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Compulsory Pilotage
TORRES STRAIT & GREAT NORTH EAST CHANNEL IMO Resolution MEPC.135(53) has adopted the designation of Torres Strait as an extension of the GBR and defines the PSSA in the Great North East Channel (GNEC) to include the area to Bramble Cay. Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels more than 70 metres and all loaded oil, gas or chemical tankers through the Torres Strait effective from 6 October 2006. Vessels transiting the GNEC should order their pilot at Dalrymple Island (near Bramble Cay) PBG latitude 09’34S, longitude 143’24E Under Australian Marine Notice 08/2006 vessels with a draft in excess of 8.0M are required to engage a pilot for Torres Strait to / from the Booby Island PBG latitude 10’36S, longitude 141’50E. Pilots are boarded by launch at the Dalrymple Island
& Booby Island PBGs. Having achieved the international recognition of the sensitivity of the Great Barrier Reef, the Australian Government enacted legislation requiring all vessels of 70 metres or more in length, and all loaded tankers, chemical carriers and liquefied gas carriers, regardless of length, to carry a pilot when taking passage through the inner route of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) between Cape York (latitude 10 41'S) and the vicinity of Cairns Roads (latitude 16 40'S) or when transiting Hydrographers Passage. This legislation came into force on 1 October 1991. A shipowner may apply to the Minister for the Environment, Sport and Territories for a ship to be exempted from the requirement to carry a pilot. To grant an exemption the minister would need to be convinced that the absence of a duly licensed pilot would not increase the danger to the Great Barrier Reef. Full details of the information required in an application for exemption are contained in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations (Amendment) - Statutory Rules 191 No. 296 - Part 4A specifically, in regulation 26A. Copies of the Regulations may be obtained from Commonwealth Government bookshops in all capital cities and in Townsville, Queensland.
It is an offence for a ship of the size and type specified to navigate without a pilot in the compulsory areas, the Master and Owner each being liable for a fine of AUS$100,000. It is also an offence, with similar liabilities and penalties, for a vessel to enter an Australian port having previously navigated without a pilot through the compulsory area. Click here to view/download Compulsory Pilotage documentation
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COMPULSORY
PILOTAGE LEGISLATION
