(1)   In respect of the vessel Capitaine Tasman (IMO Number 9210725), (a) has it ever operated in Australian waters under a single or continuous voyage permit; if so, when, (b) does it operate a regular service through Australian ports, (c) does it have an approved security plan which complies with the International Ship and Port Facility Code (ISPS), (d) has the Office of Transport Security ever had any concerns in relation to the security of this vessel, and (e) has it ever been boarded and inspected by the (i) Office of Transport Security and (ii) AMSA officials; if so, when.

(2)   Was the Office of Transport Security aware that the crew of this vessel was denied access to shore leave when the ship arrived in Australia on 17 February 2005.

(3)   Can he confirm that the denial of shore leave for the crew of this vessel was a breach of Australia’s obligations under the ISPS.

(4)   Was the denial of shore leave in any way related to security concerns in respect of (a) the vessel and (b) any of the crew.

(5)   Is the Office of Transport Security aware of any current security alerts regarding the ISPS for ports in Fiji.

(1)  

(a)   My Department’s records indicate that coasting trade permits were held by the Capitaine Tasman in the period July 2000 to June 2001.

(b)   Published information indicates that the Capitaine Tasman is part of a regular liner cargo shipping service through Australian ports.

(c)   According to the available records the vessel has a current International Ship Security Certificate and therefore would have a ship security plan registered with its Flag state.

(d)   The OTS Operations Centre has security compliance assessed this vessel on nine occasions; 04.7.2004, 26.7.2004, 31.8.2004, 17.9.2004, 06.12.2004, 3.11.2004, 06.1.2005, 14.2.2005, 15.3.2005.  The assessments raised no security concerns. (e)   (i) The OTS Operations Centre has not issued any Maritime Security Tasking Requests to inspect this vessel.

(e) (i)   The OTS Operations Centre has not issued any Maritime Security Tasking Requests to inspect this vessel.

(ii)   AMSA records inspections of the ship on the following dates: 4.1.2002, 22.2.2002, 27.3.2002, 6.4.2002, 26.4.2002, 25.6.2002, 24.7.2002, 25.9.2002, 27.11.2002, 25.3.2003, 29.5.2003, 26.9.2003, 27.11.2003, 2.4.2004, 4.10.2004, 7.10.2004 and 8.11.2004.

(2)   On 17.2.2005, the OTS’s Operations Centre received a call from an Australian representative from the International Transport Federation. The caller was querying as to why crew had been restricted on board the vessel on 16.2.2005 at the port of Brisbane.

(3)   The ISPS Code provides that security plans must address procedures for facilitating shore leave for ships’ personnel.  It does not guarantee it.  All security plans approved by the Australian Government meet this requirement of the ISPS Code. (4)   (a) No. (b) The denial of shore leave was a decision made by DIMIA under the Migration Act.

(4) (a)   No. (b) The denial of shore leave was a decision made by DIMIA under the Migration Act.

(5)   OTS is not aware of any current security alerts regarding the ISPS Code for Fijian ports.