Vessel Operations and Seamanship SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers vessel operations and seamanship activities from pre-start planning and boarding through manoeuvring, transfers, onboard duties and shutdown. It supports planning, coordination and risk management for changing conditions, vessel movements, equipment and onboard work.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan vessel work, weather considerations, fatigue and coordination with shore activities
• Set up access and gangways, and manage boarding controls
• Complete security and boarding checks
• Inspect plant and machinery before operation
• Manage departure and restricted manoeuvring
• Undertake mooring and anchoring activities
• Coordinate crew and passenger transfers
• Manage offshore and heavy-weather operations
• Carry out bilge, ballast and engine room duties
• Handle stores, waste and inventory
• Coordinate ship-to-ship transfer activities
• Test watertight doors, then complete return, shutdown and handover

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out vessel operations and seamanship activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• WHS Act 2011 s19 Primary duty of care; s27 Due diligence; s28 Duties of workers; s46 Consultation with other duty holders.
• WHS Regulations Part 3.1 rr34-39 hazard identification, risk management, hierarchy of control, maintenance, review and training/instruction.
• WHS Regulations rr42-48 first aid, emergency plans, PPE and remote or isolated work.
• WHS Regulations rr54-55 falling objects; Part 4 rr78-80 falls management and rescue procedures.
• WHS Regulations Part 4.1 rr56-58 noise; Part 4.2 r60 hazardous manual tasks.
• WHS Regulations Part 4.3 rr65-77 confined spaces where entry to tanks or voids occurs.
• WHS Regulations Chapter 5 and plant duties including rr214-215 powered mobile plant where forklifts, cranes or mobile loading plant are used.
• WHS Regulations r299 SWMS required where the work is high risk construction work, including near water with risk of drowning, adjacent traffic corridors, powered mobile plant movement, confined space, energised services and diving work where applicable.
• Code of Practice: Construction Work, including shared duties and SWMS requirements.
• Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace.
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces.
• Code of Practice: Managing Risks in Stevedoring, including vessel inspection, gangways, walkways and edge protection.
• Code of Practice: Confined Spaces.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections