Transport Operations (Marine Safety) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015

Overview

This bill rewrites parts of Queensland's marine safety laws so they fit alongside Commonwealth laws that have regulated commercial vessels since 2013. It creates a new category called 'Queensland regulated ship' to cover recreational boats and low-risk vessels like surf lifesaving craft that remain under state control, and removes Queensland rules that are now handled nationally.

Who it affects

Recreational boat owners, operators of surf lifesaving and school vessels, commercial vessel operators, marine pilots and Maritime Safety Queensland. Everyday boaters see no change in day-to-day rules, but the legal framework behind those rules is tidied up.

Key changes

• Introduces 'Queensland regulated ship' covering recreational boats, surf lifesaving craft, school-owned vessels and similar low-risk ships
• Confirms that Commonwealth law governs commercial vessel safety, registration, licensing and crew qualifications while Queensland keeps pilotage, pollution, dangerous goods, speed limits and alcohol rules
• Replaces old 'certificates of compliance' and the Queensland accreditation scheme for designers, builders and surveyors with 'survey reports' issued by competent persons
• Creates a standalone offence for marine pilots who cause a ship to be operated unsafely, with up to 500 penalty units or 1 year in prison, rising to 5000 penalty units or 2 years if death or grievous bodily harm results
• Keeps the zero blood alcohol limit for non-recreational vessels carrying, or authorised to carry, more than 12 passengers
• Abolishes Queensland boards of inquiry for marine incidents, leaving investigations to Maritime Safety Queensland and the national regulator
• Automatically converts existing commercial-ship registrations of low-risk vessels to 'other Queensland regulated ship' registrations, preserving existing conditions