63Medical supplies

63 Medical supplies

(1) For subsections 66(1) and 67(1) of the Navigation Act, the vessel must be provided with:

(a) a medicine chest with at least the medicines, medical and surgical stores and appliances and antiscorbutics, and kept in the manner, mentioned in the most recent edition of Medical carriage requirements on regulated Australian vessels, published by AMSA;

(b) the most recent edition of International Medical Guide for Ships, published by the World Health Organization.

(2) For a cargo that is classified as dangerous and is not included in the most recent edition of International Medical Guide for Ships, published by the World Health Organization, information about all of the following must be available to seafarers:

(a) the nature of substances in the cargo;

(b) the risks mentioned for the cargo as prescribed in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, published by the International Maritime Organization, as in force from time to time;

(c) personal protective devices necessary to avoid the risks;

(d) medical procedures to deal with the risks;

(e) antidotes for the substances.

(3) The owner of a vessel must ensure that the antidotes and personal protective devices mentioned in subsection (2) are available on board when dangerous goods are carried.

Penalty: 50 penalty units.

(4) The owner of a vessel must ensure that the medicine chest and medical equipment are properly maintained.

Penalty: 50 penalty units.

(5) The master of the vessel must inspect the medicine chest and medical equipment at least once every 12 months and check each of the following:

(a) that the labelling of medicine is correct and easily read;

(b) that the expiry date of the medicine is correct and easily read;

(c) that the expiry date of the medicine has not been reached;

(d) the medicine is stored correctly;

(e) the directions for the use of medicine are easily read;

(f) that the medical equipment is in good condition and functioning correctly.

Penalty: 50 penalty units.

(6) The owner of a vessel must ensure that expired medical supplies are replaced by the earlier of:

(a) arrival at the next port of call at which medical supplies may be replaced; or

(b) within 3 months after their expiry dates.

Penalty: 50 penalty units.

(7) An offences against subsection (3), (4), (5) or (6) is a strict liability offence.

(8) A person is liable to a civil penalty if the person contravenes subsection (1).