Fatigue remains one of the most significant hazards in domestic commercial vessel (DCV) operations.
It affects everyone from the master to the newest crew member and must be treated just like any other hazard in the safety management system (SMS).
When not properly managed, fatigue can lead to mistakes, accidents, and serious long-term health impacts. In the worst cases, it can have catastrophic consequences for vessels, their crew, passengers and the surrounding marine environment.
Fatigue management works best when everyone is involved.
Owners of Class 1, 2 and 3 domestic commercial vessels must address fatigue risks in their SMS by identifying when and why crew may become fatigued and documenting how those risks will be controlled in a fatigue risk management plan.
Owners should also include crew in planning, as crew are often the first to notice pressures or early signs of fatigue. Their input is essential for developing and implementing practical and effective fatigue risk controls.
How to manage fatigue
- Understand fatigue
Owners, masters and crew need to be well trained in identifying and managing the risks of fatigue. Learn about crew fatigue. - Manage fatigue risks through proper planning
Vessel owner addresses fatigue risks in the SMS risk assessment and develops a fatigue risk management plan. - Implement
Put the plan into operation by training the master and crew in the agreed procedures. - Monitor
Monitor how well the plan is working in consultation with the master and crew. - Review
Once implemented and trialled, review the plan and make necessary changes to make sure fatigue is managed properly in your operation.
Resources
- Guidelines for a safety management system (including fatigue requirements)
- How to write a fatigue risk management plan PDF478.43 KB
- Scenarios and examples of fatigue risk management plans
- Fatigue risk management checklist PDF266.5 KB
- Questions and answers.
Explore AMSA’s fatigue resources at amsa.gov.au/fatigue
Register for our webinar: Fatigue management on domestic commercial vessels
When: Wednesday 6 May 2026, 2:30 – 3:15pm AEST
Where: Online via Microsoft Teams. We will send you a link to attend the webinar the day before it starts.
At the webinar you will hear about:
- the causes of fatigue
- recognising fatigue
- managing fatigue
- who is responsible for managing fatigue.
AMSA’s fatigue experts will be joining the Q&A session.