We advise on flagging, manning, safety and operational compliance under the DCV legislation for domestic commercial vessels, and under the Navigation Act for foreign or foreign-going vessels.

In this regard, we also advise clients engaged in the offshore sector in relation to OPGGSA and NOPSEMA requirements that are distinct from those under navigational safety statutes.

We have considerable expertise with the commercial fishing industry. Our founding partners, Tim Cocks and Graeme Macnish built and operated four commercial fishing vessels in the 80s, two of which remain in operation in the Northern Prawn Fishery.

We act for a number of clients in the various State and Commonwealth fisheries and assist with a broad range of matters including compliance, sale and/or transfer of fishing authorisations or entitlements, share fishing arrangements, determination of managed fisheries, infringements, and prosecutions.

We act for some of Australia’s largest livestock exporters and assist with a broad range of matters including import and export requirements, sale and transport arrangements, infringements, and prosecutions.

We provide legal guidance to clients in responding to FOI consultations following third party requests, or otherwise to navigate the State and Federal FOI schemes to obtain necessary information.

We have considerable experience acting for clients the subject of regulatory prosecutions in these areas.