Roads and Maritime Services compliance officers were out in force last week, inspecting a total of 510 domestic commercial vessels during a five day operation promoting safety in the commercial vessel industry.
Roads and Maritime General Manager of Industry and Environment Alex Barrell said Operation Mako 2 kicked off before sunrise on Monday 13 May and continued until sundown on Friday 17 May.
“Our primary aim is to promote safe and compliant operation of all commercial vessels on NSW waterways ensuring the safety of everyone aboard or around them,” Mr Barrell said.
“We do this by working with the operators on safe practices and legal requirements and confirming safety equipment, emergency procedures and sewage discharge practices are up to scratch.
“While there is still work to be done, overall we have found commercial vessel operators are working within safety and environmental requirements.
Mr Barrell said where non-compliance is detected Roads and Maritime makes no apologies for taking action against the minority of operators who are doing the wrong thing.
“If a vessel is not safe, we will take immediate action to ensure the vessel cannot operate until it is safe,” he said.
“Our officers can and will immediately make recommendations to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) to remove their licence to operate until any defects are made good.
“We will continue to carry out these types of operations until we are confident every commercial vessel in NSW is operating safely and complying with all regulations,” Mr Barrell said.
During the operation, NSW Maritime Compliance Officers
· provided safety advice to 448 vessels
· carried out 62 higher level inspections
· found more than 80 per cent of operators to be compliant
The operation supports the outcomes of the NSW Government’s Maritime Safety Plan 2021 to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on the state’s waterways.
For more information go to rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime
