News and media releases

Discover the latest developments and news updates from AMSA.

For media releases, please see the new AMSA Media Centre.

Rescue operation for solo yachtsman near Tasmania continues

Published 19/01/2013

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is coordinating a rescue operation for a solo yachtsman who has abandoned his vessel and is in a life raft south west of Tasmania, now into its second day.

Rescue operation for solo yachtsman near Tasmania into second day

Published 19/01/2013

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is coordinating a rescue operation for a solo yachtsman south west of Tasmania, now into its second day.

Rescue operation for solo yachtsman continues near Tasmania

Published 18/01/2013

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is coordinating a rescue operation for a solo yachtsman south west of Tasmania.

Search and rescue operation for solo yachtsman underway near Tasmania

Published 18/01/2013

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is coordinating a search and rescue operation for a solo yachtsman south west of Tasmania.

AMSA investigates source of canisters in Queensland

Published 11/01/2013

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has used current modelling to determine the canisters washing ashore in Queensland are likely to have originated as an accidental cargo loss from a vessel outside the Great Barrier Reef.

AMSA investigates source of canisters in Queensland

Published 08/01/2013

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is gathering information to try to determine the original source of the canisters containing Aluminium Phosphide which have been collected on Queensland’s beaches.

Joint media release: AMSA and CSIRO join forces to improve maritime incident response

Published 18/12/2012

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and CSIRO are joining forces to tackle major maritime pollution incidents.

Improving response to marine pollution emergencies

Published 12/12/2012

The search is underway for new emergency towage services to help manage maritime pollution incidents around Australia.

Three fishermen rescued in North Queensland after boat capsize

Published 05/12/2012

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has coordinated a rescue of three fishermen off the coast of Weipa this morning after their fishing vessel sank.

Ship’s master and owners fined for pollution in Great Barrier Reef

Published 04/12/2012

The master and owners of bulk carrier Hope Star have been fined and had criminal convictions recorded following the illegal dumping of garbage in the Great Barrier Reef.

Joint media release: Historic Victorian lighthouse celebrates 150 years of service

Published 30/11/2012

One of Victoria’s oldest and most significant lighthouses, the Gabo Island Lighthouse, turns 150 today.

Cruise ship company fined for occupational safety breaches

Published 08/11/2012

Coral Princess Cruises has been fined $180,000 following the death of a crewman after he was trapped by a powered door while working on Oceanic Discoverer in 2009.

AMSA Community Information Day in Brisbane

Published 07/11/2012

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is taking the opportunity to meet people in Brisbane who work in the maritime sector and showcase a number of changes that will be taking place in 2013.

AMSA Community Information Days begin this week

Published 05/11/2012

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is taking the opportunity to meet Australians who work in the maritime sector and showcase a number of changes that will be taking place in 2013.

Aids to Navigation training seminars and management discussions to be held in Australia

Published 05/11/2012

International representatives tasked with maintaining the world’s aids to navigation will be in Australia for two weeks for training and discussions aimed at enhancing global navigational safety.

AMSA welcomes ATSB review of coastal pilotage and improvements to shipping safety

Published 24/10/2012

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) today welcomes the release of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report into Queensland coastal pilotage.

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.

Group of people standing on the steps outside a building

Working Boats magazine issue 14 is now available

Published 18/12/2018

Driving positive change.

Phone scam alert

Published 13/12/2018

If you receive an automated call pretending to be from AMSA—it is a scam. We do not use automated calling.

Tell us what you think—electrical safety on board your vessel

Published 12/12/2018

To improve electrical safety on board, we are proposing a simplified set of standards to meet electrical design, construction, installation and repair requirements for your vessel. Consultation open to 28 February.

AMSA services over the Christmas holiday break

Published 12/12/2018

AMSA offices are closed during the period Tuesday 25 December 2018 to Tuesday 1 January 2019 inclusive. We will reopen on Wednesday 2 January 2019.

Have your say—alternatives to carrying a float-free EPIRB, for vessels less than 7.5 metres

Published 12/12/2018

We are seeking your feedback on alternative options to carrying a float-free EPIRB on domestic commercial vessels less than 7.5 metres long without level flotation, operating in offshore or restricted offshore waters.

April incidents

Published 04/12/2018

53 incidents have been reported during the month of April—seven were serious.

Chemicals on board your boat

Published 04/12/2018

Beware of chemicals on board your boat... protect the marine environment.

Warning—third party businesses offering assistance with AMSA business services

Published 28/11/2018

AMSA is aware that third party businesses are advertising services relating to Australian ship registration. These services include all ship registration related transactions offered by AMSA, including lodging applications and requests on behalf of ship owners.

Australia's lighthouse network

Published 22/11/2018

We are responsible for maintaining lighthouses and other aids to navigation at 388 sites around the 37,600 kilometres of Australia’s coastline.

Reduce your impact on the marine environment

Published 19/11/2018

Oil is toxic to marine life. It smothers wildlife and damages habitats such as mangroves, seagrasses, corals, rock outcrops, and beaches.

Seacare Authority mental health workshop

Published 15/11/2018

The Seacare Authority will be holding a mental health workshop in Perth, on 20 November 2018.

The Dunbar shipwreck near Macquarie Lighthouse

Published 14/11/2018

The most infamous shipwreck near Macquarie Lighthouse was the clipper Dunbar.

AMSA officer looking up at Macquarie light inside the lighthouse

Macquarie's shining light

Published 12/11/2018

The light of the Macquarie lighthouse can shine 48 kilometres out to sea—more than the distance of a marathon.

Release of AMSA Compliance Strategy 2023-27

Published 31/01/2023

As evidence of its commitment to transparency and collaboration with industry, the Australian...

Fishing for safety video release

Published 22/08/2019

We are pleased to announce the official release of the video Fishing for Safety: Creating a Safety...

People in maritime—Senior Constable Jodie Rowell

Published 22/08/2019

For this edition of people in maritime, we talk to Senior Constable Jodie Rowell.

People in maritime—Megan Arnott

Published 19/08/2019

Another article in our series of people in maritime. This time we talk to Megan Arnott who started...

July incident report

Published 19/08/2019

Nine serious incidents were reported during July 2019.

Tender process starts for YM Efficiency container salvage operation

Published 09/08/2019

AMSA has taken the next step in the ongoing battle to clean-up containers lost overboard from the...

Tender now open for YM Efficiency salvage

Published 09/08/2019

Preparations are underway to secure a contract for recovery of containers that fell overboard...

Opening of our Coffs Harbour office

Published 09/08/2019

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael...

IMO Secretary-General visits Australia

Published 07/08/2019

We were honoured last week to host a visit from Mr Kitack Lim, the International Maritime...

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?