News and media releases

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

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 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).

Visit Bustard Head Lighthouse 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 a West Australian 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).

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).

Restoration works near completion at Cape Don lighthouse

Published 02/08/2013

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) restoration of the Cape Don Lighthouse near Darwin is approaching the halfway mark.

Shipping management plan for Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait and Coral Sea available for public comment

Published 02/08/2013

The Australian Government has released its plan for managing shipping traffic ahead of projected increases in the Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait and Coral Sea and is beginning public consultation ahead of its implementation.

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

Published 02/08/2013

A dozen of Darwin’s State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers will be trained in air search observation with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) this weekend (3-4 August).

AMSA's response to WA Coroner's report on Kaniva sinking

Published 01/08/2013

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has carefully considered the WA Coroner’s findings and recommendations following the inquest into the Kaniva sinking in June 2012.

AMSA's response to WA coronial inquest into Kaniva

Published 31/07/2013

The inquest conducted by the WA Coroner, Alistair Hope, into the circumstances surrounding the capsizing of the vessel Kaniva south of Java in June 2012 has concluded.

Emergency towage contracts for Marine Pollution Response awarded

Published 31/07/2013

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has awarded new emergency towage contracts to continue to assist in the management of maritime pollution incidents around Australia.

Restoration works near completion at Charles Point lighthouse

Published 30/07/2013

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) restoration of the Charles Point Lighthouse near Darwin is now close to completion.

Navigation experts converge on Darwin for international symposium

Published 29/07/2013

Experts in navigation systems from across Australia and overseas are in Darwin this week for the triennial Navigation Symposium NAV 2013.

Response to Sun Herald article

Published 28/07/2013

The story in today’s Sun-Herald Agency Waited for Boat Debris Before Search (page 4) and other Fairfax newspapers misrepresent facts provided to Fairfax media under Freedom of Information laws.

Divers find their vessel semi submerged 41 km North East of Darwin

Three distress beacons in four hours, thirteen people rescued

Published 12/07/2014

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority responded to three separate emergency beacon activations yesterday, resulting in the rescue of 13 people.

First session of the IMO’s Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue Sub-Committee

Published 09/07/2014

AMSA represented Australia at the first session of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue Sub-Committee (NCSR) held in London from 30 June to 4 July.

IMO adopts a new two-way route in the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait

Published 27/06/2014

On 23 May, the 93rd session of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 93) adopted a new two-way route in the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait.

Day of the Seafarer

Published 24/06/2014

The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Day of the Seafarer was celebrated on 25 June, the event’s fourth year.

Positive outcomes from the 93rd Session of IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee

Published 16/06/2014

The 93rd session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 93) was held from 14–23 May 2014 at the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Headquarters in London, United Kingdom.

Australia re-elected to IALA Council

Published 15/06/2014

Australia was re-elected to the governing Council of IALA, the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities, at its General Assembly on 31 May 2014.

Students receiving instruction in handling and packaging seafood products

Torres Strait Maritime Pathways Project heads to Tasmania

Published 28/05/2014

A group of 12 local students left the warmth of the Torres Strait for the colder climates of Launceston, Tasmania last weekend.

AMSA’s IPAA Annual Report Award shown in front of the 2012-13 online report

AMSA’s annual report recognised at IPAA awards

Published 25/05/2014

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority's 2012–13 online annual report was recognised at last week’s Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) Annual Report Awards, taking home Highly Commended in the CAC Act category.

Protection of the Sea Levy to reduce

Published 19/05/2014

The Australian Government announced in the 2014 Budget that it will reduce the rate of the Protection of the Sea Levy effective from 1 July 2014.

The human element in shipping

Published 18/05/2014

The maritime industry recognises the important role of the human element in maritime safety and is responding accordingly with increasing attention on human factors, training and qualifications.

Delegates at the 1st session of APHoMSA 2014

APHoMSA 2014—continuing to strengthen regional cooperation

Published 13/05/2014

The 15th session of the Asia-Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies (APHoMSA) forum was held in Fiji from 5 to 7 May 2014. APHoMSA brings together senior maritime officials from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss issues of mutual interest.

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss conducts a television interview at the Hervey Bay consultation session

Safety made simpler—streamlining sessions commence

Published 11/05/2014

On Friday 9 May AMSA commenced its National System streamlining consultation, hosting a session in Hervey Bay, Queensland.

Australian search and rescue aircraft training exercise, Indian Ocean

AMSA strengthens its search and rescue cooperation with our neighbouring regions

Published 08/05/2014

AMSA has signed another two international search and rescue (SAR) arrangements, both of which will improve SAR coordination and collaboration with countries in two of Australia’s most important neighbouring regions—the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean.

(L-R): Brendan Hodgson, Business Relations Officer, DFAT; Brad Groves, General Manager Navigation Safety & International Division, AMSA; the Hon. Alexander Downer, High Commissioner designate to the United Kingdom; Julian Mitchell, Manager Search and Resc

AMSA meets Australia’s new Permanent Representative to the IMO

Published 07/05/2014

AMSA met with Australia’s incoming Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Hon. Alexander Downer, in Melbourne on 5 May.

Swanson Dock swing basin, Port of Melbourn

Port of Melbourne Corporation leads the way as first VTS authority

Published 06/05/2014

The Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) is the first entity to be appointed as a vessel traffic services VTS) authority under the provisions of the Navigation Act 2012 and Marine Order 64 (Vessel traffic services) 2013.

Existing electronic navigational aids – a precursor to e-navigation

AMSA assists IMO at maritime forums in the Republic of Korea

Published 05/05/2014

The 8th International Maritime Forum and an International Maritime Organization (IMO) regional e-navigation seminar were held on 23 April (in Seoul) and 25 April 2014 (in the port city of Busan) respectively.

APL England incident update

Published 10/07/2020

On the 24th of May 2020 the container ship APL England enroute from China to Melbourne experienced...

Three rescued clinging to upturned boat off Western Australia

Published 12/10/2017

A distress beacon was central to a search and rescue operation off the township of Grey in Western...

Bulk Carrier caught underpaying crew

Published 14/09/2017

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has banned the Panama flagged bulk carrier DL...

Fisherman rescued in Gulf of Carpentaria

Published 26/08/2017

A fisherman is lucky to be alive after spending more than 12 hours in the water in the Gulf of...

MV Rena banned from Australian ports

Published 03/08/2017

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has banned the Bahamas flagged bulk carrier MV Rena from...

Outcomes from 71st session of Marine Environment Protection Committee

Published 31/07/2017

Reducing potentially harmful emissions from ships and preventing the spread of invasive species...

Cargo ship Kiunga Chief banned from Australian ports

Published 05/06/2017

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has banned the Papua New Guinea-flagged cargo ship...

Joint media release: Pilot missing near Murwillumbah found deceased

Published 18/05/2017

A search for a pilot reported missing on the Far North Coast has concluded with the wreckage of an...

AMSA consultation to streamline National System and reduce red tape—Newcastle

Published 07/05/2017

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Domestic Vessel Division will begin a thorough...

Maritime Casualty Officers workshop participants on board the MV Attikos

Maritime Casualty Officers workshop and training

Published 27/04/2017

AMSA Response hosted a Maritime Casualty Officers (MCO) workshop and training sessions in NSW...

AMSA presents award to MV Comet Ace Master and crew for rescue of MOB from MV Cape Spencer

Master and crew honoured for rescuing man over board

Published 12/04/2017

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has recognised the master and crew of Panama-...

Survivors recovered from Curtis Island helicopter crash

Published 19/03/2017

Two survivors have been recovered from a helicopter crash on Curtis Island in Queensland following...

South African nationals rescued from stricken yacht

Published 19/03/2017

Three South African nationals have been rescued from their stricken yacht in the southern Indian...

Two sailors rescued from yacht 210 NM from Sydney

Published 08/03/2017

In a joint operation between the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and NSW Police two...

Australia and Fiji work together to fix maritime navigation equipment damaged by Tropical Cyclone Winston

Published 07/02/2017

In February 2016, Fiji suffered the devastating effects of Tropical Cyclone Winston.

AMSA officers participate in forward field base training

Published 26/01/2017

We recently organised familiarisation visits and training for our Canberra and regional-based...

Solo sailor rescued in rough seas off Cape Howe

Published 21/01/2017

A solo yachtsman was winched to safety in the early hours of this morning in rough seas off the...