Re the boat sinking off Indonesia "Responsibility for the safe operation of vessels at sea is the responsibility of the Master and the flag state. Operations are governed by regulations under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) of which Indonesia has been a signatory since 1961. The vessel in question was an Indonesian flagged vessel, departing an Indonesian port, crewed by an Indonesian crew, carrying passengers originating from Indonesia. It was in Indonesian waters! Most important IMO Conventions are:- • Flag States, in this case Indonesia, are responsible for ensuring that ships under their flag comply with its requirements: 1. International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, as amended a. The main objective of the SOLAS Convention is to specify minimum standards for the construction, equipment and operation of ships, compatible with their safety. i. Was the vessel design fit for the purpose of the journey? ii. Did it have the required safety facilities on board? iii. Did it have the required navigational aids? 2. International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto and by the Protocol of 1997( MARPOL) a. The Convention includes regulations aimed at preventing and minimizing pollution from ships - both accidental pollution and that from routine operations i. Did the vessel have any facilities to prevent pollution at sea? 3. International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers ( STCW ) as amended, including the 1995 and 2010 Manila Amendments a. The Convention prescribes minimum standards relating to training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers which countries are obliged to meet or exceed. i. Were the crew suitably trained for the journey? ii. Did the master have the required qualifications/licence? Did Indonesia ensure these standards were met? – NO! We can be sure Indonesian authorities are allowing unsuitable vessels, inadequately manned, unfit to carry passengers, without full safety and environmental equipment to depart their ports to undertake unsafe voyages in the open ocean. Contrary to Marr’s inept assertions the sole responsibility for the loss of this vessel and prior ones lies with Indonesia and no-one else. Were such vessels operating out of Australia, the Maritime Unions would, rightly, be screaming blue murder – but ALP sycophants turn a blind eye to Indonesia’s culpability and blame Australia! Australia has no authority to search for a vessel in Indonesia’s search zone without Indonesian concurrence, to do so impinges on their sovereignty. It was Indonesia’s responsibility to find the lost vessel."
Posted on: Mon, 30 Sep 2013 04:27:15 +0000
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