Overview
The Bass Strait area to be avoided (ATBA) is a routeing measure. Ships in excess of 200 gross tonnage should avoid the area due to the high concentration of offshore facilities and it is hazardous to navigate this area with unauthorised vessels.
Schedule 2 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 describes the ATBA.
The area excludes waters not within the coastal waters of Victoria and not within a safety zone. The approximate size of the ATBA is 5,362 square kilometres.
Navigation charts show the ATBA to the coastline. A note on the charts says unauthorised ships over 200 tons, gross tonnage should not enter the ATBA.
The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environment Management Authority (NOPSEMA) considers applications for vessels to enter and be present in the ATBA. NOPSEMA will provide authorisation where applicable.
Reporting infringements
Facility operators in the ABTA are required to report infringements by unauthorised vessels of over 200 gross tonnage.
