Preventive security arrangements for Australian offshore facilities are regulated under the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 and the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Regulations 2003. (Consolidations of this legislation may be found at: www.comlaw.gov.au).
This legislation provides a framework for operators of certain offshore facilities, ports, and ships, and a range of associated service providers, to undertake security risk assessments and implement preventive security plans.
These security plans set out the security measures and procedures to be implemented to safeguard maritime transport and offshore facilities against acts of unlawful interference. Security plans also identify security measures to be used when different maritime security levels are in force.
The Office of Transport Security within the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government is responsible for assessing and approving these plans.
Organisations involved with offshore oil and gas production need to be aware of this legislation. In particular, these organisations should assess at an early stage whether any of their activities are likely to be covered by the requirement to prepare and submit a security plan.
Approval of security plans can take up to 90 days, and it is an offence for an offshore industry participant to operate without an approved security plan in force when one is required. Even if an industry participant is not required to have its own plan it may be affected by another's plan.
Further information on offshore facility security matters is available at:
Website: www.infrastructure.gov.au/transport/security/oil_and_gas/
or by contacting the Office of Transport Security by:
E-mail: Transport.Security@infrastructure.gov.au, with attention to Offshore Oil and Gas.
Telephone:
Security: 1300 307 288
From outside Australia : +61 2 6274 8187.
Cabotage: 1300 307 761.
From outside Australia : +61 2 6274 8189.