Australian Vessel Medical Chest Regulations
Under maritime regulations, marine vessels must carry certain quantities of scheduled medicines to ensure that medical treatment is available should unexpected medical problems or emergencies occur.
The Navigation Act 2012 (Cwlth) and Maritime Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act (National Law) specify the minimum requirements including the type and quantity of medicines a vessel must carry based on the vessel’s class and scale
Vessels are required to carry the medical equipment and supplies specified as applicable to the vessel, dependant on its class and operating area. The table below identifies the scales applicable to vessel class and operational area.
|
Vessel Use and Operational Area |
Class and Scale for Passenger Vessels |
Class and Scale for Non-Passenger Vessels |
Class and Scale for Fishing Vessels |
|
Unlimited Domestic Operations (greater than 200nm) |
Class 1A
Marine Order 11 (Living and working conditions on vessels) 2013 |
Class 2A
Marine Order 11 (Living and working conditions on vessels) 2013 |
Class 3A
Marine Order 11 (Living and working conditions on vessels) 2013 |
|
Offshore Operations (up to 200nm) |
Class 1B - Scale D |
Class 2B - Scale E |
Class 3B - Scale E |
|
Restricted Offshore Operations |
Class 1C
Berthed Passengers - Scale E Unberthed Passengers - Scale F |
Class 2C - Scale F |
Class 3C - Scale F |
|
Partially Smooth Water Operations (areas defined by jurisdictions) |
Class 1D
Berthed Passengers - Scale F Unberthed Passengers - Scale G |
Class 2D - Scale G |
Class 3D - Scale G |
|
Smooth Water Operations |
Class 1E Berthed Passengers - Scale F Unberthed Passengers - Scale G |
Class 2E - Scale G |
Class 3E - Scale G |
|
Time period in which medical assistance can be obtained |
Scale |
|
2 hours |
Scale G |
|
6 hours |
Scale F |
|
12 hours |
Scales E and D |
First Aid Kits for Australian Domestic Commercial Vessels
All domestic commercial vessels operating within Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone are required to meet the National Standard for Commercial Vessels - 7A Safety and Equipment as prescribed by the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012.
The National Law replaces eight federal, state and territory laws with a single law for the safety of all commercial vessels and their crew in Australian waters. It sets the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) for: construction, operation and seafarer qualifications. It also establishes AMSA as the single national regulator for commercial vessel safety.
Vessel Medic can provide vessels with the complete medical first aid kit requirements, including scheduled medicines and medical supplies or the replacement of expired stock.
First Aid Requirements for Regulated Australian Vessels
The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006 outlines standards for the medical care of seafarers whilst employed or engaged on a vessel. Implementation of these standards on Regulated Australian vessels occurs under the Navigation Act 2012 (Commonwealth) Chapter 2 (Division 3) and Marine Order 11 (Living and working conditions on vessels) 2015.
Regulated Australian vessels must be equipped with a medicine chest that contains medicines and medical supplies that would allow an appropriately trained person to treat injuries and illnesses on board the vessel until a patient can be transferred to recieve care from a medical practitioner.
Regulated Australian vessel’s must carry the scale of medicines and medical equipment appropriate to the vessel’s usual voyage category described below:
Category A |
Vessel on unlimited voyages where medical supplies can be restocked if necessary. |
Category B |
Vessel on short voyages not extending more than 150 nautical miles from the nearest port with emergency medical facilities. This may be extended to 200 nautical miles if the vessel is continuously within range of helicopter rescue services. |
Category C |
Vessel operating in smooth or partially smooth waters within short range of emergency medical facilities. |
-
Additional requirements for cargo vessels at least 500GT and for all passenger vessels: Marine Order 25 (Equipment — lifesaving) 2014: Schedule 1
Regulated Australian vessel carrying livestock for export
Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 2011 published by The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Foreign Vessels
(Foreign flag state vessels operating in Australian waters): International Medical Guide for Ships, Third Edition published by the World Health Organisation
Racing Yachts
Australian Sailing has published the Special Regulations, Part 1 for Racing Boats Effective 1 July 2021 containing The 2021-2024 Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) of the International Sailing Federation and the Prescriptions and Special Regulations (SR) of Australian Sailing -
This publication defines the race categories and the corresponding requirements for the basic Medical Kit, including the medications to be carried on board yachts, when competing in a race of each category. See Item 4.07 MEDICAL KIT AND MANUAL of the Australian Sailing SR Part 1 Section 4.
Vessel Medic supplies medical kits that are compliant with all categories of events.