A new risk-based standard for domestic fast craft in Australia

Abstract

The last 30 years has seen the development and widespread use of commercial craft that operate at speed. This paper gives an overview of the new standard for domestic Fast Craft that has been developed by the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments of Australia as part of the National Standard for Commercial Vessels. The reasons for the new standard are first explained with reference to a set of overarching strategic principles. Existing standards for similar vessels are examined, with reasons given as to why they have not been simply adopted. The distinction between a Fast Craft and a High-speed Craft is highlighted and a Category F2 Fast Craft defined. An explanation is given as to the methodology used to develop the standard including the roles of incident statistics, the High-speed Craft Code, a risk management workshop, and stakeholder input via reference groups and public comment. A description is given of the structure of the fast craft standard and how it is to be used in conjunction with the standards for conventional vessels. The incrementalist approach is introduced and its practical application to grade requirements within the standard demonstrated by example. Substantive changes to the standard that resulted from public comment are described. The cost of implementing the requirements in the public comment draft and the final standard are then examined and compared.

Keywords:

• High-speed craft
• fast ferry
• Australian domestic commercial vessel standards

Additional information

Notes on contributors

M Flapan

Mori Flapan is the Technical Adviser for Marine Technology to the National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC). He managed the new Part A, Part B, Part C Subsections 4 Fire Safety and 5A Engineering and Part F Section1 Fast Craft of the National Standard for Commercial Vessels. His current projects include Part C Subsections 6A and 6B Intact Stability; as well as Section 4 Vessel Surveys of the National Standard for the Administration of Marine Safety.

A naval architect with a diploma in law, Mori has worked for private ship design firms and for a government survey authority. His experience includes three years with M. J. Doherty and Co, designers of oil rig supply vessels, tugs and bulk carriers, and three years with Hercus Marine Designs working on the safety aspects of high speed car and passenger only ferries and trawlers. For eight years, he was naval architect and later senior naval architect surveyor for the Waterways Authority of NSW. For 20 years, Mori was involved both professionally and at a voluntary level in the restoration and operation of the historic ships of the Sydney Heritage Fleet.