{"id":"F2019L01463","name":"Marine Order 63 (Vessel reporting systems) 2019","slug":"marine-order-63-vessel-reporting-systems-2019","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":440296,"registerId":"F2019L01463-fast-fetch-1775955976394","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Marine Order 63 (Vessel reporting systems) 2019","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\nAMSA MO 2019/6\n\nMarine Order 63 (Vessel reporting systems) 2019\n\nI, Michael Kinley, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, make this Marine Order under subsection 342(1) of the Navigation Act 2012.\n\n7 November 2019\n\nMichael Kinley  Chief Executive Officer\n\n \n\nDivision 1 Preliminary\n\n1 Name of Marine Order\n\n1A Commencement\n\n1B Repeal of Marine Order 63 (Vessel reporting systems) 2015\n\n2 Purpose\n\n3 Power\n\n4 Definitions\n\n5 Geographic positions\n\n6 Application\n\nDivision 2 Reporting requirements and other matters\n\n7 Reporting requirements — MASTREP area\n\n8 Reporting requirements — REEFREP area\n\n9 Prescribed area\n\nSchedule 1 MASTREP area\n\nSchedule 2 REEFREP area\n\nSchedule 3 Reports for vessels — MASTREP area\n\nSchedule 4 Reports for vessels — REEFREP area\n\n \n\n \n\nDivision 1 Preliminary\n\n1 Name of Marine Order\n\n  This Marine Order is Marine Order 63 (Vessel reporting systems) 2019.\n\n1A Commencement\n\n  This Marine Order commences on 1 January 2020.\n\n1B Repeal of Marine Order 63 (Vessel reporting systems) 2015\n\n  Marine Order 63 (Vessel reporting systems) 2015 is repealed.\n\n2 Purpose\n\n (1) This Marine Order gives effect to:\n\n(a) Chapter 5 of the Annex to the SAR Convention; and\n\n(b) Regulation 11 of Chapter V of SOLAS.\n\n (2) This Marine Order establishes a system for the reporting of the movement of vessels in:\n\n(a) the MASTREP area; and\n\n(b) the REEFREP area.\n\n3 Power\n\n (1) The following provisions of the Navigation Act provide for this Marine Order to be made:\n\n(a) section 221 which provides that the regulations may provide for reporting requirements for foreign vessels that are in, entering or leaving a prescribed area, and for regulated Australian vessels in any area;\n\n(b) paragraph 340(1)(a) which provides that the regulations may give effect to SOLAS;\n\n(c) subsection 341(1) which provides that the regulations may provide for the imposition of penalties for a contravention of the regulations.\n\n (2) Subsection 339(1) of the Navigation Act provides for regulations to be made prescribing matters required or permitted to be prescribed, or that are necessary or convenient to be prescribed, for carrying out or giving effect to the Act.\n\n (3) Subsection 342(1) of the Navigation Act provides that AMSA may make a Marine Order about anything that must or may be made by the regulations.\n\n4 Definitions\n\n (1) In this Marine Order:\n\nAIS means the automatic identification system required by paragraph 19.2.4 of Chapter V of SOLAS to be fitted on a vessel.\n\nchemical tanker has the same meaning as in Regulation 1 of Chapter 1 of Annex II of MARPOL.\n\nGISIS means the IMO’s Global Integrated Shipping Information System.\n\nINF Code has the same meaning as in Regulation 14 of Chapter VII of SOLAS.\n\nJRCC Australia means AMSA’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre responsible for coordinating search and rescue across the Australian search and rescue region.\n\nlength of tow means the distance between the stern of a towing vessel and the after end of the towed vessel.\n\nMASTREP area means the area, for which JRCC Australia is responsible, described in IMO GISIS module Radiocommunications and Search and Rescue, as amended from time to time.\n\nNote   The MASTREP area is also described in the Admiralty List of Radio Signals.\n\noil tanker has the same meaning as in Regulation 1 of Chapter 1 of Annex 1 of MARPOL.\n\nrecognised mobile satellite service means any service which operates through a satellite system that is for use in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and recognised by the IMO.\n\nREEFREP area means the area for the mandatory ship reporting system mentioned in IMO Resolution MSC.52(66), as amended from time to time.\n\nREEFVTS means the service, authorised under Marine Order 64 (Vessel traffic services) 2013, known as the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Vessel Traffic Service.\n\nSAR Convention means the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979, as in force from time to time.\n\nUTC means coordinated universal time.\n\nNote 1   Some terms used in this Marine Order are defined in Marine Order 1 (Administration) 2013, including:\n\n- IMO\n- MARPOL\n- SOLAS.\n\n\nNote 2   Other terms used in this Marine Order are defined in the Navigation Act, including:\n\n- length overall\n- domestic commercial vessel\n- foreign vessel\n- regulated Australian vessel\n- vessel.\n\n\nNote 3   Information on obtaining copies of any IMO Resolution, IMO document or other document that is mentioned in this Marine Order is available from the AMSA website Marine Orders link at http://www.amsa.gov.au.\n\n (2) A visual representation of the MASTREP area is set out in Schedule 1.\n\n (3) A visual representation of the REEFREP area is set out in Schedule 2.\n\n5 Geographic positions\n\n  The position of a meridian of longitude or a parallel of latitude is by reference to the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84).\n\n6 Application\n\n (1) This Marine Order applies to the following vessels in the MASTREP area:\n\n(a) a regulated Australian vessel;\n\n(b) a foreign vessel from its arrival at its first port in Australia until its departure from its final port in Australia.\n\nNote   The MASTREP system helps AMSA to carry out its search and rescue functions. For this reason, domestic commercial vessels fitted with Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and AIS are also encouraged to participate in it whenever they are in the MASTREP area, even when it is not mandatory for them to do so.\n\n (2) This Marine Order applies to the following kinds of vessel that are in, or in the process of entering, the REEFREP area:\n\n(a) a vessel that is 50 metres or longer in length overall;\n\n(b) an oil tanker;\n\n(c) a chemical tanker;\n\n(d) a vessel carrying at least 200 m3 of oil, whether the oil is cargo or for use by the vessel;\n\n(e) a vessel to which the INF Code applies;\n\n(f) a vessel engaged in towing or pushing if:\n\n (i) it or the vessel being towed or pushed is a vessel mentioned in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e); or\n\n (ii) the length of tow is 150 metres or longer.\n\nDivision 2 Reporting requirements and other matters\n\n7 Reporting requirements — MASTREP area\n\n (1) For a vessel in the MASTREP area — the master of the vessel must ensure that reports are transmitted in accordance with Schedule 3.\n\nPenalty: 50 penalty units\n\n (2) An offence against subsection (1) is a strict liability offence.\n\n (3) A person is liable to a civil penalty if the person contravenes subsection (1).\n\nCivil penalty: 50 penalty units.\n\nNote   The publication MASTREP and Australian Mandatory Reporting Guide is available at the AMSA website: http://www.amsa.gov.au.\n\n8 Reporting requirements — REEFREP area\n\n (1) For a vessel that is in, or in the process of entering, the REEFREP area — the master of the vessel must ensure that reports are made to REEFVTS in accordance with Schedule 4.\n\nPenalty: 50 penalty units\n\n (2) An offence against subsection (1) is a strict liability offence.\n\n (3) A person is liable to a civil penalty if the person contravenes subsection (1).\n\nCivil penalty: 50 penalty units.\n\n9 Prescribed area\n\n  For the definition of prescribed area in subsection 221(3) of the Navigation Act:\n\n(a) the MASTREP area is prescribed; and\n\n(b) the REEFREP area is prescribed.\n\nSchedule 1 MASTREP area\n\n(subsection 4(2))\n\n![SARarea2013 (2)](image.002.jpeg)\n\nSchedule 2 REEFREP area\n\n(subsection 4(3))\n\n![C:\\Users\\exw01\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Temporary Internet Files\\Content.Word\\REEFREP area new MO 63.jpg](image.003.jpeg)\n\nSchedule 3 Reports for vessels — MASTREP area\n\n(subsection 7(1))\n\nPosition report\n\n1 Information to be included in position report\n\n  A position report must include the following information about the vessel:\n\n(a) identity;\n\n(b) type;\n\n(c) position;\n\n(d) course;\n\n(e) speed;\n\n(f) navigational status.\n\nNote   Regulation 19.2.4 of Chapter V of SOLAS requires AIS to provide this information.\n\n2 Position report to be transmitted by AIS\n\n (1) A position report must be transmitted by AIS.\n\n (2) The AIS must be operated in accordance with Regulation 19.2.4.7 of Chapter V of SOLAS.\n\nNote   Regulation 19.2.4.7 of Chapter V of SOLAS provides that AIS must be operated taking into account guidelines adopted by the IMO. Relevant guidelines are the Revised guidelines for the onboard operational use of shipborne automatic identification systems (AIS), adopted by IMO Resolution A.1106(29), as amended from time to time.\n\n (3) However, if the AIS malfunctions or the master of the vessel switches off the AIS for any safety or security reason, the position report must:\n\n(a) be given manually by:\n\n (i) VHF Radiotelephone on VHF channels in accordance with the vessel’s position and as mentioned in the table to subclause 6(1) of Schedule 4; or\n\n (ii) any other means of communication requested by JRCC Australia; and\n\n(b) be given hourly or as required by JRCC Australia; and\n\n(c) include the following information:\n\n (i) vessel name, call sign and IMO number;\n\n (ii) date and time (in UTC);\n\n (iii) current position (latitude and longitude);\n\n (iv) speed (vessel’s anticipated average speed in knots and tenths of a knot).\n\n \n\nSchedule 4 Reports for vessels — REEFREP area\n\n(section 8)\n\n1 Entry Report\n\n (1) An Entry Report must be made at least 1 hour before a vessel:\n\n(a) enters the REEFREP area; or\n\n(b) departs from a port in the REEFREP area.\n\n (2) The following information must be given in the Entry Report:\n\n(a) vessel name, call sign and IMO number;\n\n(b) date and time (in UTC);\n\n(c) current position (latitude and longitude);\n\n(d) date and estimated time (in UTC) of vessel’s entry to the REEFREP area;\n\n(e) the last port visited, the next port to be visited and the route being used;\n\n(f) speed (vessel’s anticipated average speed in knots and tenths of a knot);\n\n(g) draught fore and aft (in metres and decimals of metres);\n\n(h) position (latitude and longitude) of anticipated exit from the REEFREP area;\n\n(i) if the vessel is fitted with recognized mobile satellite service equipment — the primary satellite equipment mobile number, manufacturer and model;\n\n(j) vessel's satellite phone number;\n\n(k) cargo information including normal name of the cargo and whether cargo is classified as hazardous;\n\n(l) any of the matters required to be reported in accordance with clause 4;\n\n(m) vessel details including vessel type, length (metres) and gross tonnage.\n\n (3) For paragraph (2)(e):\n\n(a) a standard route plan must be nominated; and\n\n(b) any planned deviation from the standard route must be identified.\n\nNote   Standard route plans are set out in the REEFVTS User Guide available at the Maritime Safety Queensland website: http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Shipping. Standard route plans have been developed to enable vessels to communicate their intended route through the REEFREP area.\n\n2 Route Deviation Report\n\n (1) If there is a deviation from the route mentioned in the Entry Report, a Route Deviation Report must be made to REEFVTS within 15 minutes after the deviation takes place.\n\nNote   The Route Deviation Report should be made before the deviation occurs, if possible.\n\n (2) The Route Deviation Report must contain the following information:\n\n(a) vessel name, call sign and IMO number;\n\n(b) date and time (in UTC);\n\n(c) next port to be visited and route being used;\n\n(d) draught fore and aft (in metres and decimals of metres).\n\n (3) For paragraph 221(2)(e) of the Navigation Act, a deviation occurs if a vessel uses a leg that is different to a leg of the route stated in the Entry Report.\n\n3 Position Reports\n\n (1) If a vessel is transiting the REEFREP area, Position Reports must be given to REEFVTS.\n\n (2) Position Reports must be given using AIS in accordance with Regulation 19.2.4.7 of Chapter V of SOLAS.\n\nNote   Regulation 19.2.4.7 of Chapter V of SOLAS provides that AIS must be operated taking into account guidelines adopted by the IMO. Relevant guidelines are mentioned in Schedule 3.\n\n (3) The following information must be given in the Position Report:\n\n(a) vessel name, call sign and IMO number;\n\n(b) vessel type;\n\n(c) current position (latitude and longitude);\n\n(d) course;\n\n(e) speed (vessel’s anticipated average speed in knots and tenths of a knot);\n\n(f) navigational status.\n\n (4)  However, if the AIS malfunctions or the master of the vessel switches off the AIS for any safety or security reason, the position report must:\n\n(a) be given manually by:\n\n (i) VHF Radiotelephone on VHF channels in accordance with the vessel’s position and as mentioned in the table to subclause 6(1); or\n\n (ii) any other means of communication requested by REEFVTS; and\n\n(b) be given hourly or as required by REEFVTS; and\n\n(c) include the following information:\n\n (i) vessel name, call sign and IMO number;\n\n (ii) date and time (in UTC);\n\n (iii) current position (latitude and longitude);\n\n (iv) speed (vessel’s anticipated average speed in knots and tenths of a knot).\n\nNote   See subparagraph 4(2)(d)(ii) for defect reporting requirements if AIS malfunctions.\n\n4 Defect Report\n\n (1) A Defect Report that includes the information mentioned in subclause (2) must be given to REEFVTS if a vessel in the REEFREP area:\n\n(a) suffers damage, failure or breakdown affecting the safety of the vessel; or\n\n(b) deviates because of damage, failure or breakdown; or\n\n(c) is required, under the Navigation Act or the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983, to report:\n\n (i) safety related information; or\n\n (ii) an incident involving dangerous goods, harmful substances or marine pollutants.\n\n (2) The information is the following:\n\n(a) vessel name, call sign and IMO number;\n\n(b) current position (latitude and longitude) and date and time (in UTC);\n\n(c) speed (vessel’s anticipated average speed until next report, in knots and tenths of a knot);\n\n(d) description and details of any damage, failure or breakdown suffered, including:\n\n (i) collision, grounding, fire, explosion, structural failure, flooding or cargo shifting; and\n\n (ii) failure or breakdown of steering gear, propulsion plant, electrical generating system or essential shipborne navigational aids;\n\n(e) details, using recognised IMO reporting formats, of:\n\n (i) safety messages including on matters such as navigational safety, abnormal weather or unserviceable aids to navigation; and\n\n (ii) incident reports involving dangerous goods, harmful substances or marine pollutants.\n\n5 Final Report\n\n (1) A Final Report must be given to REEFVTS when a vessel is:\n\n(a) exiting the REEFREP area; and\n\n(b) arriving at a port in the REEFREP area.\n\n (2) The Final Report must include the following information:\n\n(a) name, call sign and IMO number of vessel;\n\n(b) the position (latitude and longitude) and date and time (in UTC) of vessel’s exit from the REEFREP area;\n\n(c) if arriving at a port in the REEFREP area — the position (latitude and longitude) and date and time (in UTC) of arrival at the port.\n\n6 Reporting method\n\n  In this Schedule:\n\n (1) A report mentioned in this Schedule must be made by one of the following methods:\n\n(a) AIS;\n\n(b) recognised mobile satellite service;\n\n(c) VHF Radiotelephone — on VHF channels in accordance with the vessel’s position and as mentioned in the following table:\n\n| Latitude from: | Latitude to: | VHF Channel |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 9 00´ S | 13 30´ S | 14 |\n| 13 30´ S | 18 00´ S | 11 |\n| 18 00´ S | 20 00´ S | 14 |\n| 20 00´ S | 22 00´ S | 11 |\n| 22 00´ S | 24 30´ S | 14 |\n\n\n(d) on telephone number +61 1300 721 293;\n\n(e) on fax number +61 7 4721 0633;\n\n(f) by email: reefvts@vtm.qld.gov.au.\n\nNote for paragraph (b)   Messages sent by Inmarsat-C may use special access code (SAC) 861 through POR LES (212). This service is free of charge.\n\nNote for paragraph (c)   REEFVTS is operational 24 hours a day.\n\n (2) However, subclause (1) does not apply to Position Reports.\n\n (3) The language to be used for reporting is English, using the IMO Standard Marine Communications Phrases.\n\n (4) If failure of a vessel’s equipment prevents reporting, an entry must be made:\n\n(a) for radio equipment — in the vessel’s radio log book; and\n\n(b) for other equipment — in the vessel’s official logbook.\n\nNote\n\n1. All legislative instruments and compilations of legislative instruments are registered on the Federal Register of Legislation under the Legislation Act 2003. See https://www.legislation.gov.au.\n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Order repeals Marine Order 63 (2015) (s1B) and re‑establishes mandatory reporting for MASTREP and REEFREP to give effect to SOLAS and the SAR Convention (s2). The instrument itself does not state an express expansion or contraction of the classes of vessels required to report; it sets the applicable vessel categories (s6) and the report content/methods (Schedules 3–4). Determining a material change in scope would require side‑by‑side comparison with the 2015 Order, which is not contained in this text."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross‑references to international instruments (SOLAS, SAR Convention, MARPOL) and IMO documents that are incorporated by reference (s2; s4(1) notes)","Interplay with the Navigation Act and other Marine Orders (authorising provisions in s3; application and defined terms in s6 and notes)","Distinct reporting regimes and detailed report types across two areas (MASTREP and REEFREP) with separate schedules specifying content, timing and methods (Schedules 3 and 4)","Strict liability offences and parallel civil penalties for breaches (s7(2)–(3); s8(2)–(3)) increasing legal/compliance risk profile for masters and operators","Technical operational requirements for AIS and fallback/manual reporting, including precise data fields and operation standards tied to SOLAS provisions (Schedule 3 cl 2; Schedule 4 cll 1–4)","Geographic specificity and use of WGS84 plus external maps in Schedules 1–2, creating reliance on external geographic materials for compliance (s5; s4(2)–(3); Schedules 1–2)","Operational discretion and reporting recipients — JRCC Australia and REEFVTS are named recipients with authority to require formats/timings (definitions in s4; reporting obligations in s7–s8 and Schedule 4)","Multiple permitted reporting channels (AIS, satellite, VHF by latitude bands, telephone, fax, email) and language/format rules (Schedule 4 cl 6)","Reference to external guidance (MASTREP guide, REEFVTS User Guide) that affects practical compliance though not reproduced in the instrument (Notes to Schedules)"],"plain_english_summary":"Establishes mandatory vessel‑reporting systems (MASTREP and REEFREP), specifying which vessels must report, what information they must provide, how to send reports (AIS, VHF, satellite, phone, email) and timing. It applies to regulated Australian vessels and foreign vessels in Australian waters, and to specified classes of vessels in the Reef area. Failure to report attracts strict‑liability offences and civil penalties. The Order implements SOLAS and the SAR Convention and sets operational detail for search‑and‑rescue and traffic monitoring."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation appears consistent with its original purpose. It implements Australia's international obligations under SOLAS and the SAR Convention, and maintains the established MASTREP and REEFREP systems. The 2019 version is a re-enactment replacing the 2015 version (section 1B) without apparent expansion beyond vessel reporting for search and rescue and Great Barrier Reef protection purposes."},"complexity_factors":["Moderate cross-referencing to international conventions (SOLAS, SAR Convention, MARPOL) and IMO resolutions that are incorporated by reference and 'as amended from time to time'","14 defined terms in section 4, with additional terms defined in other Marine Orders and the Navigation Act","Two distinct regulatory schemes (MASTREP and REEFREP) with different reporting requirements, geographic scopes, and affected vessel classes","Conditional reporting requirements with nested exceptions — for example, the default AIS requirement with manual reporting fallback if AIS malfunctions or is switched off for safety/security reasons","Detailed technical specifications in schedules including specific VHF channels by latitude, required data fields for each report type, and communication protocols","Dual penalty structure (criminal offence and civil penalty) for each reporting requirement"],"plain_english_summary":"This Marine Order creates two mandatory ship-reporting systems: MASTREP, a search-and-rescue tracking regime requiring vessels to keep AIS active (or send hourly radio positions if AIS is off), and REEFREP, a traffic-control scheme for the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait requiring pre-entry reports, timely route and position updates, and immediate incident notifications. \n\nIt affects Australian and visiting commercial ships (MASTREP) and larger/hazardous-cargo vessels and big tugs in reef waters (REEFREP). Compliance aids rescues and prevents pollution; breaches risk fines up to 50 penalty units (~$11,000)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/marine-order-63-vessel-reporting-systems-2019","history":"/api/acts/marine-order-63-vessel-reporting-systems-2019/history","analysis":"/api/acts/marine-order-63-vessel-reporting-systems-2019/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/marine-order-63-vessel-reporting-systems-2019/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/marine-order-63-vessel-reporting-systems-2019/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/marine-order-63-vessel-reporting-systems-2019/documents"}}