an SMS for you make sure they can deliver an SMS that meets all the requirements of MO504, Work Health and Safety and the NSCV. Our best tip is to ensure whoever you get to develop your SMS can deliver a compliant one straight up.
If you are unsure about any of the above, please feel free to contact our office to discuss further, or you may drop us an Email and we can advise from there.
