Australia

REEFREP Reporting System

On 1 December 2004 the new REEFREP mandatory reporting system came into force for vessels sailing through the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait areas off Queensland, Australia.

The purpose of REEFREP is to enhance navigational safety in these areas to minimise the risk of maritime incidents and pollution or other damage to the sensitive marine environment. REEFREP reports are to be made by all ships of 50m in length or over, and all oil, liquefied gas and chemical tankers and any ship which comes within the INF Code (which relates to irradiated nuclear fuels), regardless of their length.

Ships transiting the REEFREP area are required to lodge a pre-entry report with 'REEFCENTRE' at Hay Point two hours before they enter the area, and must provide a route plan at least one hour before entry. Whilst transiting the area ships are required to issue automatic position updates via their Inmarsat-C facilities.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has said that REEFREP will significantly enhance navigational safety by improving the frequency and accuracy of information regarding ship traffic in the area. Compliance with the new system should not prove much of a burden on visiting vessels as, prior to its formal introduction, 70% of vessels transiting the area had been making reports voluntarily.