Centre for Maritime Safety Partners

Partners of the Centre for Maritime Safety include a range of government, industry and community stakeholders across Australia and internationally.

They assist in consultation, planning and review of policy and legislation to improve boating safety and waterway access and infrastructure.

Their engagement includes roles on advisory groups, coordination of events and the provision of expert advice.

Maritime Advisory Council

The Maritime Advisory Council was established under the Ports and Maritime Administration Act 1995 (NSW) to provide expert and independent advice to the Minister for Transport on marine legislation, maritime safety and expenditure priorities.

The Council provides diverse representation across the recreational boating, commercial vessel and maritime property sectors. Members are appointed for their expertise as individuals, rather than as representatives of organisations.

The current Council was appointed in December 2023. Members are:

  • Darren Vaux (Chair)
  • Shannon O'Brien
  • John Barbouttis
  • Adam Smith
  • Anthony Haworth
  • Janice Thurgar
  • Emma Humphries
  • Graham Peachey
  • Jackie Parry
  • Steve Hatch

 

Advisory groups

Advisory Council groups

Expert Maritime advisory groups have been established to provide advice to Transport for NSW on a range of maritime issues. These groups also consider matters referred by the Maritime Advisory Council.

They include

  • Maritime Property Advisory Group (MPAG)
  • Recreational Vessel Advisory Group (RVAG)
  • Commercial Vessel Advisory Group (CVAG)

A separate process has recently been undertaken to seek new members for the Recreational Vessel Advisory Group and Commercial Vessel Advisor Group. Further information is available on the Recreational Vessel Advisory Group and Commercial Vessel Advisor Group webpages.

Australian Recreational Boating Safety Committee (ARBSC)

The ARBSC aims to improve recreational boating safety.

The establishment of ARBSC will make sure the valuable work in the area of recreational boating safety is continued at a national level, particularly in relation to:

  • national recreational boating incident data collection
  • analysis of data to identify risks to recreational boating safety
  • assessment of the causes and impact of marine safety incidents
  • development of effective national responses to identified risks and impacts
  • development of uniform approaches to standards, policies and procedures
  • development and implementation of targeted national safety campaigns.

    Australia New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group (ANZSBEG)

    ANZSBEG aims to identify national safe boating issues and suggests coordinated solutions.

    The group was established in 1994 following a national review into safe recreational boating and boating safety education undertaken by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

    The objective of the group is to identify national safe boating issues, address them through coordinated public education strategies and provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and knowledge.

    For more information, visit the ANZSBEG website.

    Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)

    AMSA is responsible for ensuring the safety of vessels and the seafarers onboard, operating in the Australian domestic commercial industry.

    The National System for Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety is the framework within which the domestic commercial industry operates. On 1 July 2013, AMSA became the National Regulator of the framework and is responsible for the National System.

    Transport for NSW, as Delegates of AMSA, is responsible for the face-to-face operations of the National System in NSW.

    For more information, visit the AMSA website.

      Marine Estate Management Authority (MEMA)

      The Marine Estate Management Authority (MEMA) was established in response to the Independent Scientific Audit of Marine Parks, commissioned by the NSW Government in 2011. The key role of the Authority is to set the strategic direction and priorities for the NSW marine estate through a Marine Estate Management Strategy.

      In December 2014, the Marine Estate Management Act 2014 established MEMA as an advisory body and set the direction for its work which is underpinned by evidence of the social, economic and environmental aspects of the marine estate. MEMA will provide a coordinated approach to better manage the NSW marine estate as a single continuous system. Transport for NSW is a member of MEMA.

      For more information about the Marine Estate Management Strategy and other MEMA initiatives, visit the NSW Marine Estate website.

      Documents

      Terms of Reference

      Minutes

      Contact us

      For further information about this project, please contact:

      Email: maritime@transport.nsw.gov.au