About focused inspection campaigns
We conduct focused inspection campaigns to look more closely at specific safety and compliance issues affecting domestic commercial vessels.
A campaign may focus on:
- a particular safety risk
- a vessel type or operation
- an area of a vessel's safety management system
- specific regulatory requirements.
During a campaign, AMSA inspectors use a standard set of questions when inspecting relevant vessels. These focused inspections are generally conducted as part of regular domestic commercial vessel inspections. Any deficiencies identified are managed through the usual compliance process.
Campaign findings help us understand how safety requirements are being implemented and identify areas where further education, guidance or compliance activity may be needed.
Completed focused inspection campaigns
The campaigns below were completed within the past 5 years. Outcome reports summarise what we inspected, what we found and any areas requiring continued attention.
- Hazardous gases - 2 February to 30 April 2026
Focus: How domestic commercial vessel operators identified, controlled and managed hazardous gas risks, including through risk assessment, maintenance, crew training, ventilation and pumping procedures.
Outcome: AMSA completed 177 focused inspections nationwide. The campaign identified significant gaps in practical hazardous gas controls, particularly crew training, risk assessment and programmed maintenance, highlighting the need for operators to strengthen how these risks are managed in practice.Download the hazardous gases focused inspection campaign outcome report [PDF, 646.7 KB]
- Hazardous gases - 16 September to 31 December 2024
Focus: How Class 1 passenger and Class 4 hire and drive vessels identified, controlled and managed hazardous gas risks through their safety management systems.
Outcome: AMSA completed 62 focused inspections in NSW. The campaign identified significant gaps in crew training, risk assessment and access to hazardous gas monitoring devices. The findings highlighted the need for continued focus on strengthening how operators identify, control and manage hazardous gas risks.View the hazardous gases focused inspection campaign outcome report
- Vessel adventure rides and experiences - October 2023 to March 2024
Focus: Safety risks associated with domestic commercial vessels used for adventure rides and experiences, including vessel suitability, crew competency and training, risk assessment, emergency procedures, passenger safety and access to safety equipment.
Outcome: Coming soon.
- Lifejacket risk assessment - 1 October to 30 November 2023
Focus: Compliance with lifejacket risk assessment requirements for Class 1 passenger, Class 2 non-passenger and Class 3 fishing vessels, including written lifejacket procedures, availability of lifejackets, safety induction, emergency training and drills.
Outcome: Coming soon.
- Planned maintenance - 1 May to 30 June 2023
Focus: How domestic commercial vessel owners and operators maintained and documented vessel structure, machinery, safety equipment and certification, including planned maintenance procedures, manufacturer requirements, maintenance records and periodic surveys.
Outcome: Coming soon.
- Towage operations - 21 November 2022 to 27 February 2023
Focus: How domestic commercial vessels conducting towing operations implemented risk assessments in their safety management systems, including crew training, fatigue management and procedures for reporting and recording marine incidents. (amsa.gov.au)
Outcome: AMSA completed 94 focused inspections. The campaign found mostly positive results across towing operations, with high levels of compliance for risk assessments, risk controls and related SMS procedures. The findings also highlighted the need for continued focus on crew training and testing the effectiveness and implementation of the SMS on board.View the towage operations focused inspection campaign outcome report
- Passenger tender vessel safety - 1 October 2022 to 30 May 2023
Focus: Safety requirements for Class 1 passenger vessel tenders in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including safety equipment, certificates of operation, safety management systems and unique vessel identifiers.
Outcome: Coming soon.
- Construction barges - 1 May to 30 June 2022
Focus: How construction barge operators managed safety risks through risk assessment, procedures and crew training, including barge stability, person-overboard response and required safety equipment.
Outcome: AMSA completed 129 focused inspections. The campaign identified gaps in risk assessment, procedures for maintaining barge stability and evidence of crew training, highlighting the need for continued focus on practical controls for construction barge operations.View the construction barges focused inspection campaign outcome report
- Passenger vessel safety - 1 February to 30 April 2022
Focus: Compliance with passenger safety requirements for domestic commercial vessels carrying passengers, including passenger counts and records, safety inductions, monitoring passenger numbers, missing passenger procedures and consideration of passenger management in crewing arrangements.
Outcome: Coming soon.