Non-commercial vessel arrival biosecurity reporting - yachts and private superyachts

An interview with the master provides a biosecurity officer with the opportunity to verify the biosecurity status of the vessel, people and animals (where applicable) onboard. The officer will also view all relevant documentation, such as information related to timber components.

On arrival at a first point of entry, your vessel will be physically inspected. This includes inspection of:

• health of persons onboard
• personal effects/articles
• timber components of the vessel and any history of damage or refits
• kitchen facilities and storerooms foodstuffs, personal effects, souvenirs
• sanitation and waste
• hull, anchors, chains and other ancillary gear
• water collection/storage containers
• standing water, (vector for mosquito larvae).

If the vessel timber inspection cannot be undertaken on arrival the vessel remains subject to biosecurity control. The vessel will need to complete a timber inspection within 14 days.

Inspections will only be undertaken in safe conditions, during daylight hours and usually within normal operational hours. You should also be aware that more than one inspection may be required to resolve any identified biosecurity risks.

If no biosecurity concerns are detected during the inspection, the biosecurity officer will release your vessel.

Under the Biosecurity Act, pratique is permission for “anything to be unloaded from or loaded onto” a vessel or “any person to disembark from or embark onto” a vessel. Pratique processes ensure biosecurity risks to human health can be identified and managed before the vessel is unloaded or disembarked.

• If the vessel does not have pratique, the master of the vessel must fly the required quarantine flag (yellow flag or quarantine lights if at night). 
• Passengers and crew are not permitted to leave the vessel, nor is any person permitted to board the vessel without the permission of a biosecurity officer.
• While the vessel may obtain pratique, the vessel itself, cargo and some persons or goods may continue to be subject to biosecurity control and cannot be unloaded without the permission of a biosecurity officer.

Once the biosecurity officer has completed the inspection, a post inspection interview is conducted to discuss any biosecurity issues identified in the vessel inspection with you. Biosecurity clearance may be provided at this time and confirmation of any biosecurity conditions for further travel within Australia. e.g.  The biosecurity officer will advise if the vessel is released from biosecurity control and no longer subject to biosecurity inspections.

To manage any biosecurity risks, the biosecurity officer may undertake or request that you undertake certain directions and/or treatments, including (but not exclusive to):

• confirmation of the management of any plants or animals on board
• disposal of biosecurity waste
• stripping to coastal - the process of removing all biosecurity risk materials from a vessel so it can be released from biosecurity control
• other treatments as directed.

If biosecurity concerns are detected, the biosecurity officer can take any of the following actions:

• seek further advice from departmental technical experts or other authoritative body
• refer concerns such as human health issues to other relevant Australian Government agencies
• use alternative detection methods (e.g. detector dog or device for termites)
• direct the vessel to undergo remedial action via approved methods, such as timber treatment
• direct the vessel to a particular place
• direct the vessel to be imported as cargo..

Vessel may also be subject to verification inspections by a biosecurity officers on succeeding days at the first point of entry and subsequent port/s of call to ensure continued compliance with issued by a biosecurity officer.

All vessels with timber components entering Australia must be inspected for timber pests, whether the vessel is sailed in, itinerant, a returning Australian vessel or imported as cargo.

When a vessel is sailed in, the inspection of timber components is likely to be included as part of the arrival inspection. If the inspection of timber components cannot be performed on arrival, the inspection must be completed within 14 days. If the inspection of timber components cannot be performed on arrival, the inspection must be completed within 14 days. It is the vessel operator’s responsibility to make arrangements for this inspection to occur and to ensure the vessel is presented at the port of arrival within this timeframe. The vessel will continue to be subjected to biosecurity control, including restrictions, until this inspection has been performed and the vessel can be released. See Requirements for vessels with timber components.

If you are importing your vessel refer to the (BICON) system for information on import requirements for individual commodities and cargo.

Vessels which carry pets are considered high risk and therefore require increased verification whilst in Australian waters. Some animals are not permitted into Australia and you should always check the restrictions prior to travelling to Australia with your pet.

As Australia is fortunate to be free from many dog and cat diseases such as Rabies that affect other parts of the world, the department does not allow the import of dogs and cats from certain countries.

Prior to arrival at an Australian first port of call, the master must notify the department of the presence of animals onboard.

The inspecting biosecurity officer will issue the master or owner with the 'Reporting Requirements for Animals on Vessels' form. This form sets out the general conditions for the keeping of animals onboard the vessel and may include additional conditions. The 'Master Declaration' section of the form must be completed.

The general conditions for yachts with animals onboard include the following:

• The vessel must be secured at mid water mooring.
• All animals onboard must be confined in a manner so as to prevent contact with persons or Australian domestic animals.
• The animal must be confined below decks if the vessel is left unattended.
• All animals waste must be disposed of in a manner approved by the department.
• The department must be notified immediately if the animal becomes sick, dies or escapes whilst in Australia.
• A biosecurity officer will visit the vessel at each port of call in Australia, or on a regular basis if the vessel is remaining in the same port, to ensure that the conditions stated on the 'Reporting Requirements for Animals on Vessels' form are being met.
• All subsequent movements around Australia must be reported to the department prior to departure and arrival.
• Continuous verification of pets will incur department fee for service charges.
• If the animal is to remain permanently in Australia, see cats and dogs travelling to Australia via private vessels to determine eligibility for import.
• If you do not have a valid import permit for your pet (including a dog or cat) and it cannot be confined onboard the vessel (and associated conditions as specified in the biosecurity direction - such as mid-water mooring and reporting obligations are not able to be complied with) then you will need to consider one of the following options:
   
  • Immediately exporting your pet(s) under the direct supervision of a biosecurity officer. (Note: This option will only be available for certain animal species and from certain ports with an immediately adjacent international airport and where the department has the resources to supervise the export. It is unlikely that the department would be able to issue any international health certification for a pet which was to be exported in this manner and the exporter would need to ensure that the destination country (not Australia) would accept the pet on arrival.
     
  • In extreme situations and where the pet is not able to be confined on board the vessel and not able to be immediately exported then the animal may need to be euthanased by a departmental Veterinary Officer.

Where a vessel is cleared and inspected at the first port of call, an arrival levy and a fee for the time taken to inspect and clear the vessel will be charged.

• The department service fees are invoiced, normally through your broker for yachts imported as cargo. Some fees must be paid prior to inspection taking place.
• Inspection services for yachts and superyachts are payable at the time of inspection. Credit card payments can be made by calling 1800 647 531.
• Cash will not be accepted by biosecurity officers.

Where there is no biosecurity risk detected, the inspection is covered by standard departmental vessel fees and no additional payments are required. Where a biosecurity issue is detected, vessel owners will be charged fee-for-service and any additional charges relating to removing biosecurity risk materials.