Every Passenger Counts! Are YOU up to date!
It’s interesting to note that some operators either did not know or failed to take the appropriate actions including updating their Safety Management System (SMS) in relation to AMSA changes.
AMSA announced an amendment to Marine Order 504 in relation to vessels carrying passengers that commenced in May 2020.
The changes!
For Class 1 and Class 2 vessels that are permitted to carry passengers you will be required to have an effective and verifiable means of passenger monitoring to ensure the master is able to find out the number of passengers onboard at any time.
You will be required to undertake a passenger count at the time of embarkation and disembarking for vessels that are:
- a Class 2 vessel permitted to carry passengers or a Class 1 vessel that is permitted to carry no more than 75 passengers; and
- is on a voyage of at least 30 minutes and no more than 12 hours scheduled duration and the vessel is not scheduled to stop for embarkation or disembarkation in the first 30 minutes; and
- is operating in B, C or D waters at any time or E waters outside of daylight hours.
For operators who transport passengers to a water-based activity the passenger count:
- must include an additional count before the vessel departs from the site; and
- is not required to be conducted when a vessel is stopped for a water-based activity and a passenger enters or leaves:
- the water; or
- another vessel used in conjunction with the activity
This means if you’re operating a ferry service or water taxi which has voyages of less than 30 minutes this amendment does not apply.
For most operators who carry passengers on voyages of 30 minutes or more and less than 12 hours you will need to update your Safety Management System (SMS) to incorporate the changes.
The flowchart below will assist in determining what vessel is required to do in relation to passenger monitoring and counts:
Remember: Every passenger counts!
Current regulation is in place to improve passenger safety on domestic commercial vessels. These measures were made in response to fatal and serious non-fatal incidents involving passengers falling overboard.
There are severe penalties that align with the irresponsibility to always ensure the safety of your passengers.
It is equally important that the crew are made aware of their responsibilities, actions, procedures, and consequences. If in doubt, arrange an immediate training session with your crew and make sure these are ‘real’ sessions, out on the water, with every member of the crew.
Shorlink’s Recommendation
If you operate a passenger carrying vessel as identified above and you haven’t implemented these procedures or updated your SMS to incorporate them we strongly recommend you take action now.
A failure to implement these procedures and/or update your SMS accordingly may attract a severe penalty and in the event of an incident you can end up facing serious legal actions.
Don’t wait! As we have seen with our clients, AMSA have been and will be extremely active this year with vessel and SMS inspections. Ensure you stay up-to-date of the requirements. This will demonstrate that you are generating a culture of compliance within your business!
As mentioned above, training is key! We have seen so may times crew and other passengers alike, panic, when someone falls overboard. Training with your crew with alleviate the unnecessary panic reaction and replace with a calm and educated response. This will save lives and provide confidence for your crew and passengers.
Tip
If you’re having trouble working out what’s required or how to incorporate the changes into your SMS then give us a call and we’ll help get you compliant with the changes.
Shorlink offer ‘Onboard’ Safety training courses for both commercial and reactional operators that include ‘real’ person overboard demonstrations, as well as learning and understanding of your vessel, its equipment and emergency response scenarios including fire, person overboard, collision and more! Click Here for more details!
