AMSA Connect phone services may have longer wait times on Monday 1 June 2026 while we operate with reduced staffing due to the Reconciliation Day Public Holiday in Canberra.  Our search and rescue team will continue to operate during this time.

What is a marine incident?

Marine incidents are defined by various Australian laws and include a number of different types of incidents.
A marine incident may include the following:
  • Death of, or serious injury to, a person associated with the operation or navigation of a vessel
  • The loss or presumed loss of a vessel
  • The loss of a person from a vessel
  • Significant damage to a vessel
  • Collision of a vessel with another vessel
  • Collision by a vessel with an object
  • The grounding, sinking, flooding or capsizing of a vessel
  • Fire on board a vessel
  • Loss of stability of a vessel that affects the safety of the vessel
  • The structural failure of a vessel
  • A close quarters situation
marine incident
It can also include:
 
  • An event that results in, or could have resulted in:
    • the death of, or injury to, a person on board a vessel
    • the loss of a person from a vessel
    • a vessel becoming disabled and requiring assistance.
  • The fouling or damaging by a vessel of:
    • any pipeline or submarine cable
    • any aid to navigation.
  • Other incidents that are prescribed by the regulations include but are not limited to:
    • failure in operation of a component of material handling equipment
    • loss of cargo from a vessel
    • equipment failure that may affect vessel’s ability to prevent pollution from occurring
    • a crew member is injured or contracts an illness that incapacitates them from the performance of their duty.
  • Any serious danger to navigation on or near the course of the vessel.