(1) Has his attention been drawn to the detention by the San Francisco Coast Guard in October 2000 of the oil tanker Neptune Dorado, with 30 safety and environment faults.

(2) Had the vessel sailed from Australia; if so, (a) when did it leave Australia and who (b) operated and (c) chartered the vessel.

(3) How long had the vessel been operating in Australian waters and under which flag was it operating.

(4) Has this vessel ever been issued with a Single or Continuing Voyage Permit by his Department; if so, when.

(5) Did the Australian Maritime Safety Authority conduct any inspections of the vessel; if so, (a) how many, (b) when and (c) were any safety breaches discovered.

(6) Has his attention been drawn to an oil spill on the deck of the tanker Humbolt Current in Melbourne; if so, (a) when did it occur, (b) what sum did the clean up cost, (c) were the costs recouped and (d) were any charges laid.

(7) Under which country is the Humbolt Current flagged.

(8) Has that vessel ever been issued with a Single or Continuing Voyage Permit by his Department, if so, when.

(1) Yes.

(2) Yes.

(a) Neptune Dorado loaded petroleum product at an offshore facility located in Australian waters and sailed for San Francisco on 20 August 2000.

(b) Neptune Dorado was operated by Polembros Shipping.

(c) The charterer of the Neptune Dorado for this voyage was Tosco, a petroleum refining company located in the USA.

(3) Neptune Dorado is a Singaporean flag tanker. On this voyage, it sailed from an overseas location to the offshore facility in Australian waters and then to San Francisco with the cargo of petroleum product. It did not visit any Australian ports during the voyage from the overseas location to the offshore facility or during the voyage to San Francisco.

(4) Yes. A single voyage permit was issued to the Neptune Dorado on 23 May 1994, and was valid for the voyage between Geelong and Sydney. It allowed the ship to carry domestic cargo between these nominated Australian ports.

(5) Yes.

(a) Three port State control inspections.

(b) September 1992, May 1994 and April 1995.

(c) Each inspection identified safety deficiencies. Following the inspection in September 1992, the ship was detained until serious safety deficiencies were rectified.

(6) No.

(7) Humbolt Current is registered in St Vincent and Grenadine.

(8) Yes. A single voyage permit was issued to the Humbolt Current on 16 April 1997, and was valid for the voyage between Brisbane and Fremantle. It allowed the ship to carry domestic cargo between these nominated Australian ports.