MINISTER CONGRATULATES QUEENSLAND TRANSPORT ON NATIONAL INDUSTRY

Queensland Transport and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) have received a prestigious national award for their joint development of the Mandatory Ship Reporting System (SRS) for the Torres Strait and Great Barrier Reef.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Vaughan Johnson today praised the Queensland Transport personnel involved in the development of the SRS, which took out the Chartered Institute of Transport's 1997 Australian Transport Industry Award.

Queensland Transport Director-General Bruce Wilson today accepted the Award on behalf of Queensland Transport at a ceremony in Brisbane.

Mr Johnson said that the SRS, which commenced operation on January 1, 1997, utilises radio and computer technology in monitoring the movement of ships along 2,700 kilometres of Queensland's coastline.

"A small team located at the REEFCENTRE at Hay Point, near Mackay, provide ship's Masters with the information needed to safely navigate these environmentally significant and potentially treacherous waters," said Mr Johnson.

He said that the monitoring and reporting area spans some 350,000 square kilometres, from the Torres Strait to the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef.

"All ships longer than 50 metres and those carrying bulk hazardous cargo are required to identify themselves and their cargo upon entering the reporting area."

The ships are required to make regular position reports via direct radio contact when passing designated waypoints. Their location, intended route and speed are logged into a computer system which predicts and charts their movements within the reporting area.

The system provides a surface picture of ship movements and QT staff can alert ships to looming navigational problems.

The system's network of radar installations can warn of the presence of ships which have failed to report their presence in the area. This enables QT staff 2to contact the Masters of the ships to remind them of their reporting responsibilities and provide them with information relevant to their safe transit of the reef or Torres Strait.

This is the world's first mandatory ship reporting system. Other similar systems rely on voluntary participation by ships.

"The Mandatory Ship Reporting System now plays a key role in protecting the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait from the risk of ship-sourced pollution," Mr Johnson said.

"Not only does it allow us to reduce the risk of ship collisions and groundings, but it enables us to notify the appropriate response agencies quickly in the event of a marine incident.

"No longer are certain ships able to traverse Queensland waters unannounced. The Ship Reporting System is helping to preserve one of Australia's most famous and cherished natural assets for present and future generations," he said.

Mr Johnson praised individual members of the team for their dedication to the task.

"The SRS is a fine example of what can be achieved in the interests of safe transport," he said.

"All those involved in the design and implementation of this system have made a substantial contribution to preserving our environment and protecting lives."