Australia

ATSB - Confidential Marine Reporting System

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has started a Confidential Marine Reporting Scheme (CMRS) under the Navigation (CMRS) Regulations 2004 since 20th May 2004. The aim of this scheme is to prevent or reduce the risk of marine accidents.

It is hoped that the CMRS could enhance safety at sea and protection of the marine environment by:

1. Providing information on problems of a particular ship or on unsafe company practices;
2. Supplementing the work of port state control authorities; and
3. Enabling safety authorities to develop appropriate education programmes for the entire industry.

The scheme is administered by the Executive Director of the ATSB whose powers and functions are contained in the regulations.

The regulations apply to marine activities associated with the operation or safety of a ship to which the Navigation Act 1912 applies and contain details of matters which may be reported under the CMRS including:

1. A procedure or practice that would endanger the safety of the ship or a person, such as unsafe navigation;
2. Defective life saving or fire fighting equipment
3. Extreme corrosion of the hull;
4. Crew schedules resulting in fatigue;
5. Unreported accidents and near misses.

While anonymous reports will generally not be accepted, all reports will be processed in such a manner that the identities of reporters will be kept confidential. Reports may be made online , by telephone, email, or fax by downloading the confidential marine reporting form .

The ATSB will publish reviews of information from confidential reports. Guidelines for submission of the form may be obtained at CMRS reporting guidelines .