News and media releases

Discover the latest developments and news updates from AMSA. See our information for journalists and members of the media.

AMSA responding to disabled vessel in Queensland

Published 12/01/2015

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is responding to a general cargo vessel, experiencing mechanical issues near the Great Barrier Reef.

AMSA bans third vessel from Australian ports

Published 09/01/2015

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued a direction to Indonesian flagged multipurpose ship MV Meratus Sangatta (IMO 9116797) not to enter or use any port in Australia for three months.

100 per cent success rate for students in latest fishing operations course

Published 23/12/2014

All 12 Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal participants of the latest seafood industry course offered as part of the Torres Strait Maritime Pathways Project (TSMPP) have successfully completed the five week course.

Four people rescued from yacht in NSW

Published 12/12/2014

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has coordinated the rescue of four people from a yacht, about 14 nautical miles east of Evans Head in New South Wales.

Busy weekend for Search and Rescue: AMSA coordinates rescue of 12 people

Published 01/12/2014

AMSA Search and Rescue coordinated the search and rescue of 12 people across the country yesterday.

IMO-adopted shipping routes in effect from next week

Published 28/11/2014

A two-way shipping route in Queensland's Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and Torres Strait has been formalised by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and will be in effect from 1 December 2014.

Two-way shipping routes to be introduced at Jomard Entrance, Papua New

Published 26/11/2014

A new ship routeing system will come into effect on 1 June, 2015 at Papua New Guinea’s Jomard Entrance.

AMSA bans repeat offender from Australian ports

Published 25/11/2014

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued a direction to Indonesian flagged container ship Territory Trader (IMO 8812899) not to enter or use any port in Australia for three months.

Search concludes based on expert medical advice

Published 25/11/2014

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has concluded the search for a missing cruise ship passenger based on expert medical advice regarding his survivability.

Helicopter emergency landing in far north Queensland

Published 24/11/2014

Two men were lucky to escape with only minor injuries after their helicopter suffered engine failure on Saturday, 22 November.

Bulk carrier owner and master fined for Queensland garbage disposal

Published 21/11/2014

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has prosecuted China Earth Shipping Incorporated, the owners of Panama flagged bulk carrier Xin Tai Hai and its master after it disposed of garbage near Gladstone in June last year.

Delegates ship in as Maritime 2014 conference begins in Melbourne

Published 10/11/2014

More than 400 delegates will attend the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Maritime 2014: Ship to Shore conference in Melbourne from Monday to Wednesday.

Solo kayaker rescued east of Coffs Harbour

Published 08/11/2014

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has coordinated the search and rescue of a solo kayaker off northern New South Wales.

Perth volunteers become AMSA’s eyes in the sky

Published 07/11/2014

A group of State Emergency Service volunteers from the Perth area will be trained in air search observation with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) this weekend (8-9 November 2014).

Marine safety workshops introduced into Torres Strait schools

Published 06/11/2014

A series of workshops teaching school children about marine safety commenced last week in the Poruma Island and Warraber Island campuses of Tagai State College.

Maps provided to Montara Commission of Inquiry

Published 24/10/2014

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) provided all maps and spatial material to the Montara Commission of Inquiry, including the maps released in response to a Freedom of Information request by the Australian Lawyers Alliance.

GPS week counter rollover—6 April 2019

Published 20/03/2019

Now is a good time to check your system—particularly if it's an older one.

LED lighting found to interfere with VHF-FM radio and AIS reception

Published 18/03/2019

The United States Coast Guard has sounded the alarm over the potential for light-emitting diode (LED) lighting on vessels to compromise reception on VHF frequencies used for radiotelephone, Digital Selective Calling and Automatic Identification System.

Women in maritime

Published 08/03/2019

Women have made significant contributions to the maritime industry even though only representing two percent of the world's documented 1.2 million seafarers.

Pollution and safety go hand in hand

Published 27/02/2019

Vessel owners and operators are the best people to assess the specific types of risks in their operation and work out the best way to address the risks.

Top of Point Moore lighthouse after external painting with red and white stripes

Shining a light on Point Moore Lighthouse refurbishment

Published 22/02/2019

The distinctive red and white candy stripes of Geraldton’s iconic Point Moore Lighthouse are glistening brighter than ever from a fresh lick of paint ahead of an internal refurbishment.

Air emissions survey

Published 22/02/2019

We are conducting a survey to better understand air emissions from vessels in Australian waters and help with oil pollution emergency response planning.

The Australian Wooden Boat festival

Published 20/02/2019

The biennial Australian Wooden Boat Festival is being held in Hobart, Tasmania from 8-11 February 2019.

Prepare to survive: Know the five

Published 20/02/2019

Maritime Safety Victoria (MSV) has partnered with AMSA to urge boaters and paddlers to carry a distress beacon.

A Sailor’s Valentine

Published 14/02/2019

For sailors of old who were often out to sea for long periods of time, giving a gift on Valentine's Day could be quite difficult.

New Queensland Coastal Passage Plan

Published 08/02/2019

AMSA has issued the latest Queensland Coastal Passage Plan (QCPP) that prepares vessels for transit through environmentally sensitive areas such as the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait.

Person in a spray painting suit spraying the hull of a vessel

Antifouling systems

Published 30/01/2019

Anti-fouling systems that contain organotin have been banned since 2008.

2019 Edition of the National Plan

Published 14/01/2019

The 2019 version of the National Plan for maritime environmental emergencies is now available.

December ship detentions

Published 14/01/2019

We detained six ships in December.

BOM’s Guidelines for weather safety for domestic commercial vessels

Published 04/01/2019

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) have worked with us to create weather safety advice for domestic commercial vessels.

Marine safety technology tracks spawning coral slicks

Published 02/01/2019

Marine science and safety shared a birds-eye view of a natural phenomenon on the Great Barrier Reef when Australia’s two leading marine agencies joined forces to track ocean currents.

New marine notices

Published 20/12/2018

We have issued two marine notices this week. They concern limiting sulphur emissions in Sydney Harbour and the importance of accurate information when calculating vessel stability.

2020 Search and rescue awards

Published 29/09/2020

The winners of the 2020 Search and rescue awards have been announced.

Tender operations

Published 07/08/2019

There are special arrangements for vessels which meet the definition of ‘tender’ under the national...

Have your say—proposed changes to domestic commercial vessel seafarer certificates

Published 05/08/2019

We want your feedback on proposed changes to Australian near coastal seafarer certificates.

Register for an SMS Workshop—locations across the country

Published 01/08/2019

Register now for a safety management system (SMS) workshop.

Working Boats issue 16 is now available

Published 31/07/2019

The July 2019 edition of Working Boats shines a spotlight on creating safe workplaces, as well as...

AMSA update July edition

Published 30/07/2019

Catch up on maritime news this month.

People in maritime—Justine Arnold

Published 30/07/2019

Another article in our series of people in maritime. This time we talk to marine scientist Justine...

Reviewing our approach to how we develop standards for domestic commercial vessels

Published 23/07/2019

To ensure standards remain fit for purpose for the domestic industry, we are reviewing our approach...

Have your say on managing the risk of fatigue

Published 18/07/2019

Are you concerned about fatigue while working at sea?

People in maritime—Dr Kirsten Abernethy

Published 18/07/2019

We have published another article in our series of people in maritime.

e-Navigation Underway 2019 Asia-Pacific—an annual regional conference

Published 17/07/2019

The 2019 e-navigation Underway Asia-Pacific Conference is being held from 2-3 September 2019

24 seafarers rescued off the coast of Western Australia

Published 16/07/2019

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has coordinated the successful rescue of 24...

Reduce your impact on the marine environment

Published 15/07/2019

The marine environment is a precious natural asset.

Shipping plan aims to deliver improved marine protection

Published 15/07/2019

AMSA has released the 2019 Review of the North-East Shipping Management Plan (NESMP) to enhance the...

Grand dame celebrates 160 years

Published 15/07/2019

Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse, one of Australia’s magnificent heritage light stations still in...

Catamaran capsize off the Newcastle coast

Published 11/07/2019

AMSA has completed search and rescue operations following the capsize of a catamaran in rough seas...

Australian Autonomous Vessel Forum 2019

Published 10/07/2019

We want to talk to people about the regulation of autonomous and remotely operated vessels, and...