News and updates

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Upcoming changes: drug and alcohol policy

Published
From 1 June 2025, all domestic commercial vessel (DCV) operators, including hire and drive…
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Out now! Maritime Safety Awareness Bulletin issue 21 - Managing risks

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The latest issue of the Maritime Safety Awareness Bulletin focuses on managing risks on vessels.
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International safety alert: rise in cargo transport unit structural failures on ships

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We have issued a safety alert to raise awareness of the structural and stowage requirements for…
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Coming soon: simplified safety management system for smaller domestic vessels

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From 1 June 2025, a simplified safety management system (SMS) will be available for smaller, less…
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Working together to enhance maritime safety in the Torres Strait

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AMSA's Safety Advisor, Desley Thompson, travelled to Torres Strait communities in February to…
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Watch our first SMS webinar: fatigue risk management

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AMSA recently hosted the first webinar in our safety management system (SMS) series, focusing on
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Upcoming changes: drug and alcohol policy

Published
From 1 June 2025, all domestic commercial vessel (DCV) operators, includ
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January 2025 marine incident report and safety lesson

Published
There were 110 reported marine incidents involving domestic commercial vessels in January.
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Have your say: proposed changes relating to international load lines and tonnage conventions

Published
We want your feedback on proposed changes to Marine Order 16 (Load lines) 2014 (MO16) and Marine…
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safety recall notice for Halkey Roberts 3F Single Point Manual inflators in lifejackets 

Safety recall: Halkey Roberts 3F Single Point Manual inflators in lifejackets

Published
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a safety recall for certain…
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safety recall notice for KP-16 rocket parachute flares

Safety recall: Rocket Parachute Flares KP-16

Published
Kokusai Kakoh company has issued a safety recall for its Rocket Parachute Flares KP-16. This is due…
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Register for our webinar: upcoming changes to fatigue risk management

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AMSA is running a webinar series on the new safety management system (SMS) requirements. Our first…
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Marine Order 91 changes allow for electronic oil record books and UNSP barge exemption

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Changes to
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AMSA and Fair Work Ombudsman Join Forces to Tackle Wage Theft on Foreign-Flagged Vessels

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The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), in collaboration with the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO…
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National Law general exemptions set to expire on 30 June 2025

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If you hold of one of these exemptions, you will need to take steps before 30 June 2025.
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November 2024 Incident report news banner indicating 90 incidents reported, 19 of which were serious incidents

November 2024 marine incident report and monthly safety lesson

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There were 90 reported marine incidents involving domestic commercial vessels in November.
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New Marine Order 11 to improve seafarers’ living and working conditions

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From the 23 December 2023, the updated Marine Order 11 (Living and working conditions on vessels) (…
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Upcoming changes to SMS requirements — What you need to know

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From 1 June 2025, new safety management system (SMS) requirements will come into effect for…
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Watertight and weathertight integrity in focus for ships visiting Australian ports

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Port State Control inspection data shows that watertight and weathertight integrity remains a per
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Australia joins plastics fight coalition

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Australia has joined the international High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution by 2040.
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Incident report banner image March 2023 - 90 incidents reports, 27 serious, 2 very serious

March 2023 marine incident report and monthly safety lesson

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There were 90 reported incidents involving domestic commercial vessels this month.
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Progress towards preventing marine plastic litter

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We are pleased to see progress on measures to address shipping's contribution to the global issue…
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Consultation feedback report now available — changes to operational safety requirements

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Between November 2022 and January 2023, we consulted on changes to Marine Order 504, which contains…
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Preventing marine plastic litter

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Australia has consolidated a leadership role on addressing marine plastic litter at the…
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Shipboard navigation, communications and search and rescue at sea on the agenda at IMO

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Australia will play an active role in discussions starting this week at the International Maritime…
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AMSA's Safety Liaison Advisor, Desley Thompson

Reconciliation Week 2023: Generational safety on the water

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Meet Desley Thompson, AMSA's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Safety Liaison Advisor.
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Keeping safe on Sea Country

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National Reconciliation Week is 27 May to 3 June this year.
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Changes to operational safety requirements

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On 1 August 2023, new requirements will come into force which will improve operational safety.
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incident report April 2023 - 80 incidents reported, 16 serious, 1 very serious

April 2023 marine incident report and monthly safety lesson

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There were 80 reported incidents involving domestic commercial vessels in April.
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Australia co-hosts Asia-Pacific Heads of Maritime Agencies forum with Mongolia

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This week Australia is hosting the annual Asia Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies (APHoMSA)…
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World Ocean Day 2023-supporting a sustainable global maritime industry

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The oceans play a crucial role in supporting human livelihoods, providing jobs and income for…
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2023 Asia-Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies (APHoMSA) forum

Asia-Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies forum concludes

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The 2023 Asia-Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies (APHoMSA) forum, co-hosted by Australia and…
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AMSA represents Australia in international maritime safety discussions

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New technology in the maritime sector was a focus of recent international discussions.
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AMSA CEO Mick Kinley and Director General of Sea Transportation Indonesia, Arif Toha

Australia and Indonesia collaborate to enhance maritime safety and ship inspection

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Last Wednesday AMSA CEO Mick Kinley handed over the completion of two new facilities to Mr Arif…
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Fees for service rising from 1 July 2023

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Domestic commercial vessel safety fees will go up in price from 1 July 2023.
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Supporting seafarers to care for the seas

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Today is the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Day of the Seafarer and we are proud to…
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