Marine Safety Act 2013

NORFOLK ISLAND
Marine Safety Act 2013

No. 5, 2013
Compilation No. 3
Compilation date: 1 December 2016
Includes amendments up to: Norfolk Island Continued Laws Ordinance 2015

(No. 2, 2015)
Prepared by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, Canberra

NORFOLK ISLAND
MARINE SAFETY ACT 2013

[NB: Sections 2538 and 4458 have not yet commenced]
Contents
PART 1 PRELIMINARY 1
1. Name of Act ..................................................................................................................... 1
2. Commencement ............................................................................................................... 1
3. Objects of Act .................................................................................................................. 1
4. Definitions ........................................................................................................................ 1
5. Meaning of vessel ......................................................................................................... 3
6. Meaning of vessel connected with Norfolk Island ....................................................... 3
7. Meaning of owner of vessel and owner of marine activity .................................... 4
8. Vessels and waters to which Act applies .......................................................................... 4
9. Act does not apply to Defence Force vessels ................................................................... 4
PART 2 SAFETY OF NAVIGATION 5

10. Regulations for prevention of collisions at sea or in other navigable waters ................... 5
11. Speed limits, no wash zones and other restrictions on the operation of vessels in
navigable waters by display of notice .............................................................................. 5
12. Reckless, negligent, dangerous navigation ....................................................................... 5
13. Unreasonable interference by operation or use of vessel ................................................. 6
14. Protection of navigation aids ............................................................................................ 6
15. Removal of obstructions in navigable waters ................................................................... 6
16. Regulation of aquatic activities in navigable waters ........................................................ 7
17. Regulations relating to safety of navigation ..................................................................... 7
PART 3 BOATING SAFETY ALCOHOL AND DRUGS 8

18. Definitions ........................................................................................................................ 8
19. Application of Part ........................................................................................................... 8
20. Prescribed concentrations of alcohol ................................................................................ 8
21. Operating vessel under influence of alcohol or other drug .............................................. 9
22. Operating vessel or supervising juvenile with prescribed concentration of alcohol in
blood ................................................................................................................................ 9
23. Double jeopardy ............................................................................................................. 10
24. Breath analysis and other related provisions .................................................................. 10
PART 4 MARINE CERTIFICATES 11
Division 1 General 11
25. Types of marine certificates ........................................................................................... 11
Division 2 Grant of marine certificates and related matters 11

26. The Marine Registrar and Deputy Marine Registrar ...................................................... 11
27. Grant of certificates and conditions ............................................................................... 12
28. Offence to contravene conditions of certificate.............................................................. 12
29. Duration of certificate .................................................................................................... 12
30. Fees for certificates ........................................................................................................ 12
31. Offences ......................................................................................................................... 12
32. Regulations relating to certificates ................................................................................. 13
Division 3 Suspension or cancellation of marine certificates 13

33. Suspension or cancellation of certificates by Minister ................................................... 13
ii
34. Suspension or cancellation of certificates by court in connection with offence ............. 14

35. Return of suspended or cancelled certificate .................................................................. 14
Division 4 Review by Administrative Appeals Tribunal 14

36. Definition of Tribunal ................................................................................................. 14
37. Rights of review ............................................................................................................. 14
38. Failure to make decision ................................................................................................ 14
PART 5 REQUIREMENTS FOR VESSELS 15
Division 1 Unsafe vessels 15

39. Definition of unsafe vessel ......................................................................................... 15
40. Owner or master not to operate unsafe vessel ................................................................ 15
41. Detention of unsafe vessels ............................................................................................ 15
42. Operating detained vessel .............................................................................................. 16
43. Costs of detention ........................................................................................................... 16
Division 2 Vessel registration 16

44. Vessels requiring registration ......................................................................................... 16
45. Vessels exempt from registration ................................................................................... 17
46. Offence to operate unregistered vessel ........................................................................... 17
47. Additional grounds for refusal, suspension or cancellation of registration .................... 17
Division 3 Seaworthy certificates for commercial vessels 17

48. Offence to operate commercial vessel without seaworthy certificate ............................ 17
49. Grant of seaworthy certificate and seaworthy schedule for commercial vessels ........... 18
Division 4 Boat driving licences for power-driven recreational vessels 18

50. Vessels to which division applies................................................................................... 18
51. Offence to operate recreational vessel without boat driving licence .............................. 18
52. Exemption from requirement to hold boat driving licence ............................................. 18
Division 5 Miscellaneous provisions relating to vessels 19

53. Recognised marine certificates....................................................................................... 19
54. Mutual recognition of marine certificates ...................................................................... 19
55. Regulation of marine safety equipment or facilities for recreational or other vessels .... 19
56. Regulation of design and construction of recreational vessels ....................................... 19
57. Regulation of passengers ................................................................................................ 19
58. Vessel identification, etc ................................................................................................ 20
PART 6 MARINE INVESTIGATION AND ENFORCEMENT 20
Division 1 Preliminary 20
59. Definitions ...................................................................................................................... 20
60. Application ..................................................................................................................... 21
61. Appointment of authorised officers (other than ex-officio authorised officers) ............. 21
62. Identity cards for authorised officers.............................................................................. 21
Division 2 Duties of masters and owners in case of marine accidents 21

63. Requirements of masters in case of accident involving vessels ..................................... 21
64. Duty to report marine accidents, etc ............................................................................... 22
65. Marine accident particulars ............................................................................................ 22
66. Preservation of evidence ................................................................................................ 22
67. Offence ........................................................................................................................... 22
Division 3 Investigation of marine accidents and other marine safety matters 23

68. Ordering of investigation ............................................................................................... 23
iii
69. Principal purposes of investigation ................................................................................ 23

70. Appointment of investigator........................................................................................... 23
71. Powers of investigator .................................................................................................... 23
72. Conduct of investigations ............................................................................................... 24
73. Report to Minister of investigation ................................................................................ 24
74. Representations by persons affected by report ............................................................... 24
75. Suspension of marine certificate pending investigation ................................................. 25
76. Action by Minister following report of investigation ..................................................... 25
77. Public release of report................................................................................................... 25
78. Protection from liability ................................................................................................. 26
Division 4 - Investigative powers of authorised officers 26

79. Application of Division .................................................................................................. 26
80. Power to stop and board vessels ..................................................................................... 26
81. Other powers of entry..................................................................................................... 27
82. General investigative powers ......................................................................................... 27
83. Detention of vessel for purposes of investigation .......................................................... 27
84. Production of marine certificates ................................................................................... 28
85. Identification of person suspected of committing offence ............................................. 28
86. Identification of owner and master of vessel .................................................................. 28
87. Power to require persons to attend to answer questions or produce documents or other
things .............................................................................................................................. 28
88. [omitted]. .................................................................................................................... 28
89. General provisions relating to functions under this division .......................................... 29
90. Offences ......................................................................................................................... 29
PART 7 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 29

91. Penalty notices ............................................................................................................... 29
92. Summary proceedings for offences ................................................................................ 30
93. Time within which proceedings may be commenced .................................................... 30
94. Offences by corporations ............................................................................................... 30
95. Proof of lawful or reasonable excuse ............................................................................. 30
96. Proof of certain matters not required .............................................................................. 30
97. Service of instruments (except in proceedings for offences) ......................................... 31
98. Service of summons and other process in legal proceedings ......................................... 31
PART 8 SEARCH AND RESCUE 32

99. Control and management of search and rescue operations ............................................. 32
100. Payments in respect of losses, etc, incurred in certain operations .................................. 32
101. Recovery of cost of certain operations ........................................................................... 33
PART 9 NORFOLK ISLAND MARINE AND HARBOUR AUTHORITY

(NIMAHA) AND HARBOUR MASTER 33
102. Norfolk Island Marine and Harbour Authority .............................................................. 33
103. Objects of the Authority ................................................................................................. 33
104. The Authority ................................................................................................................. 34
105. Meetings and quorum ..................................................................................................... 34
106. Harbour Master .............................................................................................................. 34
107. Recommendation of the Authority ................................................................................. 35
PART 10 MISCELLANEOUS 35
108. Delegation by Minister ................................................................................................... 35
109. Act binds Crown ............................................................................................................ 35
110. Rules .............................................................................................................................. 35
111. Regulations..................................................................................................................... 36
112. Adoption of standards and other documents .................................................................. 36
iv
113. Exemptions.................................................................................................................... 36
114. Review of Act ................................................................................................................ 37
SCHEDULE 1 POWERS OF AUTHORISED OFFICERS 37

1. Powers of authorised officers ......................................................................................... 37
2. Identification of offender ............................................................................................... 38
SCHEDULE 2 AMENDMENT OF THE CORONERS ACT 1993 38

NORFOLK ISLAND
MARINE SAFETY ACT 2013
An Act to provide for the safety and regulation of marine navigation and marine
activities, the establishment of a Marine and Harbour Authority, to clarify and
confirm responsibility for search and rescue operations and for related purposes.
BE IT ENACTED by the Legislative Assembly of Norfolk Island as follows
Part 1 Preliminary
1. Name of Act
This Act is the Marine Safety Act 2013.
2. Commencement
(1) This Act other than Part 4 and divisions 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Part 5 commence on
the day notice of assent is published in the Gazette.
(2) Part 4 and divisions 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Part 5 shall commence on a day or days
fixed by the Administrator by notice in the Gazette.
3. Objects of Act
(1) The objects of this Act are as follows
(a) to ensure the safe operation of vessels operating from, and in the seas
adjoining, Norfolk Island;
(b) to promote the responsible operation of vessels so as to protect the safety
and amenity of other users and the amenity of occupiers of adjoining land;
(c) to ensure the safe operation of marine activities;
(d) to provide for the investigation of marine accidents and for appropriate
action following any such investigation; and
(e) to provide for the investigation by the Coroner of deaths at sea.
(2) To give effect to paragraph (1)(e), the Coroners Act 1993 is amended as
provided in Schedule 2.
4. Definitions
(1) In this Act
Authorised officer means
(a) a police officer; or
(b) the Harbour Master;
(c) the Collector of Customs and an officer appointed under the Customs Act
1913;
(e) a person (or a person of a class) appointed as an authorised officer under
section 61.
2013 Marine Safety 2
Authority means the Norfolk Island Marine and Harbour Authority established in
Part 9.
commercial vessel means any vessel used or intended to be used for or in
connection with any business or commercial activity, including a fishing vessel,
and includes (but is not limited to) a vessel used or intended to be used wholly or
principally for
(a) carrying passengers or cargo for hire or reward, whether within or outside
Norfolk Island waters or in the course of overseas voyages, or
(b) providing services to vessels for reward.
crew of a vessel means the persons (including the master of the vessel) whose
duty it is to navigate or work the vessel or to carry out other operations on the
vessel.
Crown Counsel means the legal practitioner holding from time to time the
position of Crown Counsel in the service of the Administration of Norfolk Island
and includes a legal practitioner holding the position of deputy or assistant to the
Crown Counsel or who is the delegate of the Crown Counsel or is acting in his or
her stead.
exercise a function includes perform a duty.
fishing vessel means a vessel used or intended to be used for catching fish,
crustaceans, or other living resources of the sea or seabed for profit or reward.
function includes a power, authority or duty.
Harbour Master means the person appointed under section 106.
marine activity means an activity carried on for commercial purposes that may or
may not involve the use or utilisation of a vessel and includes
(a) underwater diving equipment;
(b) submerged or partially submerged structures;
(c) underwater cages intended for the protection of persons in water (whether
or not open on any side or sides);
(d) any activity connected with the sea declared by regulation to be a marine
activity.
marine search and rescue operation means an operation that is carried out with
a view to effecting any of the purposes referred to in section 71.
master of a vessel means the person having the command or charge of the vessel.
Minister means (unless the context otherwise requires) any Norfolk Island
Minister appointed under the Norfolk Island Act 1979 (Cth) for the time being
with responsibility for this Act or any delegate thereof.
navigable waters means all waters within the territory of Norfolk Island that are
from time to time capable of navigation by a vessel (including something declared
not to be a vessel) and are open to or used by the public for navigation or the
carrying out of marine activities or both.
Navigation aid means any device used for the safety of navigation (such as a
beacon, buoy or marine mark), but does not include a device on board a vessel.
Norfolk Island Marine and Harbour Authoritysee Part 9.
operate a vessel includes
(a) to determine or exercise control over the course or direction of the vessel
or over the means of propulsion of the vessel (whether or not the vessel is
underway); and
(b) to pilot the vessel; and

(c) in the case of the owner of the vessel, to cause or allow the vessel to be
operated by someone else.
Norfolk Island waters means any navigable waters within the limits of the
territory of Norfolk Island as defined in Schedule 1 of the Norfolk Island Act
1979.
officer in charge means the person from time to time in charge of the Norfolk
Island Police.
overseas voyage means a voyage that has as its intent a voyage from Norfolk
Island to any other place.
owner of a vessel is defined in section 7.
personal water craft or PWC is a vessel propelled by an inboard motor
powering a water jet pump. The operator sits, stands or kneels on the vessel and
uses handle bars to steer the craft.
port includes any of the following waters (or any part of those waters)
(a) any harbour or haven, whether natural or artificial;
(b) any navigable water in which vessels may lie for shelter or for the transfer
of cargo or passengers.
recreational vessel means a vessel other than a commercial vessel that is used, or
is intended to be used, wholly for recreational or sporting activities (whether or
not let, or intended to be let, for hire or reward or consideration of any kind).
Registrar means the Marine Registrar established by section 26.
sailboard includes small floating devices usually controlled and operated by one
person and powered by a sail attached to the board or by a kite or similar device
attached to the person controlling the board;
Example: wind surfer, wave jumper, kite surfer.
(2) For the purposes of this Act, a vessel is taken to be proceeding on a
voyage from when it gets underway for the voyage until it gets underway for another
voyage.
(3) Notes in the text of this Act do not form part of this Act.
5. Meaning of vessel
(1) In this Act, vessel includes water craft of any description used or capable
of being used as a means of transportation on or beneath the surface of water.
(2) Without limiting the above, a vessel includes
(a) any non-displacement craft; and
(b) a seaplane, but only while it is on water.
(3) However, a vessel does not include anything declared by the regulations
not to be a vessel and includes anything used on water that is declared by the
regulations to be a vessel.
Notea non-displacement craft refers to such vessels as air-cushion vessels known as
hovercraft and hydrofoils.
6. Meaning of vessel connected with Norfolk Island

A vessel is connected with Norfolk Island for the purposes of this Act if
(a) the vessel is owned by a person who is ordinarily resident in Norfolk
Island; or
(b) the vessel is owned by a person whose place of business, or principal place
of business, is in Norfolk Island; or
(c) the vessel is owned by a person whose principal place of business for
managing the vessels operation is in Norfolk Island; or
(d) the vessel is declared by the Regulations to be a vessel connected with
Norfolk Island.
7. Meaning of owner of vessel and owner of marine activity

(1) In this Act, owner of a vessel or of a marine activity means (subject to this
section) the person who owns
(a) the vessel; or
(b) the business of the marine activity or the property or services used in their
provision for the marine activity.
(2) A reference in this Act to the owner of a vessel includes a reference to a
person who is the charterer of the vessel.
(3) A reference in this Act to the owner of a vessel or of a marine activity
includes a reference to a joint owner of the vessel or of the marine activity.
(4) A reference in this Act to the owner of a vessel or of a marine activity
includes a reference to any person who, whether on the persons own behalf or on
behalf of another
(a) exercises any of the functions of the owner of the vessel or of the marine
activity; or
(b) publicly represents that the person has those functions or accepts the
obligation to exercise those functions.
(5) For the purposes of this Act, a person does not cease to be an owner of a
vessel because the vessel is mortgaged, chartered, leased or hired.
8. Vessels and waters to which Act applies

(1) This Act applies to and in respect of the following vessels (and their
owners, masters, crew and passengers)
(a) all vessels that are in Norfolk Island waters (including vessels proceeding
on overseas voyages);
(b) all vessels that are proceeding on voyages other than overseas voyages
(including vessels that have left Norfolk Island waters);
(c) all vessels connected with Norfolk Island, wherever they may be.
(2) This section is subject to any express provision of this Act to the contrary.
Note: Part 4 (relating to requirements for vessels) applies to a restricted class of vessels and
persons, and Part 5 (relating to investigations) applies to a wider class of vessels and persons.
(3) Subsection (1) and this Act generally does not apply to any matter that is
dealt with by the Navigation Act 2012 (Cth) that also has application to Norfolk
Island or to a vessel within Norfolk Island waters or to a vessel that would but for that
Act be within the jurisdiction of Norfolk Island.
9. Act does not apply to Defence Force vessels

This Act does not apply to or in respect of a vessel belonging to the Defence
Force of Australia or to the naval, military or air forces of any other country.
Part 2 Safety of navigation

10. Regulations for prevention of collisions at sea or in other navigable waters
(1) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the prevention
of collisions in navigable waters (including the use on vessels of lights, shapes and
signals).
(2) The regulations under this section may adopt, with or without
modification, international regulations for preventing collisions at sea.
(3) The master or any other person concerned in the operation of a vessel who
contravenes the regulations under this section, or who causes those regulations to be
contravened, is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units.
11. Speed limits, no wash zones and other restrictions on the operation of
vessels in navigable waters by display of notice
(1) The Minister, on the advice or recommendation of the Authority, may
prohibit or regulate the operation of vessels in navigable waters by a notice displayed
in or in the vicinity of those waters.
(2) The Minister, on the advice or recommendation of the Authority, may, by
such a notice, impose any restriction considered appropriate for the safety of the
public or for the protection of vessels or other property. In particular, the Minister
may impose restrictions on
(a) the speed of vessels; or
(b) the creation of wash by vessels; or
(c) the mooring or anchoring of vessels; or
(d) the use of vessels for particular purposes.
(3) A notice under this section may apply
(a) to vessels generally or to any class of vessels specified in the notice; and
(b) at all times or at such times as may be specified in the notice; and
(c) to an area of navigable waters specified in the notice; and
(d) in any other circumstances specified in the notice.
(4) A person who operates a vessel to which a notice under this section
applies in contravention of the notice is guilty of an offence.
(5) The regulations may exempt vessels from compliance with a notice under
this section.
(6) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the admission
in evidence and the effect of certificates, in proceedings for offences against this
section, of the measurement of the speed or other matter relating to the use of vessels
by measuring devices.
(7) In any proceedings for an offence against this section, proof of the display
of a notice in accordance with this section is not required until evidence is given to
the contrary.
12. Reckless, negligent, dangerous navigation

(1) Reckless or negligent navigation A person must not operate a vessel
in any navigable waters recklessly or negligently.

(2) Dangerous navigation A person must not operate a vessel in any
navigable waters at such a speed or otherwise in any way that is dangerous to the
public.
(3) Other dangerous acts A person who is on a vessel in navigable
waters, or is being towed by such a vessel, must not do anything that is dangerous to
the public.
(4) Definition in this section
dangerous to the public includes anything that causes or is likely to cause injury
to any person or damage to any property.
13. Unreasonable interference by operation or use of vessel

A person must not
(a) operate a vessel in any navigable waters; or
(b) make any other use of a vessel in any navigable waters,
in a manner that interferes unreasonably with the lawful use of those waters (or of
adjoining land) by other persons.
14. Protection of navigation aids

(1) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, remove, damage, interfere
with or obstruct the use of any navigation aid.
(2) A person may be charged with this offence and with an offence under
section 164 of the Criminal Code 2007 (Removing or concealing buoys, etc) but may
only be convicted of one offence in respect of the same conduct or action.
15. Removal of obstructions in navigable waters

(1) In this section, obstruction to navigation means anything in, over or on
navigable waters (including a vessel, whether wrecked or not) that
(a) is a danger to the safe navigation of vessels; or
(b) is moored, berthed or placed in contravention of any regulation or
enactment,
but not including anything lawfully erected in, over or on navigable waters.
(2) The Harbour Master, on the advice or recommendation of the Authority,
may direct the owner of or person responsible for an obstruction to navigation to
remove the obstruction within such time as is specified in the notice. Any such owner
or person who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the direction is guilty
of an offence.
(3) The Harbour Master, on the advice or recommendation of the Authority,
may remove, or authorise the removal of, any obstruction to navigation in such
manner as the Authority thinks fit (whether or not the Authority has issued a direction
for its removal under this section). The obstruction may be removed by its
destruction if it is reasonable to do so in the circumstances.
(4) The Harbour Master, on the advice or recommendation of the Authority

may, subject to and in accordance with the regulations, dispose of anything removed
under this section.
(5) The Harbour Master may recover as a debt in a court of competent
jurisdiction the reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Harbour Master in the
exercise of the Harbour Masters powers under this section from the owner of or
person responsible for the obstruction to navigation.
(6) Nothing in this section requires the Harbour Master to obtain or first
receive any advice or recommendation from the Authority before issuing any
direction or taking any action.
16. Regulation of aquatic activities in navigable waters

(1) In this section
aquatic activity means
(a) an activity by one or more persons involving vessels or equipment that is
conducted in or on any navigable waters and that restricts or may have an
adverse effect upon the availability of those waters for normal use by the
public; or
(b) a race or exhibition involving vessels or equipment that is conducted in or
on any navigable waters.
conduct an aquatic activity includes promoting or organising the activity for a
purpose or carrying out the activity by an individual whether or not in concert
with others and whether or not for profit.
(2) Activities to which this section is intended to apply include the operation
of PWCs, and sailboards.
(3) The regulations may prohibit or regulate the conduct of aquatic activities.
(4) Any such regulation may
(a) prohibit the conduct of aquatic activities without a licence or other
approval from the Authority;
(b) designate an area or areas of navigable waters to be closed to particular
aquatic activities permanently or from time to time;
(c) provide for the seizure of a vessel or equipment used in contravention of
the regulations and for their disposal by order of a court; and
(d) provide for penalties not exceeding 10 penalty units for breach of the
regulations.
17. Regulations relating to safety of navigation

(1) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the safety of
navigation.
(2) In particular, the regulations may make provision for or with respect to
(a) the operation of vessels in navigable waters; and
(b) vessels or objects that have been abandoned in navigable waters; and
(c) the activities of persons that affect navigation (including PWC, sailboards,
divers or other persons in or on navigable waters including persons carried
on vessels); and
(d) navigation aids; and
(e) cables, wires, pipes or other material crossing over or under any navigable
waters, and their supporting structures; and
(f) the safety of port or jetty operations relating to vessels, passengers and
cargo.
(3) The regulations may provide that a person may apply to the
Administrative Appeals Tribunal for a review of a decision made under the Act or the
regulations other than a decision to prosecute or hold any inquiry or conduct any
investigation.
Part 3 Boating safety Alcohol and drugs

18. Definitions
(1) In this Part
drug has the same meaning as it has in the Traffic Act 2010.
juvenile means a person who is not more than 16 years of age.
major offence means
(a) a crime or offence by which the death of or bodily harm to another person
was caused by or arose out of the operation of a vessel; or
(b) an offence against this Part.
operate a vessel includes
(a) being towed by a vessel, whether on a water ski, aquaplane, paraflying
device or other device; or
(b) act as observer on a vessel, for safety purposes, of any person being towed
by the vessel.
(2) A reference in this Part to this Part includes a reference to Schedule 1.
19. Application of Part

(1) This Part applies to all vessels. However, this Part does not apply to a
surfboard or similar device used by a swimmer or surfer to support the swimmer or
surfer in the water (other than a sailboard or a device being towed by a vessel).
(2) This Part applies to a vessel only while the vessel is underway.
(3) This Part applies to all navigable waters.
20. Prescribed concentrations of alcohol

A reference in this Part to a special range prescribed concentration of alcohol is
reference to one of the following
(a) the novice range prescribed concentration of alcohol is reference to a
concentration greater than zero but less than 0.05 grams of alcohol in 100
millilitres of blood;
(b) the low range prescribed concentration of alcohol is a reference to 0.05
grams or more, but less than 0.10 grams, of alcohol in 100 millilitres of
blood; and
(c) the middle range prescribed concentration of alcohol is a reference to a
concentration of 0.10 grams or more, but less than 0.15 grams, of alcohol
in 100 millilitres of blood; and
(d) the high range prescribed concentration of alcohol is a reference to a

concentration of 0.15 grams or more of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.
21. Operating vessel under influence of alcohol or other drug

(1) A person must not operate a vessel in any waters while under the influence
of alcohol or any other drug.
(2) The master of a vessel must not permit a person to operate in any waters a
vessel in the charge of the master if the master is aware, or has reasonable cause to
believe, that the person is under the influence of alcohol or any other drug.
(3) If a person is charged with an offence under this section
(a) the information may allege the person was under the influence of more
than one drug and is not liable to be dismissed on the ground of
uncertainty or duplicity if each of those drugs is described in the
information; and
(b) the offence is proved if the court is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that
the defendant was under the influence of
(i) a drug described in the information; or
(ii) a combination of drugs any one or more of which was or were
described in the information;
(c) the court may be satisfied under paragraph (b) without evidence of a
breathalyser or other instrument.
22. Operating vessel or supervising juvenile with prescribed concentration of

alcohol in blood
(1) A person who operates a vessel in any waters while there is present in the
persons blood the novice range prescribed concentration of alcohol is guilty of an
offence if
(a) the person is under 18 years of age; or
(b) the person operates the vessel for commercial purposes.
Penalty: (a) in the case of a first offenceto a penalty not exceeding 5 penalty
units; or
(b) in the case of a second or subsequent offenceto a penalty not
exceeding 10 penalty units.
(2) A person who operates a vessel in any waters while there is present in the
persons blood the prescribed concentration of alcohol greater than the novice range
is guilty of an offence.
(3) A person who
(a) is required by or under this Act to supervise a juvenile operator of a motor
vessel; and
(b) permits the juvenile to operate the motor vessel in any waters while a
concentration in the novice range or above is present in the blood of the
person,
(4) A person who is guilty of an offence under this section is liable, if there is
present in the persons blood the low range prescribed concentration of alcohol
(a) in the case of a first offenceto a penalty not exceeding 5 penalty units;
or
(b) in the case of a second or subsequent offenceto a penalty not exceeding
10 penalty units.
present in the persons blood the middle range prescribed concentration of alcohol,
to a penalty not exceeding 10 penalty units, or to imprisonment for a period not
exceeding 6 months, or both.
present in the persons blood the high range prescribed concentration of alcohol
(a) in the case of a first offenceto a penalty not exceeding 15 penalty units,
or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 9 months, or both; or
(b) in the case of a second or subsequent offenceto a penalty not exceeding
20 penalty units or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months,
or both.
(7) For the purposes of this section, if a person is guilty of an offence under
this section, that offence
(a) is a second or subsequent offence under this section if and only if, within
the period of 5 years immediately before being convicted of the offence,
the person was convicted of a major offence; and
(b) in any other case is to be treated as a first offence.
23. Double jeopardy

(1) A person is not liable to be convicted (in respect of the same act or
omission) of both
(a) an offence under section 21 of operating a vessel while under the influence
of alcohol; and
(b) an offence under section 22.
(2) A person is not liable to be convicted (in respect of the same act or
omission) of both
(a) an offence under section 21 of operating a vessel while under the influence
of alcohol; and
(b) an offence of refusing or failing to submit to a breath analysis or to
provide a sample of blood or urine.
24. Breath analysis and other related provisions

The provisions of the Schedule apply and until such time as regulations may
prescribe for this Part, section 32 (and the Regulations for the purposes of that
section) of the Traffic Act 2010 apply so far as they may be applicable and are not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Part (including the use of equipment and
machines for breath testing).
Part 4 Marine certificates
Division 1 General
25. Types of marine certificates

For the purposes of this Act, there are the following types of marine certificates
(a) vessel registration certificatebeing a marine certificate for a vessel that
is required by division 2 of Part 5;
(b) seaworthy certificatebeing a certificate that is required by division 3 of
Part 5;
(c) a boat driving licence being a licence to operate a power driven
recreational vessel that is required by division 4 of Part 5;
(d) any other certificate or licence or approval that is declared by the
regulations to be a marine certificate (whether for the purposes of all or
only specified provisions of this Act).
Division 2 Grant of marine certificates and related matters
26. The Marine Registrar and Deputy Marine Registrar

(1) For the purposes of this Act, there is a Marine Registrar who is the person
from time to time appointed as the Registrar of Motor Vehicles under the Traffic Act
2010.
(2) The Registrar shall exercise such powers and functions as are prescribed.
(3) The powers of the Registrar include
(a) the power to do any act or thing, or to exercise any function or duty
required of the Registrar or as prescribed;
(b) the power to determine the nature, type, description, and category of any
class or classes of vessel for which a licence may be issued;
(c) the power to determine the content, manner, venue, and nature of any test
required for the issue of a marine certificate, and to determine the level or
standard for passing such test; and
(d) the power to determine the particulars, nature, class, or category of any
endorsement and condition to be attached to the issue of any marine
certificate.
(4) There shall be a Deputy Marine Registrar who is the person from time to
time appointed as Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles under the Traffic Act 2010.
(5) The Deputy Registrar shall have and may exercise all the powers of the
Registrar
(a) when the Registrar is for any reason unable to act; and
(b) during a vacancy in the office of Registrar; and
(c) subject to the control and direction of the Registrar - at any other time.
(6) Where, under this Act
(a) the exercise of a power or function by the Registrar; or
(b) the operation of this Act,
is dependent on the opinion, belief or state of mind of the Registrar in relation to a

matter
(c) that power or function may be exercised by the Deputy Registrar; or
(d) that provision may operate,
on the opinion, belief or state of mind of the Deputy Registrar in relation to the
matter.
27. Grant of certificates and conditions

(1) Marine certificates are to be granted by the Registrar.
(2) The Registrar may approve or refuse applications for marine certificates in
accordance with this Act and the regulations.
(3) The Registrar may take such advice from the Authority in connection with
compliance with standards for the grant of a marine certificate as the Registrar
considers necessary or appropriate or as may be required by regulation.
(4) Marine certificates may be granted unconditionally or subject to
conditions.
(5) Any such condition may relate to any matter concerning marine safety,
including insurance coverage, or indemnities, for damage or injury caused in
connection with the activity to which the licence relates.
(6) After granting a marine certificate, the Registrar may, by notice in writing
to the holder of the certificate
(a) impose conditions or further conditions on the certificate; or
(b) vary or revoke any of the conditions to which the certificate is subject.
(7) A marine certificate is also subject to such conditions as are prescribed by
the regulations. Any such condition cannot be varied or revoked by the Registrar
under this section.
(8) A boat driving licence can not be issued to a person under the age of 15
years.
(9) A condition under this section may restrict or limit an activity authorised
by the certificate.
28. Offence to contravene conditions of certificate

The holder of a marine certificate must not, without lawful excuse, contravene
any condition to which the certificate is subject.
Maximum penalty50 penalty units.
29. Duration of certificate

(1) A marine certificate remains in force (unless sooner cancelled) for the
period specified in the certificate or (if no such period is specified) until cancelled.
(2) A marine certificate is not in force during any period it is suspended.
30. Fees for certificates

The fees payable in respect of applications for certificates are to be determined by
regulation.
31. Offences
(1) A person must not pretend to be the holder of a marine certificate.
(2) A person must not, for the purpose of obtaining a marine certificate,
provide any information or produce any document that the person knows is false or
misleading in a material particular.
(3) A person must not operate a recreational vessel for which a boat driving
licence is required unless that person is the holder of a boat driving licence that
permits the person to operate a recreational vessel of the type being operated.
(4) If a person in breach of subsection (3) is a person under the age of 16
years the owner of the recreational vessel concerned is liable for any penalty imposed
upon the offender as principal offender.
32. Regulations relating to certificates

(1) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to marine
certificates.
(2) In particular, the regulations may make provision for or with respect to the
following
(a) the classes of a particular type of certificate;
(b) restrictions on the authority conferred by a particular type of certificate or
class of certificate, whether by reference to the length of the vessel
concerned or otherwise;
(c) applications for certificates;
(d) the eligibility of applicants (including age, qualifications, knowledge,
experience, training and health);
(e) the testing or examination of applicants or the holders of certificates to
determine whether they are or continue to be eligible to hold a certificate;
(f) the continuing education and training of holders of certificates;
(g) the grant of further certificates after the expiry of certificates;
(h) the granting of different types of certificates in the same document;
(j) the replacement of certificates that are lost, destroyed or defaced;
(k) the return of certificates that require alteration;
(m) fees payable in connection with certificates and applications for
certificates.
Division 3 Suspension or cancellation of marine certificates
33. Suspension or cancellation of certificates by Minister

(1) A marine certificate may be cancelled
(a) by the Minister in accordance with section 78; or
(b) by the Registrar
(i) if the person concerned is not qualified, or is no longer qualified, to
hold the certificate; or
(ii) in such other circumstances as are prescribed by regulation.
(2) The Minister may at any time remove the suspension of a marine
certificate (except a suspension imposed by a court) cancelled under paragraph 1(a),
or if cancelled by the Registrar under paragraph 1(b), upon the recommendation of
the Authority.
34. Suspension or cancellation of certificates by court in connection with

offence
(1) A court that convicts the holder of a marine certificate of a marine safety
offence in connection with activities to which the certificate relates may, by order
(a) cancel or suspend the certificate; and
(b) disqualify the convicted person from holding or obtaining such a
certificate for a period specified by the court; and
(c) order the seizure of a vessel involved in the commission of the offence and
that it be held for a specified period or sold or destroyed.
(2) Any disqualification under this section is in addition to any penalty
imposed for the offence.
(3) In this section, a marine safety offence means any offence relating to the
operation of a vessel that causes the death or injury of a person or damage to property,
or that causes a risk of any such death, injury or damage.
35. Return of suspended or cancelled certificate

The holder of a marine certificate suspended or cancelled under this Act must
deliver the certificate to the Registrar as soon as practicable after the certificate is
suspended or cancelled.
Division 4 Review by Administrative Appeals Tribunal
36. Definition of Tribunal

In this division, Tribunal means the Administrative Appeals Tribunal established
by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth).
37. Rights of review

A person who is dissatisfied with any of the following decisions under this Act
may apply to the Tribunal for a review of the decision
(a) the refusal to grant a marine certificate to the person;
(b) the imposition of conditions on the persons marine certificate (otherwise
than by regulation);
(c) the suspension or cancellation of the persons marine certificate (otherwise
than by a court).
38. Failure to make decision

For the purposes of this division, an application for the grant of a marine
certificate is taken to have been refused if the certificate is not granted within 60 days
(or such other period as is prescribed by the regulations) after the application was
duly made.
Part 5 Requirements for vessels
Division 1 Unsafe vessels
39. Definition of unsafe vessel

(1) A vessel is an unsafe vessel for the purposes of this division if, because
of
(a) the condition or equipment of the vessel; or
(b) the manner or place in which cargo or equipment on the vessel is stowed
or secured; or
(c) the nature of the cargo; or
(d) the overloading of the vessel with persons or cargo (including the
submergence of the vessels load line); or
(e) the number or qualifications of its crew; or
(f) any other reason
the operation of the vessel is a danger to human life.
(2) A danger to human life includes anything which is likely to be a danger to
human life.
40. Owner or master not to operate unsafe vessel

(1) The owner of a vessel must not operate, or permit to be operated, the
vessel if the owner knows that it is an unsafe vessel.
Maximum penalty100 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment, or both.
(2) The master of a vessel must not operate, or permit to be operated, a vessel
if the master knows that it is an unsafe vessel.
(3) The fact that an unsafe vessel has been detained under this division does
not prevent a prosecution for an offence against this section.
(4) Knowledge that a vessel is an unsafe vessel includes where a reasonable
person would know or ought reasonably to know that a vessel is unsafe in the
circumstances of the case.
41. Detention of unsafe vessels

(1) The Harbour Master, may order a vessel to be provisionally detained if it
appears to the Minister, the Harbour Master, or the Registrar to be an unsafe vessel.
The vessel may not be provisionally detained unless it is in Norfolk Island waters.
(2) When a vessel has been ordered to be provisionally detained the following
provisions apply
(a) the Harbour Master must, as soon as practicable, cause to be served on the
master or owner of the vessel a notice of the detention and a written
statement of the reasons for the detention;
(b) the Harbour Master, is required to appoint an investigator to investigate
the vessel in accordance with Part 6 and report to the Minister.
(c) The Minister may, on receipt of the report
(i) order its release; or
(ii) if of the opinion that it is an unsafe vessel, order it to be finally

detained either absolutely or until the performance of such
conditions as the Minister considers necessary to ensure that the
vessel is not an unsafe vessel.
(d) The Harbour Master may at any time (and without any report) order the
release of the vessel (with or without conditions) if satisfied that the vessel
is not an unsafe vessel.
(e) Before an order for final detention is made, the Harbour Master must
cause a copy of the report to be served on the master or owner of the
vessel.
(f) The Harbour Master must cause a copy of an order for final detention to
be served on the owner and master of the vessel (if their identity and
whereabouts are known to the Harbour Master).
(3) When any order for the final detention of a vessel is made, the vessel must
not be released until the Harbour Master is satisfied that its further detention is no
longer necessary, and orders its release.
42. Operating detained vessel

(1) The owner of a vessel must not cause or allow the vessel to be taken on a
voyage if the owner knows that the vessel has been detained under this division and
has not been duly released.
(2) The master of a vessel must not take the vessel on a voyage if the master
knows that the vessel has been detained under this division and has not been duly
released.
(3) An agent for a vessel that has been detained under this division and has
not been duly released must not assist the owner or master of the vessel to contravene
this section.
(4) A person must not obstruct or fail to comply with any reasonable
requirement of a person appointed by the Minister or the Harbour Master to take
charge of a vessel detained under this division in connection with the exercise of that
persons functions.
Maximum penalty 20 penalty units.
43. Costs of detention

If a vessel is detained under this division without reasonable cause, the
Administration is liable to pay the owner of the vessel compensation for any loss or
damage resulting from the detention.
Division 2 Vessel registration
44. Vessels requiring registration

(1) All commercial and recreational vessels that operate in Norfolk Island
waters are required to be registered under this Act unless exempt from registration.
(2) A vessel that is required to be registered under this Act is a registrable
vessel for the purposes of this Act.
45. Vessels exempt from registration

(1) A vessel is exempt from registration under this Act if the vessel is in
Norfolk Island waters and is proceeding on an overseas voyage. An Australian
fishing vessel is exempt from registration under this Act if it is in Norfolk Island
waters and is proceeding on an overseas voyage.
(2) A vessel is exempt from registration under this Act if the vessel
(a) is not ordinarily operated in Norfolk Island waters, and
(b) has been in Norfolk Island waters for less than 3 months, and
(c) is registered under the law of the Commonwealth, a State, or a Territory,
or of another country, and is operated in accordance with that law.
(3) A vessel is exempt from registration under this Act if it is of a class
exempted by the regulations.
(4) A vessel is exempt from registration under this Act if the Minister exempts
it from registration by order in writing given to the owner or master of the vessel.
46. Offence to operate unregistered vessel

(1) The owner of a registrable vessel must not operate the vessel in Norfolk
Island waters unless the vessel is registered under this Act and the owner is the holder
of the vessel registration certificate.
(2) The master of a registrable vessel must not operate the vessel in Norfolk
Island waters if the vessel is not registered under this Act or is being operated in
contravention of any conditions of its vessel registration certificate. It is a defence to
a prosecution under this subsection if the master establishes that he or she did not
have any reasonable cause to believe that the vessel was not registered or was being
so operated.
Note:The registration of a vessel is a marine certificate--Part 4 deals with the grant of, and other
matters relating to, any such certificate. A contravention of the conditions of such a certificate by
the owner is an offence - see section 28.
47. Additional grounds for refusal, suspension or cancellation of registration

In addition to any other ground on which the Registrar may refuse to register a
vessel or may suspend or cancel its registration, the Registrar may, or may upon the
recommendation of the Harbour Master, do so on the following grounds
(a) on environmental groundsthat is, the vessel causes or will cause
unreasonable noise, air or other pollution because of its design,
construction or equipment;
(b) on aesthetic groundsthat is, the vessel is or will be an eyesore in the
port or other area in which it operates or is moored or in which it is
proposed to operate or be moored.
Division 3 Seaworthy certificates for commercial vessels
48. Offence to operate commercial vessel without seaworthy certificate

(1) The owner of a registrable vessel that is a commercial vessel must not
operate the vessel in Norfolk Island waters unless the vessel has a seaworthy
certificate under this Act.
(2) The master of a registrable vessel that is a commercial vessel must not
operate the vessel in Norfolk Island waters if the vessel does not have a seaworthy
certificate under this Act or is being operated in contravention of any conditions of its
seaworthy certificate. It is a defence to a prosecution under this subsection if the
master establishes that he or she did not have any reasonable cause to believe that the
vessel did not have such a seaworthy certificate or was being so operated.
(3) A seaworthy certificate is not required for a commercial vessel if
(a) the vessel is of a class exempted by the regulations; or
(b) the Registrar exempts the vessel by order in writing given to the owner or
master of the vessel or by a condition of its registration under this Act.
Note: A seaworthy certificate for a vessel is a marine certificatePart 4 deals with the grant
of, and other matters relating to, any such certificate. A contravention of the conditions of such a
certificate by the owner is an offence--see section 28.
49. Grant of seaworthy certificate and seaworthy schedule for commercial

vessels
(1) A seaworthy certificate is not to be granted for a registrable vessel unless
the Registrar is satisfied that the vessel is safe to operate and complies with such
requirements as may be prescribed.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Registrar may refuse to grant a
seaworthy certificate for a registrable vessel if the Registrar decides to refuse any
application for the registration of the vessel.
(3) The Registrar may issue a schedule with a seaworthy certificate and
require the vessel, as a condition of the seaworthy certificate, to be inspected in
accordance with that schedule to ensure that it continues to comply with relevant
requirements and to be safe to operate.
Division 4 Boat driving licences for power-driven recreational vessels
50. Vessels to which division applies

(1) This division applies to any power-driven recreational vessels operating in
or from Norfolk Island waters, other than vessels exempted by the regulations and
vessels that are not registrable vessels.
(2) In this division, recreational vessel includes a commercial vessel while
hired or used for recreational or sporting purposes and not hired or used for any
commercial industrial purpose.
51. Offence to operate recreational vessel without boat driving licence

A person must not operate a recreational vessel to which this division applies as
its master if the person does not hold a boat driving licence under this Act.
Note: A boat driving licence is a marine certificatePart 4 deals with the grant of, and other
matters relating to, any such licence.
52. Exemption from requirement to hold boat driving licence

A person is exempt from the requirement to hold a boat driving licence if the
person
(a) is not ordinarily resident in Norfolk Island; and

(b) has been operating power-driven recreational vessels in Norfolk Island
waters for less than 3 months; and
(c) is licensed under the law of the Commonwealth, a State, or a Territory, or
of another country prescribed by regulation, and is operating the vessel in
accordance with the conditions of that licence.
Division 5 Miscellaneous provisions relating to vessels
53. Recognised marine certificates

(1) This section applies to a marine certificate that is a vessel registration
certificate or a seaworthy certificate required to be held by this Part.
(2) A marine certificate under this Act may take the form of the grant of
recognition for a marine certificate (or similar licence) granted under the law of the
Commonwealth, of a State or an Australian Territory or of another country.
(3) In that case
(a) a reference in this Act to the grant of the relevant marine certificate is a
reference to the grant of recognition of the licence, and
(b) a reference in this Act to the cancellation or suspension of the relevant
marine certificate is a reference to the withdrawal of recognition
indefinitely or for a period, and
(c) a reference in this Act to the disqualification of the holder of the relevant
marine certificate includes a reference to the disqualification of the person
from having a licence recognised.
54. Mutual recognition of marine certificates

(1) The regulations may provide for automatic recognition for any marine
certificate to which section 53 applies.
(2) Any such recognition is subject to compliance with the conditions of the
licence and of any law of the jurisdiction in which the licence was issued that relates
to authority conferred by the licence.
55. Regulation of marine safety equipment or facilities for recreational or other

vessels
(1) The regulations may require the installation or carriage on recreational or
other vessels of marine safety equipment or facilities.
(2) The requirements of any such regulation may extend to the wearing of
safety equipment by persons driving and passengers on PWC, sailboards, water
skiers, paragliders, and others engaged in similar aquatic activities.
56. Regulation of design and construction of recreational vessels

The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the design and
construction of recreational vessels.
57. Regulation of passengers

The regulations may make provision for or with respect to
(a) the maximum number of passengers or other persons to be carried on
vessels; or
(b) the conduct of passengers on vessels, including the removal of passengers

from vessels; or
(c) the wearing of safety apparel by passengers on vessels.
58. Vessel identification, etc

The regulations may require identifying and other information to be displayed on
vessels (including the display of particulars of registration of vessels or the maximum
carrying capacity of vessels).
Part 6 Marine investigation and enforcement
Division 1 Preliminary
59. Definitions
(1) In this Part
incompetence of the holder of a marine certificate includes the inefficient
performance of any lawful duty required of the holder of that licence.
marine accident means any of the following events involving a vessel operating
in navigable waters
(a) the loss of life of, or injury to, any person on board the vessel;
(b) the loss of a person from the vessel;
(c) the loss of life or injury to a person that is caused by the vessel;
(d) the loss, or presumed loss, of the vessel (including the sinking or
abandonment of the vessel);
(e) the capsizing, grounding or flooding of the vessel;
(f) the collision of the vessel with another vessel or with any object;
(g) the vessel being disabled at sea (in any case in which it requires
assistance);
(h) any fire on board the vessel;
(i) any damage being caused to the vessel (including any structural failure);
(j) any damage to the environment caused by the vessel or by any substance
on, or discharged from, the vessel;
(k) any incident that causes danger of any of the above;
but does not include anything excluded from this definition by the regulations.
misconduct by the holder of a marine certificate includes
(a) carelessness in carrying out any lawful duty required of that holder; or
(b) carrying out any duty while under the influence of alcohol or any other
drug; or
(c) any other act or omission that indicates that the person is not a fit and
proper person to act in the capacity required by the licence.
(2) In this Part, a reference to the holder of a marine certificate includes a
reference to a person whose licence is suspended or cancelled or has otherwise ceased
to have effect.
60. Application
This Part extends, in the case of the holder of a marine certificate, to the
investigation of a marine accident or any incompetence or misconduct by the holder,
even though it occurred or is alleged to have occurred anywhere outside Norfolk
Island.
61. Appointment of authorised officers (other than ex-officio authorised

officers)
(1) The Minister may appoint, as an authorised officer for the purposes of the
marine legislation, any person (including a class of persons) who is a public sector
employee.
(2) The authorisation of such a person as an authorised officer can be given
generally, or subject to conditions and restrictions or only for limited purposes. If the
authorisation is subject to conditions or restrictions or only for limited purposes,
nothing in this Act authorises or requires the authorised officer to act in contravention
of the condition or restriction or for other purposes.
Note: An authorised officer is defined in section 4 and includes a person appointed under this
section.
62. Identity cards for authorised officers

(1) The Registrar is required to give an identity card to each authorised
officer.
(2) An identity card is to be in a form approved by the Minister.
(3) An authorised officer when exercising the functions of the officer is
required to produce his or her identity card if requested to do so by an affected
person. This subsection does not apply if the officer gives a direction by radio or
other communication device.
(4) A person who has been issued with an identity card must return it to the
Registrar on demand.
(5) Until an authorised officer is given an identity card, the officers
instrument of appointment is taken to be an identity card for the purposes of
subsection (3).
Division 2 Duties of masters and owners in case of marine accidents
63. Requirements of masters in case of accident involving vessels

(1) The master of a vessel involved in a marine accident involving 2 or more
vessels or the death of or injury to any person
(a) must stop the vessel; and
(b) must give any necessary assistance that the master is able to give to any
person injured or vessel damaged in the accident.
(2) The master of a vessel involved in a marine accident, if required to do so
by any person having reasonable grounds for so requiring
(a) must produce any marine certificate required under this Act to be held by
the master; and
(b) must give particulars of his or her name and place of residence, the name
and address of the owner of the vessel, the name of the vessel and any
distinguishing number that is, or is required to be, displayed on the vessel

by law.
(3) The master of a vessel involved in a marine accident, if required so to do
by any authorised officer, must give such particulars of the marine accident as the
officer requires and the master is able to give.
64. Duty to report marine accidents, etc

(1) When a marine accident occurs in connection with a vessel, the master of
that vessel (and the owner of the vessel if aware of the accident) must send a report to
the Harbour Master and the officer in charge, and if a death has occurred, the
Coroner, containing particulars of the accident as soon as practicable by the quickest
means available.
(2) A report is not required to be sent
(a) if a report of the marine accident has already been sent by the owner or
master, or
(b) in any other case prescribed by the regulations.
(3) After receiving a report of a marine accident, the Harbour Master or the
officer in charge may require further information from the owner or master of a vessel
involved in the accident to determine whether an investigation should be ordered into
the marine accident.
(4) The provision of a report of a marine accident to any officer of the Norfolk
Island police will be sufficient compliance with this provision.
(5) Where any police officer in Norfolk Island receives a report of a marine
accident, such police officer shall ensure a copy thereof is provided to the officer in
charge and the Harbour Master and if a death has occurred, the Coroner.
65. Marine accident particulars

The particulars of a marine accident required to be furnished or reported under
this division are as follows
(a) the time, place and nature of the marine accident;
(b) the name and distinguishing number (if any) of each vessel involved in the
marine accident;
(c) the name and address of each person who was involved in or was a
material witness to the marine accident;
(d) any loss of life or the estimated extent of any injury or damage resulting
from the marine accident.
66. Preservation of evidence

The owner or master of a vessel involved in a marine accident (or other person
concerned in the accident) must take all reasonable measures to preserve any
evidence relating to the marine accident (including nautical charts, log books and
other documents) if he or she has reason to believe that the evidence may be required
for an investigation into the marine accident.
67. Offence
A person who
(a) without reasonable excuse fails to comply with any provision or
requirement of this division; or
(b) furnishes any particulars or information under this division that the person
knows to be false or misleading
Division 3 Investigation of marine accidents and other marine safety matters
68. Ordering of investigation

(1) The Minister may order an investigation into any of the following
(a) a marine accident that has been reported under division 2 or that the
Harbour Master believes may have occurred;
(b) any situation that has the potential to cause marine accidents;
(c) any incident requiring a marine search and rescue operation;
(d) any alleged incompetence or misconduct of the holder of a marine
certificate;
(e) a vessel that has been provisionally detained as an unsafe vessel;
(f) any incident in connection with a port facility that has caused, or has the
potential to cause, a danger to life or serious damage to property.
(2) Nothing in this Act or in any regulation shall prevent or hinder or delay in
any way the undertaking of any investigation or inquiry into any matter in
subsection (1) by any police officer, officer appointed under this Act, any
other law enforcement or marine safety authority, any Commissioner
acting under the Royal Commissions Act 1928 or by any Coroner.
69. Principal purposes of investigation

The principal purposes of an investigation under this division are
(a) to determine the circumstances of or concerning the marine accident or
other incident as they affect marine safety; and
(b) to make recommendations to prevent the recurrence of any similar marine
accident or other incident.
70. Appointment of investigator

(1) The Minister may appoint as the investigator for the purposes of an
investigation
(a) an authorised officer; or
(b) any other person possessing qualifications or experience relevant to the
investigation.
(2) Two or more persons may be appointed as joint investigators for the
purposes of an investigation.
(3) An investigator is subject to the control and direction of the Minister,
except in relation to the contents of any report made by the investigator.
71. Powers of investigator

For the purpose of conducting an investigation, an investigator is an authorised
officer and has all the powers and other functions of an authorised officer under this
Part.
72. Conduct of investigations

(1) An investigator is to conduct the investigation in such manner as the
investigator considers appropriate having regard to the principal purposes of the
investigation.
(2) An investigation may extend to all relevant events and circumstances
preceding the marine accident or other incident.
(3) At any time during the course of an investigation the Minister may
determine that the investigation be discontinued and that a report be prepared and
submitted by the investigator.
(4) For the purposes of an investigation, the investigator may rely on any
evidence relating to the matter under investigation given in any criminal or civil
proceedings or in any coronial or other judicial inquiry.
73. Report to Minister of investigation

(1) On the completion of the investigation, the investigator must prepare and
submit a report to the Minister.
(2) The report must include
(a) findings as to the facts of the marine accident or other incident, and where
the facts cannot be established with certainty, an opinion as to the most
probable facts; and
(b) in the case of a marine accident, the cause or most probable cause of the
accident; and
(c) any observations and recommendations to prevent the recurrence of
similar marine accidents or incidents that the investigator considers should
be made.
(3) The investigator may, at any time during an investigation, prepare an
interim report and submit it to the Minister.
74. Representations by persons affected by report

(1) If a report, or any part of a report, relates to a persons affairs to a material
extent, the investigator must, if it is reasonable to do so, serve that person with a copy
of the report or the relevant part of that report.
(2) Any such person may, within 14 days after receiving it, make written
representations relating to the report or the relevant part of the report to the
investigator.
(3) The investigator is to consider any such representations.
(4) The investigator
(a) may make further investigations; and
(i) amend the report; or
(ii) make no change to the report; and
(b) is to notify the person who made the representations of the result of the
persons representations; and
(c) is to submit a final report to the Minister (setting out the substance of the
representations and the conclusions and action taken by the investigator
with respect to them).
75. Suspension of marine certificate pending investigation

(1) If the Minister has ordered an investigation under this division that
involves any alleged incompetence or misconduct of the holder of a marine
certificate, the Registrar may suspend the licence pending the investigation and
determination of the matter if the Registrar has reason to believe that it would be
dangerous for the holder of the licence to continue the activities authorised by the
licence.
(2) A suspension under this section may not exceed 14 days.
(3) The Registrar may only extend the suspension beyond that period if
authorised to do so by order of the Chief Magistrate. The Chief Magistrate may, on
application by the Registrar, make such an order if satisfied there is reasonable cause
to do so.
76. Action by Minister following report of investigation

(1) The Minister may take any action that is available to the Minister in
connection with a report submitted by an investigator.
(2) In particular, the Minister may do any of the following
(a) take no action;
(b) take action to improve marine safety procedures;
(c) reprimand the holder of a marine certificate for any incompetence or
misconduct;
(d) suspend or cancel a marine certificate, or impose conditions on any such
certificate, for any incompetence or misconduct of the holder;
(e) inform any other marine safety authority that has granted any similar
certificate to the person concerned of the report and action taken by the
Minister on the report;
(f) recommend to the Crown Counsel or the Norfolk Island Police that
criminal or other legal proceedings be taken against a person.
(3) Any action that may be taken by the Minister under paragraphs (2)(d) or
(e) may be taken by the Registrar at the direction of the Minister.
(4) Before taking action under this section, the Minister may conduct a further
investigation of the matter or refer the matter to the same or a different investigator
for further investigation and report under this division.
(5) Any action taken under this section may extend to more than one marine
certificate held by a person.
(6) The Minister or the Registrar must give written notice to the holder of a
marine certificate of any action taken under this section against that holder, together
with a copy of the final investigation report.
77. Public release of report

(1) The investigator may, at any time during the course of an investigation,
make recommendations to the Minister. The Minister, subject to any requirements or
advice of the officer in charge, may cause them to be made public if the Minister in
accordance with the advice of the officer in charge considers that it is in the interests
of marine safety and the administration of justice to do so.
(2) Subject to subsection (1), the Minister may publicly release a report (or
parts of any report) made to the Minister by an investigator.
(3) The Minister is not to publicly release a report or any part of it if it might
prejudice the rights of any person in any criminal proceedings instituted in connection
with the matter or if it might prejudice any criminal or coronial investigation in
connection with the matter.
78. Protection from liability

Civil proceedings may not be brought against the Administration, the Minister, an
investigator or any person who has supplied any information to the Minister or to an
investigator in connection with an investigation under this division in respect of any
matter contained in that information that is or is alleged to be defamatory or a breach
of confidence.
Division 4 - Investigative powers of authorised officers
79. Application of Division

(1) This division applies to the following investigations
(a) investigations to determine whether the marine legislation has been or may
be contravened; or
(b) investigations under division 3.
(2) A power conferred by this division in respect of a vessel (other than a
power to detain the vessel) may be exercised for the purpose of conducting random
investigations of compliance with marine safety requirements.
(3) The provisions of this division are in addition to and do not derogate from
the powers in sections 6-10 of the Summary Offences Act 2005.
(4) A person can not be charged with both an offence under this Act and the
Summary Offences Act 2005 if the matters constituting the alleged offence are
substantially the same under each enactment.
(5) An authorised person who is a member of the Police Force exercising
powers under this Act or the Summary Offences Act 2005 is taken to have acted
lawfully with respect to action by the officer leading to charging a person with an
offence under one Act if the officers actions are permissible under that Act or the
other.
80. Power to stop and board vessels

(1) For the purpose of conducting an investigation, an authorised officer may
at any reasonable time
(a) stop any vessel; and
(b) board any vessel; and
(c) enter any land for the purpose of boarding any vessel (other than land used
for residential purposes); and
(d) take along any assistants or equipment required to assist the investigation.
(2) For the purpose of boarding the vessel, the authorised officer may direct
the person operating the vessel to manoeuvre it in a specified manner or to a specified
place or to secure it in a specified manner.
81. Other powers of entry

(1) For the purpose of conducting an investigation, an authorised officer may,
at any reasonable time in the daytime or at any time when work is carried on there,
enter any premises (other than premises used for residential purposes).
(2) The authorised officer is to give the occupier of premises reasonable
notice of an intention to enter premises under this section unless
(a) the entry is made with the consent of the occupier; or
(b) the entry is made to a part of the premises that is open to the public; or
(c) the entry is required urgently; or
(d) the giving of notice would defeat the purpose for which it is intended to
exercise the power of entry.
(3) In this section, premises includes any vessel.
(4) Subject to this Act, the power to enter premises under this section includes
a power to search for and to seize anything which in the opinion of the authorised
officer may provide evidence of an offence under this Act, under any regulation or
under any other law applicable to Norfolk Island notwithstanding the provisions of
the Criminal Procedure Act 2007.
82. General investigative powers

For the purposes of conducting an investigation, the authorised officer may, in
addition to any other power provided under this Act or under any other law applicable
to Norfolk Island, do any of the following on any vessel boarded or premises entered
under this division (or in connection with any vessel stopped but not boarded under
this division)
(a) search the vessel or premises;
(b) make inquiries of any person;
(c) take measurements and photographs and make recordings or gather
information or evidence;
(d) examine or test any equipment or substance;
(e) take possession of any equipment or substance and detain it
(i) for examination and testing; or
(ii) to ensure that it is available for use in evidence in any proceedings
for an offence;
(f) require the production of any relevant document, and take possession or
copies of, or examine, the document or any entry in that document;
(g) require any person to give the investigator any facilities and assistance
within that persons control that are necessary to facilitate the conduct of
the investigation.
83. Detention of vessel for purposes of investigation

(1) An authorised officer may detain a vessel for the purposes of an
investigation, but only for so long as is necessary for the purposes of the
investigation.
(2) An authorised officer may not detain a vessel for more than 48 hours
unless authorised to do so by order of the Chief Magistrate. The Chief Magistrate
may, on application by an authorised officer, make such an order if satisfied there is
reasonable cause for doing so.
(3) The authorised officer may give the master or owner (or any other person)
any directions required for the purpose of detaining the vessel.
84. Production of marine certificates

(1) The holder of a boat driving licence is required to carry the licence when
doing anything for which the licence is required.
(2) An authorised officer may require the holder of a marine certificate who is
doing anything for which the certificate is required to produce the holders certificate.
(3) The holder of a marine certificate (other than a boat driving licence) is not
required to produce the certificate at the time the requirement is made if the holder
does not have the certificate in his or her possession at the time. In that case, the
holder is required to produce the certificate to an authorised officer within 24 hours or
within any longer period approved by an authorised officer.
(4) An authorised officer may seize any marine certificate that has been
cancelled or otherwise ceased to have effect or that the officer has reason to believe is
false.
85. Identification of person suspected of committing offence

An authorised officer may require a person whom the authorised officer has
reason to suspect has committed an offence against this Act to state his or her full
name and residential address.
86. Identification of owner and master of vessel

(1) An authorised officer may require information about the owner or master
of a vessel under this section for the purpose of an investigation.
(2) A person must, if an authorised officer requires the person to do so, supply
all the information the person has regarding the identity and address of the owner or
the master of a vessel.
87. Power to require persons to attend to answer questions or produce

documents or other things
(1) An authorised officer may, by notice in writing, require either or both of
the following
(a) the attendance of any person at any place to answer questions at an inquiry
for the purposes of an investigation;
(b) the production of any documents or other things required by the authorised
officer for the purposes of the investigation.
(2) At any such inquiry, the authorised officer
(a) is not bound by the rules of evidence; and
(b) may conduct the inquiry without regard to legal forms; and
(c) may inform himself or herself in such manner as the officer thinks fit.
(3) At any such inquiry, the authorised officer may administer an oath or
require any statement to be verified by statutory declaration.
88. [omitted].
89. General provisions relating to functions under this division

(1) In the exercise of a function under this division, an authorised officer is to
do as little damage as possible.
(2) A requirement that an authorised officer may make under this division
may specify a reasonable time within which it is to be complied with. If no such time
is specified, the requirement is to be complied with as soon as practicable after it is
made.
90. Offences
(1) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, prevent or obstruct any
person exercising a function under this division.
(2) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, refuse or fail to comply
with a requirement made of the person under this division.
(3) A person must not give any information or make a statement pursuant to
any requirement made under this division that the person knows is false or
misleading.
Part 7 Legal proceedings

91. Penalty notices
(1) A police officer may serve a penalty notice on a person if it appears to the
officer that the person has committed an offence against the marine legislation, being
an offence prescribed by the regulations.
(2) A penalty notice is a notice to the effect that, if the person served does not
wish to have the matter determined by a court, the person may pay, within the time
and to the person specified in the notice, the penalty prescribed by the regulations for
the offence if dealt with under this section.
(3) A penalty notice may be served personally or by post.
(4) If the amount of the penalty prescribed for an alleged offence is paid under
this section, no person is liable to any further proceedings for the alleged offence.
(5) Payment under this section is not an admission of liability for the purposes
of, and does not affect or prejudice, any civil claim, action or proceeding arising out
of the same occurrence.
(6) The regulations may
(a) prescribe an offence for the purposes of this section by specifying the
offence or by referring to the provision creating the offence; and
(b) prescribe the amount of penalty for an offence if dealt with under this
section; and
(c) prescribe different amounts of penalty for different offences or classes of
offences.
(7) The amount of penalty prescribed under this section for an offence may
not exceed one half of the maximum amount of penalty that could be imposed for the
offence by a court.
(8) This section does not limit the operation of any other provision of, or
made under, this or any other Act relating to proceedings which may be taken in
respect of offences.
92. Summary proceedings for offences

Proceedings for an offence under this Act or the regulations
(a) may be dealt with summarily before the Court of Petty Sessions;
(b) if commenced by or at the request of the Minister, Registrar, or an
authorised officer shall be brought in the name of the Administration as
informant.
93. Time within which proceedings may be commenced

Notwithstanding any other Act prescribing a time limit for prosecution
commencement, proceedings for an offence under this Act or the regulations can not
be commenced later than 2 years after the date alleged to be the date on which the
offence was committed.
94. Offences by corporations

(1) If a corporation contravenes, whether by act or omission, any provision of
this Act or the regulations, each person who is a director of the corporation or who is
concerned in the management of the corporation is taken to have contravened the
same provision if the person knowingly authorised or permitted the contravention.
(2) A person may be proceeded against and convicted under a provision
pursuant to this section whether or not the corporation has been proceeded against or
been convicted under that provision.
(3) Nothing in this section affects any liability imposed on a corporation for
an offence committed by the corporation against this Act or the regulations.
95. Proof of lawful or reasonable excuse

If an act or omission is, by the marine legislation, made an offence when done or
omitted without lawful or reasonable excuse, proof of the lawful or reasonable excuse
lies on the accused.
96. Proof of certain matters not required

(1) A certificate signed or purporting to be signed by the Registrar and stating
that
(a) a person named in the certificate was or was not at a specified time the
holder of a marine certificate or exemption under the marine legislation of
a specified kind; or
(b) any such certificate or exemption held by a specified person was or was
not subject to a specified condition
is admissible in any legal proceedings and is evidence of the matters stated in the
certificate.
(2) In any legal proceedings under the marine legislation, proof is not required
(until evidence is given to the contrary) of the following
(a) any order or action of the Minister, the Harbour Master or the Registrar;
(b) the fact that a vessel is subject to a provision of this Act in question;
(c) the fact that the defendant is, or at any relevant time was, the master of any
vessel in question;
(d) the fact that the defendant is, or at any relevant time was, the owner or
agent of any vessel in question;
(e) the fact that, at any relevant time, any vessel was not used solely for
recreational or sporting purposes or was used for commercial purposes;
(f) the fact that any vessel was, at any relevant time, of such a tonnage or
length that any provision of this Act applied to it;
(g) the appointment of any person under this Act;
(h) the fact that the defendant is, or at any relevant time was, the owner or
occupier of, or in possession, control or charge of, any land or other thing
in question;
(j) the fact that any land in question is, or at any relevant time was, vested in
the Crown, the Administration, or any statutory body.
(3) In any legal proceedings under this Act, evidence that
(a) a message or signal was transmitted, given or made by an authorised
officer or a delegate of the Minister in the course of his or her duties; and
(b) the vessel to which the message or signal was transmitted, given or made
was so located as to be able to receive the message or signal,
is evidence that the message or signal was received by the master of the vessel
concerned.
97. Service of instruments (except in proceedings for offences)

(1) Any notice or other instrument issued, made or given for the purposes of
the marine legislation may be served
(a) by delivering it personally to the person to whom it is addressed; or
(b) by delivering it to the place of residence or business of the person to
whom it is addressed and by leaving it there, with some person apparently
over the age of 16 years, for him or her; or
(c) by posting it to the person addressed to the place last shown in the records
of the Registrar; or
(d) in any manner in which any summons or other process in any proceedings
for an offence under the Court of Petty Sessions Act 1960 may be served;
or
(e) if it is to be served on a person on board a vesselby transmitting its
contents to the master of the vessel in any manner or by any other manner
authorised by this section.
(2) For the purposes of this section, a persons place of residence or business
includes a vessel on which the person resides or works.
98. Service of summons and other process in legal proceedings

(1) Any summons or other process to be served on the owner or master of a
vessel in any proceedings for an offence may be sufficiently served by serving it on
the agent of the vessel in any manner in which it might otherwise have been served on
the owner or master.
(2) A summons or other process so served on the agent of the vessel is taken
to have been served on the owner or master of the vessel.
(3) In this section, agent of a vessel includes

(a) the agent for the berthing or working of the vessel while it is in port; or
(b) if the vessel has left port that agent or, if there was another agent for the
vessel when it left port, that other agent.
Part 8 Search and rescue

99. Control and management of search and rescue operations
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of the Disaster and Emergency
Management Act 2001, the provisions of this Part apply to the proper carrying out in
or from Norfolk Island of operations required for the purpose of searching for or
bringing to safety
(a) persons in danger at sea;
(b) persons in need of assistance as a result of a casualty occurring at sea; or
(c) persons suffering from illness or injury at sea who require assistance that
is not immediately available to them.
(2) Subject to subsection (4) where it appears to the officer in charge (the
officer) that circumstances have arisen in which a marine search and rescue operation
should be carried out at or from Norfolk Island the officer shall take such steps as
appear to him or her to be necessary and practicable to ensure that the operation is
carried out.
(3) For the purpose of discharging his or her duties under this section the
officer may enter into and carry out agreements or arrangements with any person for
the provision of a service or the carrying out of an operation.
(4) If the officer is not also a member of the Australian Federal Police he or
she shall pass responsibility for the officers functions under this section to an officer
of the Australian Federal Police as the designated Search and Rescue mission
coordinator for Norfolk Island under the Inter-Governmental Agreement on National
Search and Rescue Response Arrangements made 30 June 2004 and for the purposes
of this Part that officer shall have all the powers and responsibilities of the officer in
charge.
(5) The officer may delegate any of his or her functions under this section to
such person as the officer thinks fit.
(6) A delegation under subsection (5) is revocable at the will of the officer and
does not prevent the exercise by the officer of any of the delegated functions.
100. Payments in respect of losses, etc, incurred in certain operations

(1) Where in the carrying out of an approved operation a person suffers death
or injury, or loss of or damage to property, or any other financial loss the Minister
may, subject to this section, pay to that person, or, if he has died, to his personal
representatives, such sum as the Minister may determine in respect of that death or
injury or as compensation, in whole or in part, for that loss or damage.
(2) No payment shall be made under this section except on the
recommendation of the officer.
(3) Nothing in this section affects the operation of any agreement entered into
under this Act.
(4) For the purposes of this section an approved operation is a marine search
and rescue operation arrangement for the carrying out of which have been made by or
on behalf of the officer in the exercise of his functions under this Act.
101. Recovery of cost of certain operations

(1) Where any expense is incurred under this Act by or on behalf of the
officer in the carrying out of a marine search and rescue operation, the whole or a part
of that expense may, in accordance with this section, be recovered from
(a) the owner of the vessel or aircraft in relation to which the operation was
carried out; or
(b) any person for the assistance of whom the operation was carried out.
(2) No sum may be recovered from a person under this section except with the
approval of the Crown Counsel and the Minister given on the recommendation of the
officer.
(3) A sum that is recoverable under this section may be recovered by the
officer by action in a court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due to the
Administration.
(4) Nothing in this section affects the law relating to salvage and no sum may
be recovered under this section in respect of a service for which there is a right to a
salvage reward.
Part 9 Norfolk Island Marine and Harbour Authority (NIMAHA)

and Harbour Master
102. Norfolk Island Marine and Harbour Authority
(1) The Norfolk Island Marine and Harbour Authority is established.
(2) Members of the Authority are not entitled to payment of any remuneration
or reimbursement of expenses for attending meetings of the Authority or attending to
its business.
(3) The Chief Executive Officer may provide such accommodation, staffing
and other assistance as may be reasonably required by the Authority for the conduct
of its affairs.
103. Objects of the Authority

The objects of the Authority are to
(a) advise and provide recommendations to the Minister on matters relating to
Norfolk Island waters including
(i) the establishment and use of harbours, piers and jetties;
(ii) the establishment and maintenance of safe moorings;
(iii) the designation of places for the mooring or anchorage of vessels
for purposes of customs and immigration;
(iv) the designation of places for the mooring or anchorage of vessels
for purposes of loading and unloading cargo and passengers;
(v) the appointment of marine safety inspectors and other persons for
the purposes of this Act, other than the appointment of police
officers as authorised persons.
(b) inquire into and make recommendations concerning marine safety and
such other matters as the regulations may provide or as the Minister may
request; and
(c) perform such other functions as may be directed by this or any other
enactment.
104. The Authority

(1) The Authority consists of not more than 10 persons as follows
(a) two persons appointed by the Minister, one of whom must be or be
eligible to practise as a legal practitioner, and one with experience in
maritime or harbour matters one of whom shall be designated the
Chairperson and the other the Deputy Chairperson;
(b) two persons representing the Norfolk Island Fishing Association (one of
whom must be the President from time to time);
(c) the officer in charge of the Norfolk Island Police Force or the nominee
thereof;
(f) the Officer in Charge of the Lighterage Service or the Officers nominee;
(g) one person representing the Commonwealth; and
(h) one person appointed by the Minister nominated by, and representing,
commercial maritime businesses.
(2) Where a person referred to in subsection (1) the principal may be
represented by a nominee, the principal must, in writing, notify the Chairperson of the
appointment of a nominee.
(3) A nominee may attend and vote at meetings of the Authority at which the
principal is not present.
105. Meetings and quorum

(1) The Authority shall meet at least quarterly at a time and place notified by
the Chairperson.
(2) A meeting of the Authority may be adjourned from time to time.
(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Authority is 5 members present in person
or by their nominee.
106. Harbour Master

(1) (a) The Chief Executive Officer shall appoint a suitably qualified
person to be Harbour Master.
(b) The Harbour Master is a public sector employee.
(2) The Harbour Master shall be ex officio a member of the Authority with the
right to receive notices, attend and speak at meetings of the Authority but not to vote
upon any matter put to a vote of members of the Authority.
(3) The Harbour Master is, subject to this Act and the Regulations,
responsible for
(a) day to day management of the ports including
(i) permission to enter and leave the ports;
(ii) control of ship movements entering or leaving port;
(iii) co-ordination of nautical service providers (including lighterage,
supplies, fuel);
(iv) the safe loading and unloading of passengers and cargo to and from
vessels;
(b) ensuring the general safety level in the port (by monitoring and enforcing
port bylaws, working safety and conditions on vessels and on shore);
(c) managing vessel movements, including those involved in leisure activity;
(d) liaising with customs, immigration and environmental protection agencies
and personnel in connection with the arrival and departure of vessels from
the port;
(e) ensuring compliance with dangerous goods regulations applicable to a
vessel or the port;
(f) co-ordinating and/or assisting in calamity abatement;
(g) gathering information for administrative purposes.
(4) A lawful decision of the Harbour Master can only be countermanded or set
aside by a direction of
(b) the Minister in the exercise of a power under this or another applicable
enactment;
(c) The Administrator or the Commonwealth Minister or other person in the
exercise of a power under an applicable Act of the Commonwealth;
(d) the officer in charge of the Norfolk Island Police in the exercise of police
powers under this or any other enactment.
107. Recommendation of the Authority

(1) The Minister is not obliged to accept all or any advice of the Authority.
(2) Nothing in this Act or in any regulation requires the Minister to obtain or
first receive any advice or recommendation from the Authority before issuing any
direction, making any rule or taking any action under this Act or any regulation.
Part 10 Miscellaneous
108. Delegation by Minister
(1) The Minister may, by instrument, delegate any of the powers of the
Minister under this Act except this power of delegation.
(2) A delegation may be made
(a) to a specified person; or
(b) to the holder for the time being of a specified office or position.
(3) A delegate, in making a decision in accordance with a delegation under
this section, must comply with the requirements of this Act which the Minister is
required to comply with in making such a decision.
109. Act binds Crown

This Act binds the Crown in right of Norfolk Island and, in so far as possible, the
Crown in all its other capacities.
110. Rules
(1) The Minister may make rules with respect to
(a) necessary skills and experience for the licensing of operators of

commercial and recreational vessels;
(b) standards for safety equipment to be carried by commercial and
recreational vessels and the wearing of safety devices by passengers and
operators;
(c) the appointment of and qualifications required for persons providing
training to persons seeking a marine certificate under regulations made for
Part 4.
(2) A rule made under this section
(a) need not be in accordance with any advice of the Authority;
(b) is not enforceable until it has been notified in the Gazette;
(d) cannot create an offence punishable by a penalty exceeding 10 penalty
units.
111. Regulations
(1) The Administrator may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act,
for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be
prescribed or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or
giving effect to this Act.
(2) A regulation may create an offence punishable by a penalty not exceeding
100 penalty units.
112. Adoption of standards and other documents

(1) The rules or regulations may incorporate by reference, wholly or in part
and with or without modification, any standards, rules, codes, specifications or
methods, as in force at a particular time or as in force from time to time, prescribed or
published by an authority or body (whether or not it is a Norfolk Island authority or
body).
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), a rule or regulation may adopt, wholly or
in part and with or without modification any Australian Standard or any standard of
another country.
113. Exemptions
(1) The regulations may exempt, or provide for the exemption of, any person
or vessel from any requirement of the regulations.
(2) If this Act confers a power to make regulations to exempt any person or
vessel from a requirement of this Act or the regulations, the power extends to making
a regulation authorising the Minister or other person to grant the exemption.
(3) An exemption granted by the regulations or by an order of the Minister or
other person may be made subject to any condition specified in the regulation or
order.
(4) The exemption does not apply during any period that any such relevant
condition is not complied with.
Note: Sections 11, 45, 48 and 52 make provision for the granting of exemptions.
114. Review of Act

(1) The Minister is to review this Act to determine whether the policy
objectives of the Act remain valid and whether the terms of the Act remain
appropriate for securing those objectives.
(2) The review is to be undertaken as soon as possible after the period of 12
months from the date of assent to this Act and a report of the outcome of the review is
to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly within 3 months thereafter.
(3) Nothing in this section restricts the power of the Minister to review the
Act at any time or the powers of the Authority to review and make recommendations
to the Minister at any time.
Schedule 1 Powers of authorised officers

1. Powers of authorised officers
(1) An authorised officer may for the purposes of Part 3 of this Act and this
Schedule exercise the following powers
(a) direct or signal a person who is operating a vessel to manoeuvre the vessel
in a specified manner or to a specified place;
(b) direct or signal a person to stop the vessel and secure it in a specified
manner;
(c) board a vessel for the purpose of investigating an offence the authorised
officer reasonably suspects to have been committed while the vessel was
underway;
(d) require any person whom the authorised officer reasonably suspects of
having committed an offence against this Schedule or the regulations or
who, in the opinion of the authorised officer, is in a position to give
evidence relating to the commission of an offence, to state his or her full
name and residential address;
(e) require persons suspected of an offence to provide specimen of breath or
blood for testing;
(f) seize anything which may afford evidence of the commission of an
offence.
(2) A person who
(a) fails or refuses to comply with a requirement under this clause; or
(b) hinders an authorised officer acting in the exercise of the officers powers
under this clause; or
(c) when required to state his or her name and residential address, states a
false name or address,
(3) A person is not guilty of an offence of failing or refusing to comply with a
requirement under subclause (1)(c) or (d) unless it is established that the authorised
officer
(a) warned the person that a failure or refusal to comply with the requirement
is an offence; and
(b) identified himself or herself as an authorised officer.
2. Identification of offender
(1) If a person is reasonably suspected by an authorised officer to have
committed an offence against Part 3 of this Act or this Schedule, the owner of the
vessel concerned or person in charge of the vessel at the time of the alleged offence
may be required to give information as to the full name and residential address of the
person suspected of committing the offence and any other person may be required to
give any information that may lead to the identification of the person.
(2) The owner or person in charge may be required to give the information in
the form of a written statement signed by the owner or person in charge.
(3) A person who fails to comply with a requirement under this clause is
guilty of an offence.
(4) A person is not guilty of an offence under this clause if it is established
that the person did not know and could not with reasonable diligence have established
the name and address of the person.
(5) A written statement purporting to be furnished under this clause and to
contain particulars of the name and residential address of a person at the time of
commission of an alleged offence against Part 3 of this Act or this Schedule is
evidence in proceedings against the person that he or she was the operator of the
vessel at the time of commission of the alleged offence without proof of signature if
the person does not appear before the court.
Schedule 2 amendment of the Coroners Act 1993

The Coroners Act 1993 is amended as follows
(1) Following subsection 11(1), insert
(1A) For purposes of clarification, subsection (1) includes an inquiry into the
death of a person
(a) within Norfolk Island waters whether the person dies or is found dead on
or below the surface and whether or not on a vessel; and
(b) beyond Norfolk Island waters if
(i) the deceased had a connection with Norfolk Island such as being a
permanent resident or the holder of a permit under the Immigration
Act 1980; or
(ii) the deceased had last been seen alive within Norfolk Island waters,
but only if it is more convenient to hold the inquest in Norfolk Island than in another
place and no other jurisdiction claims the right to hold an inquest..
(2) Following subsection 13(1), insert
(1A) Subsection (1) includes an inquiry into the causes of a fire where property
is destroyed or damaged by fire on a vessel within Norfolk Island waters..
NOTES
The Marine Safety Act 2013 as shown in this consolidation comprises Act No. 5 of 2013 and
amendments as indicated in the Tables below.
Enactment Number and Date of Application saving or

year commencement transitional provision
Marine Safety Act 2013 5, 2013 s 124, 3943,
59114, Sch 1 and
2: 12.02.2013
The remainder
will commence on
a day or days to be
fixed by notice in
the Gazette.
Marine Safety (Amendment) Act 13, 2013 30.08.2013 (s 2)

2013
as amended by
Marine Safety (Amendment 14, 2013 30.08.2013 (s 2)
No. 2) Act 2013
Marine Safety (Amendment No. 14, 2013 30.08.2013 (s 2)

2) Act 2013
[Previously consolidated as at 31 August 2013]
Ordinance Registration Commencement Application, saving and

transitional provision
Norfolk Island Continued Laws Amendment 17 June 2015 Sch 1 (items 203, 204, Sch 1 (items 344, 345)
Ordinance 2015 (F2015L00835) 344, 345): 18 June
(No. 2, 2015) 2015 (s 2(1) item 1)
(now cited as Norfolk Island Continued Laws
Ordinance 2015 (see F2015L01491))
as amended by
Norfolk Island Continued Laws 14 Dec 2015 Sch 5 (item 2): 1 Dec
Amendment (2015 Measures No. 1) (F2015L01994) 2016 (s 2(1) item 4)
Ordinance 2015
(No. 10, 2015)
Norfolk Island Continued Laws 10 May 2016 Sch 4 (item 40): 1 July
Amendment (2016 Measures No. 2) (F2016L00751) 2016 (s 2(1) item 4)
Ordinance 2016
(No. 5, 2016)
Table of Amendments
ad = added or inserted am = amended rep = repealed rs = repealed and substituted
Provisions affected How affected
4 am Ord No 2, 2015 (as am by Ord No 5, 2016)
52 am 14, 2013
109 am Ord No 2, 2015
110 am Ord No 2, 2015

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NORFOLK ISLAND

Marine Safety Act 2013

Compilation date: 1 December 2016

Includes amendments up to: Norfolk Island Continued Laws Ordinance 2015

Prepared by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, Canberra

MARINE SAFETY ACT 2013

PART 2 SAFETY OF NAVIGATION 5

PART 3 BOATING SAFETY ALCOHOL AND DRUGS 8

PART 4 MARINE CERTIFICATES 11

Division 2 Grant of marine certificates and related matters 11

Division 3 Suspension or cancellation of marine certificates 13

34. Suspension or cancellation of certificates by court in connection with offence ............. 14

Division 4 Review by Administrative Appeals Tribunal 14

PART 5 REQUIREMENTS FOR VESSELS 15

Division 1 Unsafe vessels 15

Division 2 Vessel registration 16

Division 3 Seaworthy certificates for commercial vessels 17

Division 4 Boat driving licences for power-driven recreational vessels 18

Division 5 Miscellaneous provisions relating to vessels 19

PART 6 MARINE INVESTIGATION AND ENFORCEMENT 20

Division 2 Duties of masters and owners in case of marine accidents 21

Division 3 Investigation of marine accidents and other marine safety matters 23

69. Principal purposes of investigation ................................................................................ 23

Division 4 - Investigative powers of authorised officers 26

PART 7 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 29

PART 8 SEARCH AND RESCUE 32

PART 9 NORFOLK ISLAND MARINE AND HARBOUR AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE 1 POWERS OF AUTHORISED OFFICERS 37

SCHEDULE 2 AMENDMENT OF THE CORONERS ACT 1993 38

MARINE SAFETY ACT 2013

BE IT ENACTED by the Legislative Assembly of Norfolk Island as follows

(b) to pilot the vessel; and

6. Meaning of vessel connected with Norfolk Island

7. Meaning of owner of vessel and owner of marine activity

8. Vessels and waters to which Act applies

9. Act does not apply to Defence Force vessels

Part 2 Safety of navigation

12. Reckless, negligent, dangerous navigation

Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units.

13. Unreasonable interference by operation or use of vessel

14. Protection of navigation aids

15. Removal of obstructions in navigable waters

(4) The Harbour Master, on the advice or recommendation of the Authority

16. Regulation of aquatic activities in navigable waters

17. Regulations relating to safety of navigation

Part 3 Boating safety Alcohol and drugs

19. Application of Part

20. Prescribed concentrations of alcohol

(d) the high range prescribed concentration of alcohol is a reference to a

21. Operating vessel under influence of alcohol or other drug

22. Operating vessel or supervising juvenile with prescribed concentration of

23. Double jeopardy

24. Breath analysis and other related provisions

Part 4 Marine certificates

25. Types of marine certificates

Division 2 Grant of marine certificates and related matters

26. The Marine Registrar and Deputy Marine Registrar

is dependent on the opinion, belief or state of mind of the Registrar in relation to a

27. Grant of certificates and conditions