All commercial operators in the North east are invited to the AMSA Safety Management System (SMS) Workshop commencing at 10:00 am on the 5th of November.

Please find attached a flyer for the upcoming Safety Management System workshops in Tasmania.

I encourage you to come along to learn about your SMS obligations and how to improve the safety of your operation.

To date, AMSA has taken a more educative approach to safety management system (SMS) compliance but is now issuing deficiencies and compliance notices where operators do not have an SMS, or their SMS does not meet AMSA’s requirements.

Common issues that our Marine Inspectors come across include:

·        lack of, or poor risk assessments,

·        operators not following their SMS,

·        lack of evidence of crew training and induction,

·        lack of regular SMS review,

·        and even a lack of SMS altogether (you can expect a Prohibition Notice if this is found for your operation)

These workshops will cover the benefits of having a successful SMS for your operation, how you can improve your SMS, as well as what AMSA looks for when checking your SMS. Whilst the workshops focus more on Class 3 operators, all operators and crew are welcome. If you have someone such as a partner or friend who helps you with your SMS please encourage them to attend also.

Go to www.amsa.gov.au/sms-workshops-registration to register your interest to attend a workshop or ring AMSA Connect 1800 627 484.

Members of St Helens Marine Rescue and partners are invited to attend the 2019 Annual General Meeting Sunday the 22nd of September commencing at 11:00 am.

Business: President’s Report, Financial Report, Operations Report, Election of Office Bearers, Appointment of Auditor, Appointment of Publicity Officer.

The meeting will be followed by a sausage sizzle and celebration cuppa.

Urgent message to local recreational fishers from MAST.Marine and Safety Tasmania – MAST19 June at 11:25 ·

Binalong Bay Boat Ramp Closure

Marine and Safety Tasmania wishes to advise the Binalong Bay boat ramp will be closed from 24 June until and possibly including October 2019 to allow for construction of a breakwater.

Alternative launching seaward of the St Helens Barway is available at Burns Bay, located at the end of St Helens Point Road.

For more information contact Jim Caulfield on 6235 8888 or 0419 120 209.