Foreign ships
Regulated foreign ships are ships registered in a country other than Australia.
A regulated foreign ship is a ship that is in Australian waters or is in, or is intending to proceed to, a port in Australia.
Regulated foreign ships include, but are not limited to, a:
- passenger ship
- cargo ship of 500 gross tonnage or more
- mobile offshore drilling unit.
Pre-arrival information
The master of a regulated foreign ship, or a ship intending to enter Australia, must provide pre-arrival information in accordance with the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Regulations 2003. Pre-arrival information includes but is not limited to:
- the maritime security level the ship is operating at
- confirmation that onboard the ship there is:
- a valid International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) or an approved equivalent, or
- an ISSC exemption.
Declaration of security
A regulated foreign ship may be required to provide or agree to a declaration of security with a:
- port operator
- port facility operator
- offshore facility operator
- another party (a ship or person).
A declaration of security identifies security activities and responsibilities for security measures that each party will undertake or implement in specified circumstances.
Regulated foreign ships who berth at Australian security regulated ports must comply with the in-force maritime security level and any other security directions provided.
Inspections
The master of a regulated foreign ship must also allow a maritime security inspector to board and inspect the ship. This can happen at any time without notice if the ship is within the boundaries of a security regulated port.
