The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is holding risk assessment workshops in Queensland for commercial fishers.
Commencing tomorrow, these free, in-person workshops will provide information and guidance on Marine Order 504 (Certificates of operation and operation requirements - national law) lifejacket wear requirements for risk assessments, aimed to improve safety at sea.
Acting AMSA Manager of Vessel Operations Shontelle Chamtaprieo highlights the importance of a safety management system's risk assessment incorporating lifejacket wear.
"We recognise that the risk of going overboard, and drowning, is a serious safety issue in commercial fishing," she said.
"We want to talk to commercial fishers about appropriate lifejacket wear and having an effective risk assessment because this can reduce risks to themselves and their crew."
From July 2013 to the end of 2022, there were 46 fatal drownings from domestic commercial vessels in Australia. Of these, 30 were from commercial fishing operations and most involved situations, such as a person overboard, where a lifejacket could have helped save someone's life.
Workshop attendees will learn about what to consider in their risk assessment for lifejacket wear; lifejacket options, such as manual and water activated; how to choose a lifejacket that fits and suits their fishing operation; and other safety requirements, such as planned maintenance, reporting and learning from marine incidents and managing the risk of fatigue.
Working together to determine what works best for different types of operations, they will also have the opportunity to talk about risk assessment ideas and concerns with others in the industry.
Running from 26 September to 18 December 2023, the workshops will be held in Bundaberg; Mooloolaba; Thursday Island; Karumba; Bowen; Ayr; and Townsville, and tailored to different fisheries, factoring in the different environments and equipment used.
AMSA plan for the outcomes of these workshops to be made available to other commercial operators to refer to when planning their own risk assessments.
Visit the AMSA website to find out more and register.
