Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

BIOSECURITY ACT 2015 - SECT 299A

Report of disposal of sediment must be made to Director of Biosecurity

  (1)   The person in charge or the operator of a vessel must make a report to the Director of Biosecurity if:

  (a)   the vessel disposes of sediment in Australian territorial seas; and

  (b)   the disposal is:

  (i)   for the purpose of ensuring the safety of the vessel in an emergency or saving life at sea; or

  (ii)   accidental; or

  (iii)   for the purpose of avoiding or minimising pollution from the vessel.

  (2)   The report must:

  (a)   set out the reason for the disposal of the sediment; and

  (b)   be made as soon as practicable, and in any case within 24 hours, after a member of the vessel's crew becomes aware of the disposal.

Strict liability offence

  (3)   A person commits an offence of strict liability if:

  (a)   the person is the person in charge or the operator of a vessel; and

  (b)   a report under subsection   (1) is required to be made in relation to the vessel; and

  (c)   the report is not made in accordance with this section.

Penalty for contravention of this subsection:   120 penalty units.