69Medical supplies

69 Medical supplies

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

(a) a medicine chest that is kept in the manner mentioned in the latest edition of Medical carriage requirements, published by AMSA; and

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

(2) For cargo that is classified as dangerous and is not included in the latest edition of Medical first aid guide for use in accidents involving dangerous goods, published by WHO, information about all of the following must be available to seafarers:

(a) the nature of substances in the cargo;

(b) the risks for the cargo as mentioned in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code;

(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 regulated Australian 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 regulated Australian 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 a regulated Australian 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 is monitored;

(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 regulated Australian 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.

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