News and media releases

Discover the latest developments and news updates from AMSA. See our information for journalists and members of the media.

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.

AMSA coordinates multi-agency response to medical emergency

Published 18/11/2020

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has successfully coordinated the medical evacuation of a seafarer who sustained serious injuries during an on board accident.

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Update on the review of domestic commercial vessel seafarer certificates

Published 13/04/2021

Industry’s strong response during consultation on Australian near coastal seafarer certification provided valuable feedback on the proposed changes to make seafarer certification easier to understand and apply.

February incident report

Published 07/04/2021

The February incident report has been published.

Simplified equipment lists for small fishing vessel operations

Published 01/04/2021

Two simplified equipment lists are now available for certain non-survey vessels less than 12 metres long, working close to land.

International webinar on Australian women in maritime

Published 17/03/2021

Are you interested in hearing the stories and experiences of seven remarkable women working in diverse maritime roles in Australia?

Out now! Maritime Safety Awareness bulletin—preventing container loss

Published 05/03/2021

The latest issue of the Maritime Safety Awareness bulletin focuses on the risk of losing shipping containers at sea

Float free beacon attached to the frame of a vessel

National float-free EPIRB inspection campaign delivers great results so far

Published 05/03/2021

Since 1 February 2021, AMSA inspectors have been conducting a national float-free EPIRB focused inspection campaign to ensure operators meet their obligations.

Lastest edition of AMSA update

Published 02/03/2021

The latest edition of AMSA update is available now.

How to prevent inadvertent activations of your float-free EPIRB

Published 02/03/2021

We have detected several inadvertent float-free EPIRB activations due to incorrect mounting, storage and washing down vessels.

January 2021 incidents

Published 26/02/2021

Read our full report of incidents that occurred in January 2021.

Now available—seafarer certification guidance

Published 23/02/2021

We are pleased to advise that you can now download and print guidance for international certificates.

Focused inspection campaign for livestock ships

Published 22/02/2021

From 1 March to 31 August 2021, we will undertake a focused inspection campaign (FIC) on livestock ships departing Australian ports.

Former South Australia police officer helps save maritime lives

Published 18/02/2021

Watch our video of Mark Jacobs who has joined AMSA as a search and rescue office.

Webinar on proposed standard for watertight and weathertight integrity

Published 16/02/2021

West Pilbara Port Welfare Association spreads Christmas cheer

Published 05/02/2021

In December AMSA staff in Karratha, along with 15 stakeholders and local businesses involved with the West Pilbara Port Welfare Association, banded together to spread some Christmas cheer to seafarers arriving in the region’s ports.

Seafarers to return to pre-COVID-19 maximum period onboard

Published 03/02/2021

From 28 February 2021, the interim COVID arrangements which have permitted seafarers to serve longer than 11 months onboard ships will end.

AMSA update

Published 29/01/2021

The first AMSA Update edition for 2021 is available now.

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Update on the review of domestic commercial vessel seafarer certificates

Published 13/04/2021

Industry’s strong response during consultation on Australian near coastal seafarer certification...

Update on the review of domestic commercial vessel seafarer certificates

Published 13/04/2021

Industry’s strong response during consultation on Australian near coastal seafarer certification...

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.

February incident report

Published 07/04/2021

The February incident report has been published.

Simplified equipment lists for small fishing vessel operations

Published 01/04/2021

Two simplified equipment lists are now available for certain non-survey vessels less than 12 metres...

International webinar on Australian women in maritime

Published 17/03/2021

Are you interested in hearing the stories and experiences of seven remarkable women working in...

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...

Man and his dog rescued off Cairns

Published 12/03/2021

Out now! Maritime Safety Awareness bulletin—preventing container loss

Published 05/03/2021

The latest issue of the Maritime Safety Awareness bulletin focuses on the risk of losing shipping...

National float-free EPIRB inspection campaign delivers great results so far

Published 05/03/2021

Since 1 February 2021, AMSA inspectors have been conducting a national float-free EPIRB focused...

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...

Lastest edition of AMSA update

Published 02/03/2021

The latest edition of AMSA update is available now.

How to prevent inadvertent activations of your float-free EPIRB

Published 02/03/2021

We have detected several inadvertent float-free EPIRB activations due to incorrect mounting,...

January 2021 incidents

Published 26/02/2021

Read our full report of incidents that occurred in January 2021.

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...

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