News and media releases

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

Media Statement: Australia re-elected to International Maritime Organization

Published 02/12/2013

Over the weekend Australia was re-elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reflecting our key role in international shipping.

AMSA seafarer qualification applications now more convenient

Published 26/11/2013

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has introduced a new method for Australian seafarers to apply for qualifications, to reduce errors and application processing times.

Three men rescued from sinking boat south of Innisfail

Published 18/11/2013

Three men were rescued from their sinking boat near Lindquist Island in far north Queensland last night after activating their distress beacon.

Victorians recognised with national search and rescue award

Published 07/11/2013

A Lorne police officer and a Victorian man have been recognised for their heroism in rescuing a 12-year-old boy earlier this year with the 2013 Australian Search and Rescue Award.

Perth SES volunteers to take part in AMSA air observation course this weekend

Published 01/11/2013

A group of Perth State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers will be trained in air search observation with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) this weekend (2-3 November).

Distress beacon key in rescue of survivors of Bass Strait ultralight ditching

Published 29/10/2013

The rescue of two survivors from an ultralight aircraft forced to ditch in the Banks Strait, 102 kilometres north-east of Launceston, highlights the vital need for distress beacons and safety preparedness.

Four false alarm incidents traced to outdated 121.5MHZ distress beacons

Published 25/10/2013

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is advising 121.5MHz distress beacon owners to dispose of their outdated beacons appropriately and switch to 406MHz beacons after four false alarms over the past seven days.

Search for missing aircraft concluded

Published 24/10/2013

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has concluded the search for an overdue aircraft which left Moruya in NSW for Mangalore in Victoria on Wednesday morning 23 October 2013.

Beware of a maritime security ID card and job scam

Published 16/10/2013

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) urges people to beware of a scam offering overseas residents a Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC) and Australian visas to gain jobs with cruise companies.

Rescue of motorcyclists in Simpson Desert

Published 09/10/2013

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is conducting a rescue of two motorcyclists who are stranded in the Simpson Desert, 440 kilometres south east of Alice Springs.

Challenging search and rescue a timely reminder to carry beacon

Published 01/10/2013

The rescue of two French nationals whose yacht sank on Sunday is a timely reminder to all recreational boaters to carry a distress beacon on their vessels.

AMSA Search and Rescue Officers take part in flight exercise

Published 05/09/2013

A distress beacon is detected and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Australia) springs into action to identify the location and the nature of the distress.

Cairns SES volunteers to take part in AMSA air observation course this weekend

Published 30/08/2013

Eighteen of Cairns State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers will be trained in air search observation with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) this weekend (31 August—1 September).

Visit Victoria’s lighthouses during International Lighthouse Weekend

Published 13/08/2013

More than 350 lighthouses populate Australia’s coastal areas with 300 of these under the operation of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

Visit NSW lighthouses to mark International Lighthouse Weekend

Published 13/08/2013

More than 350 lighthouses populate Australia’s coastal areas with 300 of these under the operation of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

Visit Cape Borda Lighthouse during International Lighthouse Weekend

Published 13/08/2013

More than 350 lighthouses populate Australia’s coastal areas with 300 of these under the operation of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

Safety management resource kit launched

Published 01/06/2015

In May we launched the Risk and Safety Management Workshop Resource Kit in Hobart. In partnership with the Australian Maritime College, the kit is designed to help commercial vessel operators and crew tailor a safety management system for their operation.

AMSA to deliver full range of services for domestic maritime industry

Published 29/05/2015

Transport Ministers representing all states and territories decided in November 2014 that the Australian Maritime Safety Authority will assume responsibility for full delivery of services and funding for domestic commercial vessels by July 2019, with a two year transition period commencing in July 2017.

16th Asia-Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies session held in China

Published 29/04/2015

The 16th session of the Asia-Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies (APHoMSA) forum was held in Shenzhen, China from 21-23 April 2015, bringing together senior maritime officials from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss issues of mutual interest.

(L-R): Ms Jane Halton PSM, Secretary of the Department of Finance; the Hon. Michael McCormack MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance; Alex Schultz-Altmann, Manager, Ship Inspection and Registration, Ship Safety Division, AMSA

AMSA wins risk management award

Published 24/04/2015

On Thursday 16 April 2015, AMSA was presented with an award as a joint winner in the Australian Government Department of Finance Comcover Awards for Excellence in Risk Management.

The plaque unveiling ceremony: (L-R) Karl Rowbottom, one of the last lighthouse keepers on the island; Elaine Bell, great granddaughter of George Johnston (the first lighthouse superintendent); and Carol Jackson

Tasman Island Lighthouse Open Day

Published 21/04/2015

On Saturday 11 April AMSA supervised the opening of the Tasman Island lighthouse to the public. The lighthouse was built in 1906 from prefabricated cast iron pieces shipped from Birmingham UK and hauled by horse up the 200-metre cliff face.

AMSA Marine Surveyor Tat Yeung instructs officers participating in the port State control course

AMSA surveyors provide maritime safety support to Indonesia

Published 30/03/2015

AMSA is continuing to work with the Indonesian Directorate General of Sea Transportation (DGST) to provide maritime safety support consistent with the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control in the Asia-Pacific Region (known as the Tokyo MOU).

AMSA Search and Rescue Officers manning our stand at the airshow

Come visit us at the Australian International Airshow!

Published 26/02/2015

If you're visiting the Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport, Victoria over the next few days, make sure you stop by the AMSA stand in Exhibition Hall 1 and talk to one of our Search and Rescue Officers.

L-R): Peter Young, MRCC Honiara; Australian Government workers Maria and Stuart; and Enest Legumana, MRCC Honiara

AMSA donates laptops to regional partner

Published 06/02/2015

AMSA’s Emergency Response Division recently donated laptops and docking stations to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Honiara, Solomon Islands.

David Penny meeting with the Director General of Sea Transportation

Australia-Indonesia maritime cooperation continues

Published 06/02/2015

Australia's close cooperation with Indonesia continues in multiple areas of common interest. David Penny, Manager Ship Safety Division North & East, undertook a mission to Indonesia from 25-31 January as part of a regular program of coordination in the delivery of the Indonesia Transport Safety Assistance Package (ITSAP) program.

AMSA conducts ship safety training in Indonesia

Published 25/01/2015

As part of the Australian Government’s Indonesian Transport Safety Assistance Package (ITSAP), AMSA regularly provides port State control (PSC) training in cooperation with the Indonesian Directorate General of Sea Transport (DGST).

The Captain and crew of MV Xinfa Hai with AMSA Surveyor Greg Collinson, Newcastle

AMSA thanks MV Xinfa Hai for towing stricken cargo ship

Published 19/01/2015

On Friday, AMSA presented the Master and crew of MV Xinfa Hai with a plaque and certificate of recognition for outstanding seamanship after successfully taking the stricken cargo ship MV Thor Commander under tow.

AMSA's aviation search and rescue officers on shift on 8 December 2014

AMSA celebrates International Civil Aviation Day

Published 07/12/2014

On 7 December 1944, delegates from 54 nations gathered in the Grand Ballroom of the Stevens Hotel in Chicago at the invitation of the USA. Australia was one of the inaugural participants.

Navigational MSI to be broadcast 30 minutes earlier on HF radio from today

Published 30/11/2014

AMSA assists with regional pollution prevention workshop

Published 25/11/2014

A three-day regional training workshop on MARPOL Annex VI- Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from International Shipping was held in Apia, Samoa from 19-21 November 2014.

Allan Schwartz, General Manager Ship Safety Division, AMSA; presents the Seafarers’ Welfare Award to Peter Keyte, General Manager Trade Services, Port of Brisbane; and Sister Mary Leahy

Industry recognised at annual shipping awards

Published 24/11/2014

Last Wednesday night around 350 industry representatives attended Lloyd’s List Australia’s 19th Australian Shipping and Maritime Industry Awards in Sydney.

Aunty Phyllis and Stan (centre) the longest and shortest serving Aboriginal and Torres Strait training staff, with Jarrod and Steve from AMC

The long and the short of Indigenous trainers

Published 20/11/2014

The Australian Maritime College (AMC), in support of the Torres Strait Marine Safety Program (TSMSP), recently announced a significant appointment in the highly successful program.

Safety—you've got to learn it

Published 01/10/2020

Just like on our roads, the use of boats and other vessels on the water demands that we abide by...

Update 3 and final: Search for missing gyrocopter ends

Published 20/04/2018

The search for a gyrocopter reported missing on a flight between Bundaberg and Yeppoon has...

Consultation on proposed changes to operational safety requirements for domestic commercial vessels

Published 17/04/2018

We are seeking your comments on the proposed changes to certificates of operation and the...

Release of the draft domestic commercial vessel levy rules and fees

Published 17/04/2018

The Department welcomes written submissions by Monday 30 April 2018.

Authorities team up for search and rescue training exercise off Perth

Published 12/04/2018

A major search and rescue training exercise has taken place off Rottnest Island in Western...

Bottom of the Port State control report 2018 cover. Collage of port photo and geometric designs.

Port State control report 2017

Published 11/04/2018

The Port State Control (PSC) Report for the 2017 calendar year is now available.

Vessel garbage management survey

Published 11/04/2018

Have your say in our survey about mariners on ships’ garbage management practices onboard their...

Latest Maritime Safety Awareness Bulletin available

Published 28/03/2018

Issue 7 of the Maritime Safety Awareness Bulletin focuses on mental health among seafarers—an area...

Container ship MSC Kia Ora banned from Australian ports

Published 26/03/2018

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has today banned the Liberian-flagged container...

Correcting the record—Montara

Published 22/03/2018

Morning update: Search for missing helicopter pilot off Port Hedland

Published 16/03/2018

Search operations for a missing helicopter pilot off Port Hedland will resume this morning,...

AMSA’s search ends for missing helicopter pilot off Port Hedland

Published 16/03/2018

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has suspended its search operations for a missing...

Search for missing pilot after helicopter ditches off Port Hedland in WA

Published 15/03/2018

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is coordinating a search and rescue operation about...

Update: Search for missing helicopter pilot off Port Hedland

Published 15/03/2018

Search operations for a missing helicopter pilot off Port Hedland will be suspended at last light...

New garbage record books from 1 March 2018

Published 01/03/2018

For vessels required to use garbage record books, please note that they need to be in the new...

Update to exemption 06—periodic survey, equipment certification and compass adjustment

Published 26/02/2018

Exemption 06 allows vessel owners apply to us for an extension of time for certain surveys.

Update to exemption 07—temporary operations

Published 26/02/2018

Exemption 07 allows vessel owners to apply to AMSA to operate temporarily without a certificate of...