The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s process to issue directions was inefficient and resulted in excessive time to issue directions allowing Portland Bay to enter Port Botany as a place of refuge. While this delay did not further prolong the emergency, such delays increase risk in time‑critical situations.
To be advised
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) advised the ATSB that it did not agree with this safety issue finding and that there were challenges with the issuing of directions in the incident involving Portland Bay. It advised that the following action has been taken since the incident:
The ATSB notes with concern that AMSA does not agree with the investigation’s finding that its process for issuing directions was inefficient. Notwithstanding this, the ATSB welcomes the safety action that it has taken, which could adequately address the safety issue when implemented in conjunction with action to address the 3 other safety issues addressed to AMSA. In this regard, the ATSB notes the National Plan review recommendation for a review of the Protection of the Sea (Powers of Intervention) Act 1981 (POI Act).
However, the ATSB considers that the issue of directions in emergencies involving casualties with potentially severe consequences under the existing framework, which include the POI Act and AMSA’s procedures, can and should be completed in a timely manner to mitigate actual and potential consequences. Therefore, the ATSB has issued the following safety recommendation to AMSA.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) takes safety action to adequately address this safety issue.
