Coastal and Offshore Surveillance and Response

This output covers the provision of air and marine based civil surveillance and response services to a number of government agencies. The aim is to detect, report and respond to potential or actual non-compliance with relevant laws in coastal and offshore regions.

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT:

Figure 20: Performance Against Targets set in the 1999-2000 PBS - Output 3

Quantity/Quality Performance Measures			Target*	Actual
Quality:
Number of aerial surveillance sightings of interest to Customs and client agencies			**	121 034
Number of apprehensions		Suspect Illegal Entry Vessels (SIEVs)	**	76
		Foreign Fishing Vessels (FFVs)	**	72
Quantity:
Aerial surveillance coverage - square nautical miles patrolled			90 000 000	90 141 206
Aerial Surveillance Flying Hours		Coastwatch Aircraft	16 400	16 125^
		RAAF P3 Orion	250	250
Number of marine taskings requested by external clients			300	280
Number of sea days for:#		Australian Customs Vessels	825	824
		Fremantle Class Patrol Boats	1 800	1 796
Price~			$186.0m	$179.3m

* Targets may be performance targets, service level targets or workload estimates.

** Performance targets cannot be estimated.

^{^} The slight shortfall in hours flown for the year 1999-2000 of 2.8 per cent was due to aircraft in the Coastwatch fleet spending extended periods of time being fitted with satellite communications equipment as part of an upgrade program stemming from the PMTF recommendations.

^# The target stated in the PBS was misstated as1200 vessel sea days. This target is only applicable once all eight ACVs are commissioned and operating.

~ Price includes resources received free of charge from the Australian Defence Forces.

Illegal Entrant Activity

Suspect Illegal Entrant Vessel (SIEV) activity has steadily increased over the past three years. During 1998-1999, 923 Suspect Unlawful Non-Citizens (SUNCs) and 91 crew were detained. In 1999-2000, 4 188 SUNCs and 244 crew were detained.

While the number of illegal entrants arriving by sea and SIEV crew arrivals exceeded the total detained during 1998-1999, the effectiveness of Coastwatch, especially its SIEV detection rate, has improved. Further improvements are expected as the recommendations of the Prime Minister's Task Force on Coastal Surveillance are implemented.

Coastwatch Funding

The total price of the output ($179.307 million) includes the resources received free of charge from the Australian Defence Forces - $129.962 million.

The remaining expenditure ($49.345 million) is made up of: the aerial surveillance contract costs; Coastwatch operating expenses; Coastwatch's share of distributed costs for strategic intelligence and technical support and Customs marine activity. The Customs marine activity dedicated to civil maritime surveillance and response for Coastwatch clients represents 33 per cent ($5.580 million) of the National Marine Unit output pricing.

Figure 21: Summary of Suspect Illegal Entrant Vessels (SIEVs) and Suspect Unlawful Non-Citizens (SUNCs)^*

			1997-1998			1998-1999		1999-2000
SIEV SUMMARY
Undetected			2			11		4
Detected #			16			31		72
Total			18			42		76
Per cent Undetected			11%			26%		5%
SUNC SUMMARY
Undetected			24			174		95
Detected			166			749		4 093
Total			190			923		4 188
Per cent Undetected			13%			19%		2%
Crew			20			91		244

^* Includes SUNCs arriving by sea only.

^# A successful detection is one which occurs before the SIEV reaches the Australian mainland.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:

Prime Minister's Task Force (PMTF) on Coastal Surveillance

The PMTF on coastal surveillance was initiated in April 1999. The PMTF made 18 recommendations and the Government agreed to a $124 million, four-year program to strengthen Australia's capacity to detect and deter illegal arrivals. Of the 18 recommendations, nine required action by Coastwatch. Customs has progressively implemented these recommendations since July 1999.

Customs implementation of the PMTF recommendation is reported under the Customs Key Priorities for 1999-2000 section of this report.

Replacement of the Coastwatch Information Technology System

Coastwatch has realised significantly improved capability through the use of new information technologies made available through connections with Defence and the acquisition of new communications methods. Coastwatch is now linked to key client agency classified systems providing state-of-the-art access to information from a broad range of national and international sources.

With the aim of enhancing communication with clients, and providing a better planning and flight reporting system, Coastwatch is working to implement an integrated Command Support System. The system will be a comprehensive information management system that will integrate operational planning and logistical support aspects into a common `restricted' level system.

Effectiveness will be improved through the better management of strategic and operational surveillance and response activities. The new system will provide better targeted and more timely reports to clients, and will enhance the existing administration of the contract payment and performance measurement system.

Implementation of the avaition aspects of the National Illicit Drug Strategy in the Torres Strait region

The new Bell 412 helicopter began operations in January 2000. It enabled Customs to conduct day/night surveillance and response operations in the Torres Strait, either by helicopter alone, or in conjunction with Coastwatch fixed wing aircraft and surface assets. New lit helipads were installed in strategic locations in order to increase the flexibility in responding to possible breaches of legislation.

Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) Inquiry into Coastwatch

On 6 April 2000, the ANAO tabled Audit Report No. 38 into Coastwatch. The report made suggestions for further improving the efficiency of Coastwatch. Fifteen recommendations were made; all of which were agreed to by Customs, three with qualification. Many of the recommendations made by the Auditor General were already in train as a result of the PMTF. It is expected that the remaining ANAO recommendations will be implemented in 2000-2001.

Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) Inquiry into Coastwatch

Following the release of the ANAO Audit Report into Coastwatch the JCPAA announced an intention to conduct a further review. The Terms of Reference for the JCPAA Inquiry addressed a wide range of issues including the role and functions of Coastwatch, resource allocation, technology, legislation and any other issue raised in the ANAO Report. Submissions to the JCPAA were required by 9 June 2000. The Committee was briefed on 30 June by Customs and the first public hearings
are scheduled for August 2000.

Bay Class Acquisition - Australian Customs Vessels

The National Marine Unit was in a transitional phase for a large proportion of the year as the six Minister Class vessels were disposed of and eight new Bay Class vessels acquired. The upgrade of Customs sea-going fleet and an increase in the number of vessels from six to eight was announced in the 1997-1998 Budget. This recognised the limitations of the then existing fleet and the increasing demand for operations beyond the 12 nautical mile jurisdiction. The first of the new Bay Class vessels, the Australian Customs Vessel (ACV) Roebuck Bay, was commissioned in March 1999 and a further seven vessels were delivered in 1999-2000.

The fleet upgrade has enhanced surveillance and response capabilities, enabling the current tasking levels from client agencies to be met more effectively and efficiently. The eight vessels will increase the fleet's potential sea going days to around 1200 days a year and enhance operational response times.

The capabilities of the new vessels were demonstrated when the ACV Holdfast Bay was required to patrol the waters off Sydney in extremely difficult weather conditions and for an extended period. This operation resulted in the detection and seizure of 502 kg of cocaine.

Border Protection Legislation Amendment Act 1999

As a result of the PMTF on Coastal Surveillance, the Border Protection Legislation Amendment Act 1999 amended the Customs Act 1901, the Migration Act 1958 and the Fisheries Management Act 1991. The amendments resulted in the strengthening of Customs powers to deal with offshore offences in relation to the Customs Act 1901 and other prescribed acts. The provisions contained in the Act took effect on 16 December 1999.

The amendments extended the powers that can be exercised by the commander of a Commonwealth ship in the various maritime zones. These powers include the powers to board and search a ship; examine goods found on a ship; ask persons on a ship questions and require the production of documents; copy documents and detain a ship and persons on board a ship. The provisions enabled these powers to be exercised in relation to the Customs Act 1901 and other prescribed Acts.

The amendments provide for the destruction of a ship in certain circumstances and the power for Customs officers to carry arms in certain circumstances. Parallel provisions were also included in relation to aircraft in accordance with international law.

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