DEPUTY chief executive of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Gary Prosser, is leaving to take on a commissioner role with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
The change, effective 1 October, was announced this week by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.
ATSB chief commissioner Greg Hood, welcomed the “expertise and experience” Mr Prosser would bring.
“I have no doubt Mr Prosser will make a significant contribution to the ATSB’s work of improving transport safety in Australia,” Mr Hood said.
“I look forward to working with Mr Prosser as we position the ATSB to support and advance the national transport safety agenda.”
AMSA chief executive Mick Kinley praised Mr Prosser’s contribution.
“We are currently recruiting to replace Gary and are sorry to see him leaving after a total of 20 years of valuable service to AMSA,” Mr Kinley told Daily Cargo News.
“I think he will make an excellent commissioner for the ATSB and commend them on their choice and congratulate Gary in his new role.”
Mr McCormack also thanked outgoing ATSB commissioner, Noel Hart, for his “excellent contribution” over many years.
“Mr Hart has provided invaluable maritime industry knowledge and experience to countless investigations,” Mr McCormack said.
“I wish Mr Hart all the best with his future endeavours and thank him for his exemplary ongoing contribution to Australia’s transport safety.”
Mr Hood also thanked Mr Hart for his “commitment and passion” for improving transport safety since he was first appointed as a Commissioner of the ATSB in July 2009.
“Noel has over 40 years’ experience in the shipping industry, with this knowledge greatly contributing to the investigations into the fatality on board the Skandi Pacific, off the Pilbara coast, Western Australia on 14 July 2015, the safety issue investigation into Queensland Coastal Pilotage in 2012, and the grounding of the Maersk Garonne, in Fremantle, Western Australia in February 2015,” he said.
Mr Hart also helped establish the Bureau’s SeaSafe 2019 Marine Safety Forum, held in conjunction with MIAL’s Modern Martime Conference in Sydney in October.
“SeaSafe 2019 represents a unique opportunity for the maritime industry to address and confront safety issues, as the ATSB continues to work to improve transport safety in Australia,” Mr Hood said.
“I wish Noel the very best for the future, and I thank him for his service.”
