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 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 near Tasmania to continue through tonight

Published 19/01/2013

The rescue operation for a solo yachtsman who has abandoned his vessel and is in a life raft south west of Tasmania will continue throughout the night with aircraft remaining on scene to maintain communications with the sailor.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 Australia yesterday 11 April 2018 involving both state and federal authorities.

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 vessels.

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 of increasing concern.

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 ship MSC Kia Ora from Australian ports for three months after the operator failed to ensure crew were paid their wages in full and on time, and that critical equipment was maintained.

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 format from 1 March 2018.

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 survey, certificate of operation or load line certificate.

It’s business as usual until 1 July 2018

Published 20/02/2018

From 1 July 2018, we will deliver most services under the National System for Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety. Until then it’s business as usual—you can continue accessing services from your local marine safety agency.

Simplifying the vessel survey regime

Published 31/01/2018

Following public consultation on options for a future approach to the domestic commercial vessel survey regime, AMSA released the final Regulation Impact Statement (RIS)—Survey under the National System for Domestic Commercial Vessels.

Float free beacon attached to the frame of a vessel

Consultation on float-free EPIRB changes closed Friday 2 February

Published 30/01/2018

We've extended the consultation period for a further six weeks until Friday 2 February 2018 on the proposal to mandate the use of float-free emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs).

Yacht crew rescued in Bass Strait

Published 16/01/2018

Six crew members were rescued from their racing yacht Hollywood Boulevard on Sunday 14 January 2018 about 150 kilometres east of Flinders Island in Bass Strait.

We wish you a happy and safe holiday season

Published 22/12/2017

Our offices will be closed for the holidays from Saturday 23 December 2017 to Monday 1 January 2018, reopening on 2 January 2018.

Read the December issue of AMSA Aboard

Published 21/12/2017

The December issue of AMSA Aboard is now available.

New survey category

Published 20/12/2017

From 1 January 2018, domestic commercial vessel (DCV) owners can make certain changes to their 'existing vessel' without having to meet all the standards that apply to a 'new vessel'. Eligible vessels will become a 'transitional vessel'.

Rottnest Island Lighthouse shines bright on World AtoN Day

Published 29/06/2022

Rottnest Island’s iconic and much-loved lighthouse is in the spotlight today to celebrate World...

AMSA detains ship for Maritime Labour Convention breaches

Published 28/03/2019

AMSA has detained the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Anna Elisabeth after an inspection revealed a...

Makeover for Australia’s tallest lighthouse

Published 25/03/2019

Work underway at King Island’s mighty Cape Wickham Lighthouse.

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 (...

Women in maritime

Published 08/03/2019

Women have made significant contributions to the maritime industry even though only representing...

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...

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...

Air emissions survey

Published 22/02/2019

We are conducting a survey to better understand air emissions from vessels in Australian waters and...

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...

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...

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...

New Queensland Coastal Passage Plan

Published 08/02/2019

AMSA has issued the latest Queensland Coastal Passage Plan (QCPP) that prepares vessels for transit...

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...