Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated Acts(1) Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, this Act applies in relation to:
(a) all ships, irrespective of the places of residence or domicile of their owners; and
(b) all maritime claims, wherever arising.
(2) This Act does not apply in relation to a proceeding commenced before the commencement of this Act.
(3) This Act does not apply in relation to a cause of action that arose:
(a) in respect of an inland waterways vessel; or
(b) in respect of the use or intended use of a ship on inland waters.
(4) Paragraph ( 3)(b) does not have effect in relation to a cause of action if, at the time when the cause of action arose, the ship concerned was a foreign ship.