We have been advised that all Australian maritime industry participants, including regulated Australian ship operators, must submit their security plans by 1^st March 2004 to the Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS).The maritime Transport Security Act 2003 defines a regulated Australian ship as:1  A passenger ship (carrying more than 12 passengers) that is used for overseas or interstate voyages;2  A cargo ship of 500 or more gross tonnage that is used for overseas or interstate voyages;3  A mobile offshore drilling unit that is on an overseas or interstate voyage (other than a unit that is attached to the seabed);4  A ship of a kind prescribed in the regulations.Plans submitted to DOTARS will then be reviewed. If they are approved a notification will then be sent to the IMO. Groups which do not submit a plan in time run the risk of being non-compliant with the new security regulations, which could result in additional security measures and costs if they are to participate in international trade after 1^st July 2004.Source of information: 

Marine Notice 2/2004

AMSA

DOTARS