68Medical supplies

68 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, published by AMSA;

(b) the most recent edition of International medical guide for ships, published by WHO.

(2) The owner of a vessel to which paragraph 68(1)(a) applies may apply to AMSA, in accordance with section 8 of this Order, for approval to use an equivalent.

(3) For cargo that is classified as dangerous and is not included in the most recent edition of Medical first aid guide for use in accidents involving dangerous goods, 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 mentioned in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, published by the IMO, as in force from time to time;

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

(d) medical procedures to deal with the risks;

(e) antidotes for the substances.

Note The Medical first aid guide for use in accidents involving dangerous goods is published jointly by the IMO, WHO and the ILO. It is also known as the Chemicals Supplement to the International medical guide for ships, which is published by WHO.

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

(5) The owner of a vessel must ensure that:

(a) the medicine chest and medical equipment are properly maintained; and

(b) adequate medical supplies to treat a diseased or injured person are carried on board.

(6) The master of the vessel must ensure each of the following:

(a) an inspection of the medicine chest and medical equipment is carried out at least once every 12 months; and

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

(c) the expiry date of the medicine is easily read;

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

(e) the medicine is stored correctly;

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

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

(7) 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