Understanding Biosecurity requirements for Vessels visiting Australian Ports.

Every commercial & Noncommercial vessel calling Australian ports are always subject to Australian Biosecurity compliance and Inspection requirements.

The Australian Bio security requirement compliance in managed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and forestry of the Australian Government.

The biosecurity risks are managed to ensure international vessels arriving in Australian territory comply with International Health Regulations (IHR) and manage biosecurity risks for arrival.

Biosecurity risk of vessels is managed through pre-arrival reporting, assessment and inspection of international vessels arriving in Australia. For the entire time the vessel is in Australian waters, vessels must report:

• the human health of travelers
• crew changes
• animals on board
• hitchhiking animals and birds
• plant and insect pests
• ballast water and biofouling.

Some of the topics related to prearrival vessel preparedness & reporting requirements are-

·?Vessel operators & shipping agents’ responsibility regarding reporting (pre arrival, while in port & while in Australian waters)

·?Commercial vessel Bio security reporting using the online platform MARS (Maritime and Aircraft reporting system). It is worthwhile to note that for Non-commercial vessels (example Yachts) entering Australia a separate ?alternate reporting system is used called PAR(Pre Arrival reporting) system

·?Understanding the approved list of First point of entry (FPOE seaport) & non first point of entry seaport & the reporting obligations.

·?Vessel compliance scheme (VCS) for commercial vessels (Aimed at reducing the frequency of Bio security inspection for vessels engaged in frequent voyage to Australian ports from overseas)

·?Release from Bio security control (Vessels having extended period of operation in Australian waters only may be deemed as low risk & exempted from the requirements of regular Bio security inspection)

·?Understanding the Bio security inspection demerit point system & the potential impact of demerit points on vessel operation

·??Understanding the various guidelines for identifying potential Bio security hazards onboard ships & their proactive reporting.

?Detailed explanation regarding the above topics is provided in the website of the DAFF and would be a very helpful in developing a good understanding.

Once the vessel does arrive in a First point of Entry (FPOE sea port), the vessel is subject to inspection by Bio security officer. I will try to highlight some important pointers which are checked during the inspection.

1.?Proper reporting of any health issues faced by any crew member & actions taken regarding the same (documented evidence to be presented to the bio security officer)

2.?Any migratory birds to be removed from ship prior entry into Australian waters.

3.?Any Insects/Pest infestations to be cleared & necessary preventive measured taken.

4.?Any pets present onboard to be kept in confined area.

5.?Any plants present onboard to be kept indoor.

6. The garbage to be kept well segregated, inside bins with fitted lids and free from insects.

7. The Galley area to be kept clean, all food to be stored in closed containers & free from insect(Water collected in open containers are considered a breeding ground for insects/pests & should be avoided)

8.?The food stored in Refer rooms should be well segregated & be stored in proper temperature (no decomposed food, fruit or vegetable to be present). As a standard practice the Bio security officer would seal the refer room containing fresh fruits and vegetables & this compartment can be opened only the vessel departs Australian waters.

9.?The Accommodation & deck area to be kept clear of any food/Grains etc. In some cases, small quantity of grains presents on deck (which was carried as cargo during previous voyage has led to demerit points for the vessel). Hence it is very important to thoroughly inspect the deck area.

10. Control of Bio fouling is another important aspect of Inspection. some of the important points are

·??An approved bio fouling management plant to be present onboard outlining the niche areas of the vessel, operating profile of the vessel, bio fouling management & inspection procedures and records.

·? Evidence of the Anti-fouling paint applied of the hull & the statement of service life of the Antifouling paint (provided by the paint Manufacturer)

·??In case the vessel does not have an approved biofouling management plan, it will be necessary to undergo a underwater inspection & cleaning of the vessel hull & niche areas prior entering Australian waters.

11.? Inspection of Ballast water related documents are an important part of the inspection process, some vital points are-

·?Approved Ballast water management plan present onboard, outlining the detailed procedure of ballasting & de-ballasting while using D2 standard & also the backup D1 standard (in case of failure of Ballast water treatment system).

·?Ballast water record book properly filled in (Missing, incorrect or incomplete data entry) can trigger further investigation from the attending officer.

·?Proper operation of Ballast water treatment system (Data entry into ballast water record book is sometimes crosschecked with the data logged in the BWTS plant)

Comprehensive understanding of the Bio security requirements coupled with preparation prior entry into Australian waters will go a long way in successfully undergoing Bio security inspection in Australian port.