Applicability: All shipowners and operators
Recent analysis of Australian port state control (PSC) deficiencies has revealed several detentions due to incorrect use of charts. The Australian Maritime Safety Agency (AMSA) has also reported an apparent increase in the use of unofficial charts, with instances of ships using scanned and printed charts to navigate through environmentally critical areas such as the Great Barrier Reef.
AMSA continues to remind masters and operators of ships coming to Australia that carriage of appropriate navigational charts is critical to safe operations and protection of the marine environment.
What to do now
This issue affects all ships, not just those trading to Australia. Therefore, all owners and operators should ensure that charts and nautical publications are always correct and up-to-date for the present and the next intended voyage.
For further information
Speak to one of our experts at your local Lloyd's Register office.