News and media releases

Discover the latest developments and news updates from AMSA.

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

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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Australian pilot receives IMO commendation for exceptional bravery at sea

Published 16/09/2021

In December 2020, Australian Pilot Captain Ritesh Bhamaria was expertly piloting oil tanker MT Godam through the Torres Strait in adverse weather conditions when he and the vessel crew sighted a distant hand waving for help in the rough sea.

Aerial view of commercial shipping vessel in open water

Our operations during the current COVID-19 outbreak

Published 14/09/2021

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority like other businesses and organisations across Australia has been affected by the ongoing response to COVID-19 outbreaks.

Domestic Commercial Vessel Annual Incident Report 2020

Incident data helping to improve maritime safety

Published 14/09/2021

We have released the 2020 report into domestic commercials vessel marine incidents.

Man and two children on a boat wearing lifejackets

Every passenger counts

Published 02/09/2021

Regulatory changes aimed to improve passenger safety on domestic commercial vessels are now in effect.

COVID-19 close contact site update

Published 24/08/2021

AMSA is working with ACT Health to conduct the appropriate COVID testing and quarantining of affected staff.

Overloading—don’t rock the boat! 

Published 20/08/2021

Excessive loading of your vessel is dangerous and can cause your vessel to capsize 

Supplied by the US Coast Guard - Challenger Jet

Two Australian sailors successfully rescued near Honolulu

Published 18/08/2021

Two Australians have been rescued from a 13-metre sailing vessel in the North Pacific Ocean following a successful joint operation between the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Honolulu.

New AMSA compliance plan outlines the five focus areas for 2021-22

Published 04/08/2021

The AMSA National Compliance Plan 2021-22 is now available.

Police rescue boat and yacht being rescued

Solo sailor rescued in heavy seas off NSW mid-north coast

Published 30/07/2021

The successful rescue of a solo sailor was coordinated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority on July 28 after the yacht was caught in heavy seas about 45km offshore from South West Rocks on the NSW mid-north coast.

Microplastics

Published 29/07/2021

Plastic products are resilient. They breakdown extremely slowly turning into tiny fragments known as microplastics.

RAAF and AMSA help rescue catamaran in joint operation

Published 22/07/2021

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) were involved in a successful joint rescue operation of a sailing vessel in distress in Far North Queensland on Tuesday, 20 July.

Focused inspection campaign—Safety of Navigation

Published 22/07/2021

From 1 August to 30 September 2021, we will undertake a Focused Inspection Campaign (FIC) on the safety of navigation requirements for ships arriving at Australian Ports.

Wellness at Sea campaign launches

Published 16/07/2021

The new Wellness at Sea campaign is now live and provides a wide range of resources to support the health and wellbeing of seafarers, their families, and shore staff through the dedicated campaign website.

Three fishermen rescued in joint AMSA and PNG operation

Published 12/07/2021

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) supported Port Moresby’s rescue centre in the rescue of three fishermen near Buka Island in Papua New Guinea on Friday, July 9.

Cape Byron lighthouse looking at the cliff and lighthouse from the ocean during sunset

Australia’s ‘shining’ eastern jewel – Cape Byron Lighthouse

Published 01/07/2021

Australia’s Cape Byron Lighthouse stands as an iconic aid to navigation and is steeped in rich local, state and national history.

AMSA update June edition

Published 01/07/2021

Find out what’s been happening this month.

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Australian pilot receives IMO commendation for exceptional bravery at sea

Published 16/09/2021

In December 2020, Australian Pilot Captain Ritesh Bhamaria was expertly piloting oil tanker MT...

Australian pilot receives IMO commendation for exceptional bravery at sea

Published 16/09/2021

In December 2020, Australian Pilot Captain Ritesh Bhamaria was expertly piloting oil tanker MT...

Our operations during the current COVID-19 outbreak

Published 14/09/2021

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority like other businesses and organisations across Australia...

Incident data helping to improve maritime safety

Published 14/09/2021

We have released the 2020 report into domestic commercials vessel marine incidents.

Every passenger counts

Published 02/09/2021

Regulatory changes aimed to improve passenger safety on domestic commercial vessels are now in...

COVID-19 close contact site update

Published 24/08/2021

AMSA is working with ACT Health to conduct the appropriate COVID testing and quarantining of...

Overloading—don’t rock the boat! 

Published 20/08/2021

Excessive loading of your vessel is dangerous and can cause your vessel to capsize 

Two Australian sailors successfully rescued near Honolulu

Published 18/08/2021

Two Australians have been rescued from a 13-metre sailing vessel in the North Pacific Ocean...

New AMSA compliance plan outlines the five focus areas for 2021-22

Published 04/08/2021

The AMSA National Compliance Plan 2021-22 is now available.

Solo sailor rescued in heavy seas off NSW mid-north coast

Published 30/07/2021

The successful rescue of a solo sailor was coordinated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority...

Microplastics

Published 29/07/2021

Plastic products are resilient. They breakdown extremely slowly turning into tiny fragments known...

RAAF and AMSA help rescue catamaran in joint operation

Published 22/07/2021

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) were involved...

Focused inspection campaign—Safety of Navigation

Published 22/07/2021

From 1 August to 30 September 2021, we will undertake a Focused Inspection Campaign (FIC) on the...

Wellness at Sea campaign launches

Published 16/07/2021

The new Wellness at Sea campaign is now live and provides a wide range of resources to support the...

Three fishermen rescued in joint AMSA and PNG operation

Published 12/07/2021

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) supported Port Moresby’s rescue centre in the...

Australia’s ‘shining’ eastern jewel – Cape Byron Lighthouse

Published 01/07/2021

Australia’s Cape Byron Lighthouse stands as an iconic aid to navigation and is steeped in rich...

AMSA update June edition

Published 01/07/2021

Find out what’s been happening this month.

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