Marine Order 57 (MO57) provides for safe helicopter operations involving regulated Australian vessels and foreign vessels. It covers activities such as transferring people or goods, loading and unloading vessels, helicopter landings and take-offs, and refuelling on board. It also gives effect to parts of the International Chamber of Shipping Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations.
The changes update Marine Order 57 to reflect the latest edition of the Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations and keep its requirements and references current.
Result
In response to the feedback, we amended sections 9 and 11 of the final Marine Order.
Key dates
Consultation period: 23 March to 4 May 2026.
Reissued Marine Order takes effect: 1 October 2026.
Feedback
AMSA received one submission containing 2 comments.
The submission sought clarification about:
- documenting divergence from recommended helicopter landing and winching arrangements
- availability of information about deck surface load capacity.
Full report
- Introduction
This report provides an overview of the consultation process, issues raised during public consultation and changes to the marine order.
Marine Order 57 (Helicopter operations) 2026 (MO57) is issued under the Navigation Act 2012 and ensures the safe operation of regulated Australian vessels (RAVs) and foreign vessels by providing for safe vessel-helicopter operations, which include:- the transfer of a good or person between a vessel and a helicopter
- the loading or unloading of a vessel by a helicopter
- a helicopter landing on a vessel or a helicopter taking off from a vessel
- refuelling of a helicopter on a vessel
- giving effect to parts of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations.
A helicopter used in a vessel-helicopter operation is still subject to civil aviation legislation administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
In September 2025, AMSA commenced the MO57 review primarily to ensure that there is a reissued Marine Order in place when the existing MO57 sunsets on 1 October 2026. The main changes in the revised MO57 are:- a requirement to refer to the latest ICS Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations
- reviewed definitions and references to other instruments within MO57 to ensure they are current and accurate
- reviewed and updated formatting and terminology within MO57 to reflect modern drafting practice, including gender neutral terminology.
- Consultation approach
The commercial vessel industry has diverse interests, business models and widespread geographic distribution. These elements are considered when developing new and amended regulations and standards. Consultation plays a critical role in the development of robust and fit-for-purpose regulation.
Consultation also plays an important role in ensuring safety standards and regulations address risks associated with commercial vessel operations and the impact of changes on other sectors.
To facilitate industry input, AMSA established a public consultation process, requesting the public to comment on the revised draft order through a period of six weeks. During this period, stakeholders were contacted by email and invited to comment.Public consultation on the MO57 review took place between 23 March 2026 and 4 May 2026. A copy of the draft MO57 was placed on the AMSA website for public comment.
Notification of public consultation was also emailed to around 100 stakeholders including service providers, vessel operators, seafarer representative and welfare organisations, industry, associations, unions, registered training organisations, ex-Shipping Consultative Forum members, marine pilotage groups and relevant government departments and agencies inviting them to comment.
AMSA received one submission with two comments during the public consultation period.
- Issues arising from feedback and AMSA's response
AMSA did not identify any significant issues through the consultation. The submission with two comments raised issues concerning landing and winching area, and load information about deck surface. The submission was considered during the preparation of the final Marine Order, and minor amendments were made to sections 9 and 11. These comments and AMSA’s responses are outlined below.
1. Format for documenting divergence from recommendations
There was uncertainty about where and in what form divergence from recommendations should be documented, related to paragraph 9(1)(c) of the order.
Response: AMSA added a note under section 9 of the order to provide clarity on where any divergence from recommendations may be documented.
2. Load information readily available to whom
There was uncertainty about to whom the deck surface capacity load information should be readily available and in what format, in relation to paragraph 11(1)(b) of the order.
Response: AMSA amended paragraphs 11(1)(a) and (b) of the order to provide clarity on the information required and that the information should be readily available to the master for dissemination as required.
Download report
Contact
AMSA will update relevant website guidance after this date.
If you require further information, please contact AMSA Connect.