News and media releases

Discover the latest developments and news updates from AMSA.

For media releases, please see the new AMSA Media Centre.

Australia bans bulk carrier Movers 3 after months of detention for appalling conditions

Published 30/04/2021

AMSA has banned the bulk carrier Movers 3 from Australian ports for 18 months following outstanding mechanical and survey issues being resolved this week.

National Search and Rescue Awards open for nominations

Published 08/04/2021

The National Search and Rescue Council Australian Search and Rescue Awards are open for nominations.

Coquet Island has a new tower

Published 15/03/2021

A powerful lantern, hoisted high into view of passing ships by twenty-four metres of stainless steel, keeps watch over the dangerous, tropical seas between Coquet and Howick Islands in Far North Queensland.

Man and his dog rescued off Cairns

Published 12/03/2021

Shipping company and chief officer convicted for dumping garbage in Great Barrier Reef

Published 04/03/2021

Chief officer and company of a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier fined and convicted for dumping garbage into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Tenderers sought for upcoming Port Hedland channel marker project

Published 26/02/2021

AMSA is looking for interested tenderers for an upcoming project at Port Hedland, Western Australia.

Fine and conviction for company caught operating dilapidated barge in Pittwater

Published 26/02/2021

The owner of a dilapidated barge convicted and fined $5,500 in Sydney Magistrates Court.

Survivor meets life-saving AMSA aircrew at Cairns

Published 24/02/2021

Yesterday, a solo sailor who was rescued after spending several hours alone in the ocean after being pitched overboard from his yacht, met some of AMSA’s Search and Rescue (SAR) aircrew who helped save his life.

Guilty plea and conviction for master of fatal Sydney cruise

Published 23/02/2021

The master of Sydney Harbour passenger vessel, Lady Rose, has pleaded guilty and been convicted of one count of unreasonably placing the safety of another person at risk in the Downing Centre Local Court on Monday, 22 February 2021.

Livestock ships under Australian inspection spotlight

Published 22/02/2021

The maintenance and operation of livestock ships exporting animals from Australia will be under the intense compliance spotlight of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority over the next six months.

Four rescued after boat capsizes near Port Stephens

Published 18/02/2021

Four recreational spear fishers were rescued this morning after their 4.8 metre vessel capsized and sank off Broughton Island, near Port Stephens, New South Wales soon after setting out on a fishing trip.

AMSA assist Papua New Guinea in thirteen person rescue

Published 01/02/2021

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has helped save the lives of thirteen persons who had been missing for over a week in the Solomon Sea.

Auditor-General report finds AMSA Search and Rescue contract management fully effective

Published 22/01/2021

The Auditor-General for Australia has found that the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s management of its $640 million Challenger search and rescue jet contract has been fully effective.

AMSA bans Barkly Pearl from Australian waters for 24 months

Published 08/01/2021

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has issued its most severe banning to date to the master and operator of the Marshall Islands flagged livestock carrier, Barkly Pearl last night.

Solo yachtsman saved by personal locator beacon on life jacket

Published 05/01/2021

A joint operation between the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the Northern Territory Police on 4th January 2021 has successfully saved the life of a solo yachtsman who fell into the Arafura Sea approximately 45km east of Cape Wessel, NT.

Two people rescued from water in Torres Strait by passing tanker

Published 03/12/2020

A Marshall Islands-flagged tanker transiting the Torres Strait this morning has helped rescue two people from the water after their boat sank.

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2023 Asia-Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies (APHoMSA) forum

Asia-Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies forum concludes

Published 09/06/2023

The 2023 Asia-Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies (APHoMSA) forum, co-hosted by Australia and Mongolia in Sydney, has concluded with key actions centred around continued collaboration to reduce greenhouse gas and increase safety for mariners.

World Ocean Day 2023-supporting a sustainable global maritime industry

Published 06/06/2023

The oceans play a crucial role in supporting human livelihoods, providing jobs and income for millions of people worldwide. On World Oceans Day 2023, we celebrate efforts to put our oceans first.

Australia co-hosts Asia-Pacific Heads of Maritime Agencies forum with Mongolia

Published 06/06/2023

This week Australia is hosting the annual Asia Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies (APHoMSA) forum to promote a safe, secure and sustainable maritime industry and a clean marine environment in the Pacific region.

incident report April 2023 - 80 incidents reported, 16 serious, 1 very serious

April 2023 marine incident report and monthly safety lesson

Published 30/05/2023

There were 80 reported incidents involving domestic commercial vessels in April.

Keeping safe on Sea Country

Published 29/05/2023

National Reconciliation Week is 27 May to 3 June this year.

campaign banner image - Keep your safety management system current and be informed of Marine Order 504 updates

Changes to operational safety requirements

Published 29/05/2023

On 1 August 2023, new requirements will come into force which will improve operational safety.

AMSA's Safety Liaison Advisor, Desley Thompson

Reconciliation Week 2023: Generational safety on the water

Published 23/05/2023

Meet Desley Thompson, AMSA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Safety Liaison Advisor.

Shipboard navigation, communications and search and rescue at sea on the agenda at IMO

Published 08/05/2023

Australia will play an active role in discussions starting this week at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meeting on navigation, communications, and search and rescue.  

Preventing marine plastic litter

Published 03/05/2023

Australia has consolidated a leadership role on addressing marine plastic litter at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and is actively advocating for better global environmental health through the pollution prevention and response sub-committee.