THE ASSEMBLY,RECALLING Article 15(j) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization
concerning the functions of the Assembly in relation to regulations and guidelines
concerning maritime safety and the prevention and control of marine pollution from ships,
RECALLING ALSO that regulations 1(9) and 9 of annex 1 to the International
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol
of 1978 relating thereto, recognize the need to protect the environment of the areas of the
Torres Strait and the Great North East Channel, prohibiting the discharge into the sea of
chemicals, oil or oily mixtures from ships in the vicinity of these areas,
BEING AWARE of the close relationship between the safety of navigation and the
prevention of pollution from ships,
BEING AWARE ALSO of the need to protect the vulnerable environment and
ecosystem of these areas, both of which lie in the Torres Strait Protected Zone and also
immediately to the north of the unique and particularly sensitive area of the Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park,
NOTING that the navigation of ships carrying substances harmful to the marine
environment through the Torres Strait and the Great North East Channel areas constitutes a
potential danger of pollution to this area due to the risk of grounding or collision,
NOTING ALSO that the routes through the Torres Strait and the Great North East
Channel area are difficult to navigate,
TAKING NOTE:
- of resolution 5 adopted by the International Conference on Marine Pollution, 1973, on intentional
pollution of the sea and accidental spillages,
- of resolution A.159(ES.IV): "Recommendation on pilotage",
- of MSC/Circ.158: "Control of ship's movements of chemical tankers and gas carriers", and
- of the subsequent adoption of:
- resolution A.619(15): "Use of pilotage services in the Torres Strait and Great Barrier Reef area",
- resolution MEPC.45(30), which applies to Australia's system of pilotage in respect of the inner
route of the Great Barrier Reef between the northern extreme of Cape York Peninsula (10° 41'
S) and 16° 40' S and in Hydrographers Passage,
1. RECOMMENDS that ships of 70 m in length and over and all loaded oil tankers,
chemical tankers or liquefied gas carriers, irrespective of size, use the pilotage services
licensed under Australian Commonwealth, State or Territory law, when navigating the
Torres Strait and the Great North East Channel between Booby Island (latitude 10° 36' S,
longitude 141° 54' E) and Bramble Cay (latitude 09° 09' S, longitude 143° 53' E);
2. REVOKES resolution A.619(15).