Supply of scheduled substances to a master of a vessel

In Tasmania, possession and supply of scheduled substances are regulated under the Poisons Act 1971 and Poisons Regulations 2018. The Poisons Regulations 2018 provides for the supply of scheduled substances to the master of a vessel. 

These vessels include:

• Australian and internationally registered ships

• Domestic commercial vessels

• Racing yachts participating in offshore races

Registered ships and domestic commercial vessels are required to carry specified supplies of scheduled substances and medical equipment to ensure that medical treatment is available in the event of medical problems or emergencies.

National and international marine regulations and guidelines specify the scheduled substances and minimum quantities of each that are required, based on a vessel’s class and scale.

A list of Australian registered ships is available on the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) website. Information regarding details of internationally registered vessels may be found on marine traffic websites.

Australian regulated vessels are required to carry scheduled substances as listed in either the AMSA publication Medical Carriage Requirements on Regulated Australian Vessels or the World Health Organisation International Medical Guide for Ships and its Quantification Addendum. Medicines listed in Annex 3 of the Quantification Addendum meet the requirements of the Navigation Act 2012. 

Regulations 36 and 93 allows for the master of a vessel to be supplied narcotic substances (Schedule 8), restricted substances (Schedule 4, including Declared Restricted Substances), potent substances (Schedule 3), and medicinal poisons (Schedule 2) that are required to be carried on the vessel to comply with navigation requirements for the purpose of providing medical treatment to passengers or crew of that vessel.

Master includes the person (not being a pilot or harbourmaster) for the time being in charge or having control of any vessel.

Masters of vessels

The Act and Regulations allow for the master of a vessel, by order of writing, to purchase scheduled substances from a person who is authorised to supply them, such as a pharmacist or a licenced wholesale chemist. 

Verification of Documentation

A master of a vessel must provide valid documentation to the pharmacist or wholesale chemist which confirms they are authorised to purchase scheduled substances that are required to be carried on the vessel to comply with navigation requirements for the purpose of providing medical treatment to passengers or crew of that vessel.

Identification of master of vessel

• provide a driver's licence/passport/other ID for a copy to be retained

Registered vessels and domestic commercial vessels

• confirm vessel is in port in Tasmania by providing evidence such as from Marine Traffic Website

• provide vessel registration or machinery and hull number

Racing yachts

• provide name of yacht club organising race

• provide proof of entry into and category of the yacht race for a copy to be retained

• provide proof of ownership of the yacht for a copy to be retained

Ordering of scheduled substances

The master of a vessel must make a written order for purchase of a scheduled substance and the written order must include:

• the name and address of the master of the vessel; and

• the name, form, strength, and quantity of the scheduled substance sought; and

• confirmation the scheduled substance are consistent with the requirements for the vessle type and class/category by including a copy of reference to the appropriate guideline:

  • registered ships AMSA Medical Carriage Requirements or WHO International Medical Guide for Ships Quantification addendum

  • Domestic commercial vessels National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) addendum

  • Racing yachts Special Regulations Part 1 for Racing Boats

• the date the order is made; and

• the signature of the master of the vessel

Records of supply

Records must be kept for a minimum of two years as required by the Act and Regulations.

The master of a vessel must:

• Keep a copy of the written order supplied to the pharmacist or wholesale chemist

• Keep a record of the invoice supplied by the pharmacist or wholesale chemist

• Keep a record of movements of narcotic substances in a narcotic substances register in accordance with Regulation 18.

Storage 

The vessel’s scheduled substances must be kept in a locked medicine chest or cabinet and the medicine chest or cabinet must be kept in an area of the vessel where there is no direct access by the public. 

There are extra controls on narcotic substances, and narcotic substances must be kept in a separate locked enclosure except when immediately in use, and the key or code to the enclosure must be kept by the master of the vessel. 

Storage must be secure enough to prevent diversion, while ensuring that prompt access to medical supplies is available when they are required.

View the checklist for Master of a Vessel for Supply of Scheduled Substances

Pharmacists and wholesalers 

A pharmacist acting in the lawful practice of their profession or a wholesale chemist holding a current licence to supply by way of wholesale dealing may lawfully supply a master of a vessel in accordance with the Act and the Regulations.

Verification of Documentation

A pharmacist or wholesale chemist must verify the request from a master of a vessel is legitimate before supplying any scheduled substances.

Identification of a master of vessel

• sighted and retained a copy of the driver's licence/passport/other ID

DORA

DORA is a secure real time prescription monitoring website allowing prescribers and pharmacists to access information about Schedule 4 and 8 opioids and all other Schedule 8 drugs dispensed from pharmacies for Tasmanian patients.

• Pharmacists - Check master of vessel against DORA. 

If after review of DORA, the supply of scheduled substances is deemed high-risk, contact the Department of Health for advice. 

• Wholesale Chemists – Contact the Department for advice.

Registered Vessels and Domestic Commercial Vessels

• Confirm vessel is in port in Tasmania
• Record vessel registration or machinery and hull number 

Racing Yachts

• Confirm name of yacht club organising race
• Sight and confirm proof of entry into and category of the yacht race
• Sight and retain proof of ownership of the yacht

Supply of scheduled substances

• written order signed and dated by master of the vessel 

• scheduled substances requested are consistent with the requirements for the vessel type and class/category 

  • registered ships AMSA Medical Carriage Requirements or WHO International Medical Guide for Ships Quantification addendum

  • domestic commercial vessels National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) addendum

  • racing yachts Special Regulations Part 1 for Racing Boats 

Records of supply

Records must be kept for a minimum of two years as required by the Act and Regulations.

• issue an invoice to the master of the vessel which includes:

  • the name and address of the master of the vessel; 

  • the name and quantity of the substance sold or supplied; 

  • the date of the sale or supply; and

  • keep a copy of the invoice supplied to the master of the vessel

• keep the written order supplied by the master of the vessel

• keep a record in the narcotic substances register in accordance with Regulation 18.

View the Checklist for Pharmacist and Wholesaler Supply to Master of a Vessel