ABP compliance audits

Boating Industry Association (BIA) © Boating Industry Association

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) has advised BIA that it will be conducting an audit of local boatbuilders to assess compliance with the Australian Builders' Plates (ABP) on vessels built in Queensland, following concerns that information provided on some plates has been both inaccurate and misleading.

MSQ will initiate a program of boatyard / factory visits to assess with builders their understanding of and compliance with the ABP and to discuss steps that can be taken collectively to ensure the maintenance of safety standards and the national reputation for quality vessels.

MSQ will be looking in particular at:

• details of the standards used to complete the ABP,
• the methods and tools used to assess the craft for a ABP, and
• evidence of the documentation and processes used to complete the ABP details.