The Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 provides penalties of up to $220,000 for negligent or deliberate pollution and up to $55,000 for an accidental discharge or a failure to report a prescribed event.

 

The Marine Pollution Act provides for penalties of up to $500,000 ($10,000,000 for a corporation) for each person involved in the maintenance or operation of the vessel when an oil pollution event occurs. Additionally the penalty for failure to report an oil spill is up to $120,000.

The Protection of the Environment Operations Act provides penalties of up to $250,000 initially and then $120,000 per day for a corporation (individuals $120,000 and $60,000) for failure to comply with a Clean-up Notice. A Clean-up Notice is an order from the EPA (or the NSW Maritime Authority) to conduct a clean up of any pollution. The Act also provides for the polluter to pay all costs of the clean-up including any costs the Authority may incur in enforcing the clean up.